Bath and Leicester come together on Saturday at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham for the final clash of the Premiership season, as the two old rivals look to settle old scores.
Speaking ahead of the match, Bath head coach Johann van Graan joined captain Ben Spencer and fly-half Finn Russell in front of the press.
Between the typical comments about how important a match like this was for the city, the players, fans and family, there was time to discuss the individual attributes that make up such an impressive side.
Having talked a lot about the individual qualities that certain players bring, one journalist turned the attention to the “exceptional athlete”, that is, Ted Hill.
With wingers like Joe Cokanasiga and Will Muir in the squad, fans would be very much forgiven for thinking that a back would hold the mantle of fastest player in the Bath squad, but it’s actually Hill who boasts the title.
Spencer and Van Graan paid tribute to Hill, labelling him as “one of the best players in the league.”
The flying flanker
Commenting on the Bath flanker’s athleticism, Spencer recalled how the 26-year-old regularly chases down wingers in the Premiership.
“He’s a bit of a freak to be fair. He’s the fastest bloke in the squad, backs and forwards. We don’t gym with the forwards, but what he does in there is incredible.
“The last two games we played at home, he’s chased down wingers to make a try-saving tackle in the corner, so athletically he’s different level,” enthused Spencer.
Van Graan’s approval
Van Graan wasn’t short of superlatives for the England international, either, adding: “He’s an exceptional rugby player.
“He came in here just over two-and-a-half years ago in very difficult circumstances for him, but the way that he’s conducted himself, the way he’s never been a victim, he’s never had an excuse, he’s just fitted in.
“He quietly just gets the business done, whether on the blindside or at lock. When Ted is in the team, we play well. I think he’s one of the best players in the league, and his athletic ability is special.
“His speed is phenomenal, he can get in the close and the wide channels, he’s got a very good lineout ability, and it’s got this amazing timing of hitting, so there’s not a lot that he can’t.
“He really is a special player.”
Bath and Leicester share a colossal rivalry, having been the top sides during the late amateur and early professional eras. Despite enjoying different levels of success since, the meet-ups between these two sides have always been fierce.
Now clashing at the biggest stage of all, this will be a day to remember.
So, how do the two sides compare? Well, here are the ten key stats from this season:
Attacking stats
Tries: Bath 100 – 75 Leicester
Defenders beaten: Bath 420 – 477 Leicester
Clean Breaks: Bath 143 – 125 Leicester
Metres made: Bath 8992 – 7253 Leicester
Points scored: Bath 685 – 554 Leicester
Winner: Bath
Defensive stats
Tackles made: Bath 2393 – 2517 Leicester
Missed tackles: 489 – 446 Leicester
Dominant tackles: Bath 168 – 182 Leicester
Turnovers lost: Bath 53 – 67 Leicester
Penalties conceded: Bath 180 – 189 Leicester
Winner: Leicester
Last five meetings:
May 2025: Bath 43 – 15 Leicester
September 2024: Leicester 15 – 20 Bath
December 2023: Leicester 35 – 22 Bath
October 2023: Bath 24 – 25 Leicester
March 2023: Leicester 48 – 27 Bath
The match will kick off at 3 pm UK time on June 20th.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ben-spencer-names-the-freak-that-chases-down-wingers-as-van-graan-pays-tribute-to-one-of-the-best-players-in-the-league
