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

SIx Nations: Scotland's Gregor Townsend hits out at timing of Newcastle Red Bulls 'speculation' as he names team for Italy opener

SIx Nations: Scotland's Gregor Townsend hits out at timing of Newcastle Red Bulls 'speculation' as he names team for Italy opener

Gregor Townsend dismissed claims that he has been primed to take over at Newcastle Red Bulls as an attempt to "disrupt" Scotland ahead of the Six Nati...

Six Nations: England's Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in danger of missing entire tournament after suffering hamstring injury in training

Six Nations: England's Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in danger of missing entire tournament after suffering hamstring injury in training

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been ruled out of England's pivotal clash with Scotland and is in danger of missing the entire Six Nations.Feyi-Waboso suffer...

England stake claim as chief Six Nations title rivals to France - but Steve Borthwick and George Ford left wanting more after mauling Wales

England stake claim as chief Six Nations title rivals to France - but Steve Borthwick and George Ford left wanting more after mauling Wales

If France set the benchmark with their emphatic opening‑night victory over Ireland, then England proved they are the main rivals to their Six Nations...

Six Nations: England's Steve Borthwick admits prop injury crisis is 'unfortunate and disruptive' but side will 'attack tournament'

Six Nations: England's Steve Borthwick admits prop injury crisis is 'unfortunate and disruptive' but side will 'attack tournament'

England head coach Steve Borthwick has conceded to Your Site his squad's prop injury crisis is "unfortunate and disruptive" but says they will "attack...

Six Nations 2026: Men's fixtures, schedule, dates, Calcutta Cup and more as France defend championship title

Six Nations 2026: Men's fixtures, schedule, dates, Calcutta Cup and more as France defend championship title

All the fixtures and schedule for the 2026 Men's Six Nations as France look to defend their title against England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy....

Six Nations: Maro Itoje returns to captain England for Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield

Six Nations: Maro Itoje returns to captain England for Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield

Maro Itoje returns to captain England in Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland.Itoje began Saturday's on the bench following the recent deat...