The identical evaluation couldn’t be afforded to Bathtub, nevertheless. Though the guests departed with a shedding bonus level – Fergus Lee-Warner barging by way of Tom Whiteley late on – Bathtub additionally headed again all the way down to the West Nation battered, bruised, and nonetheless and not using a victory in 2023. In addition to Stuart, Sam Underhill and Jaco Coetzee have been compelled to depart, whereas Alfie Barbeary hobbled off after simply 10 minutes on debut for the membership he joined in November after Wasps’ demise.
“Not one of the accidents look good,” mentioned Johann van Graan, Bathtub director of rugby. “Sam, Jaco and Will have been head knocks. And I am unable to see Alfie being something however critical.”
Out of those two historic rivals, one appeared a real contender for the highest 4, and the opposite appeared mild years away. By half-time, Leicester had the bonus level wrapped up because of tries from Potter, Julian Montoya – the primary of two for the hooker – Handre Pollard – who scored 21 factors in complete – and Hanro Liebenberg.
Bathtub managed two first-half tries of their very own – by way of Matt Gallagher and Ben Spencer – however additionally they copped two first-half yellow playing cards as their self-discipline deteriorated and their line-out imploded with Josh McNally and Tom Dunn within the sin bin. Leicester ran riot, led by 18 factors at half-time and recorded their largest first-half factors complete since 2018.
McNally and Lee-Warner stored the guests in contact, however in entrance of distinguished previous gamers like Peter Wheeler and Paul Dodge, Leicester neutralised Bathtub’s rearguard. Montoya added a second, Wells went below the sticks after a scintillating Mike Brown break, and the Tigers have been again within the play-off reckoning. England is perhaps the unintended beneficiary, nevertheless.
