Rugby Union Dec 07, 2025

Gallagher Prem: Bath move top of table as Henry Arundell scores late to earn 36-29 win over Saracens

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Gallagher Prem: Bath move top of table as Henry Arundell scores late to earn 36-29 win over Saracens

Bath emerged from the international break with a 36-29 victory over Saracens that propelled them two points clear at the top of the Gallagher Prem.

With the title rivals on course for a 29-29 draw, Henry Arundell pounced by running in his second try in the 76th minute having also opened the scoring for the champions with an early intercept.

The decisive moment was made possible by the wing's England team-mate Max Ojomoh, a final-quarter replacement who skilfully caught Finn Russell's low pass and charged forward before timing the final pass to perfection.

Ojomoh was the matchwinner in England's victory over Argentina a week ago and this was another influential performance from the playmaker who is hoping to retain his Test place in the Six Nations.

It completed an impressive comeback from Bath given they only took the lead for the first time in the 54th minute and had to respond after falling 14-0 behind following a lacklustre start.

Saracens seemed unstoppable as they plundered tries on each of their first two visits to the 22, Max Malins and Juan Martin Gonzalez rounding off precise and ambitious attacks.

Malins went over following an interchange down the left with Lucio Cinti after Noah Caluori had won an aerial duel on the opposite wing, pre-empting an attack from deep.

Tom Willis' carry and off-load were instrumental in Gonzalez's try, but it was Owen Farrell's flat pass to the onrushing Ben Earl that made the score possible. Willis then limped off injured.

Any sense Saracens were coasting vanished when Bath hit back with a Russell penalty and Arundell intercept try from 80 metres out.

Arundell struck after England squad mate Caluori had completed a towering catch only for the ball to be lost several phases later, but the home wing took partial revenge after he beat Arundell to a high ball soon after.

Saracens continued to be deadly in the opposition 22, however, with their next raid given momentum by centre Nick Tompkins making an effective, if unusual carry, and ending with Malins strolling over.

A long-range Farrell drop goal followed but Bath stayed in the hunt with a line-out maul finished by Thomas Du Toit and their power game continued to serve them well early in the second half.

For all the forward pick-and-goes, it was a moment of deception that undid Saracens with Ben Spencer passing a tap penalty to Will Butt to score just as it looked like his pack would carry again.

Bath were in full flight as they registered the bonus point when Arthur Green finished a sweeping move that included strong supporting roles for Josh Bayliss, Arundell and Spencer.

The rivals were proving hard to separate after the scored was tied 29-29 once Gonzalez had finished a series of forward drives.

Elliot Daly, making his first appearance for Saracens since the British and Irish Lions tour, nudged a long-range penalty attempt wide as a grandstand finish beckoned in north London.

The tension grew until Arundell scored the winning try with five minutes left.

Tags:

rugby-union news id:13477562

Share this article

Related Posts

Women's Six Nations: France vs England's Red Roses Grand Slam decider updates, latest scores, team news, commentary from Bordeaux

Women's Six Nations: France vs England's Red Roses Grand Slam decider updates, latest scores, team news, commentary from Bordeaux

'Gordon's versatility and CL form attracted Barcelona'Your Site News' Keith Downie:"What's interesting is the two clubs who were fighting for his sign...

Henry Pollock has 'unfinished business' with British and Irish Lions after Test snub in Australia

Henry Pollock has 'unfinished business' with British and Irish Lions after Test snub in Australia

Henry Pollock says he has unfinished British and Irish Lions business and is using the 'hurt' of not featuring in a Test match in Australia as motivat...

Women's Six Nations 2026: Fixtures, results, schedule, dates and more as England clinch another championship title

Women's Six Nations 2026: Fixtures, results, schedule, dates and more as England clinch another championship title

All the results for the 2026 Women's Six Nations as England defended their title against France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.Saturday April 11S...

Jo Yapp: British & Irish Lions first-ever women's team appoint former England international as head coach

Jo Yapp: British & Irish Lions first-ever women's team appoint former England international as head coach

Jo Yapp has been appointed head coach of the first-ever British & Irish Lions women's team.The landmark Howden British & Irish Lions women's s...

Champions Cup: Northampton Saints edge Castres in high-scoring thriller to reach European quarter-finals

Champions Cup: Northampton Saints edge Castres in high-scoring thriller to reach European quarter-finals

Northampton reached the Champions Cup quarter-finals after a battling 49-41 win over Castres.French side Castres raced into a 12-0 lead after only 10...

Six Nations: Will Greenwood expects RFU to stick with Steve Borthwick and lead England into 2027 World Cup

Six Nations: Will Greenwood expects RFU to stick with Steve Borthwick and lead England into 2027 World Cup

Former World Cup winner Will Greenwood says he expects England to stick with head coach Steve Borthwick despite a shocking Six Nations campaign.After...