The Gallagher Premiership final on Saturday had all the ingredients for a thrilling upset.
Leicester Tigers fought hard, but in the end, it was Bath who walked away as deserved champions.
Bath’s consistency all season marked them as the team to beat, and their win just confirmed what we’d seen throughout the campaign.
The game itself wasn’t a spectacle of attacking flair.
Instead, it played out as a cautious, error-strewn contest from both sides.
Yet, Leicester came close to pulling off something special.
When Emeka Ilione, coming off the bench, scored late, it looked like the Tigers might have a real shot at snatching the title.
The Moment That Changed Everything: Youngs’ Box Kick Decision
Right after Ilione’s try, Leicester found themselves deep in their own territory.
At that critical moment, I couldn’t get behind Ben Youngs’ choice to clear the ball with a box kick.
It was a moment that called for guts — holding onto the ball and mounting an attack — but instead, Youngs opted for safety.
Throughout the match, we saw plenty of box kicks, but that particular kick felt like a missed opportunity.
By kicking away possession, Leicester handed control back to Bath, who then managed the clock expertly, led by their savvy captain Ben Spencer.
It was a tough way for Youngs to end his playing career — his final match — but it kind of summed up his time on the field: a dependable servant to Leicester and England, but sometimes a bit too conservative when boldness was needed most.
A Controversial Yellow Card Casts a Shadow on Cole’s Farewell
Another poignant moment came when referee Karl Dickson showed Dan Cole a yellow card late in the game.
Like Youngs, Cole was playing his last match, and I think the decision was harsh.
Cole’s late hit on Finn Russell deserved a penalty at worst, not a card that left Leicester a man down at a crucial stage.
Despite these setbacks, Leicester showed great resilience fighting back from a 20-7 deficit, but they just didn’t have enough to claim the trophy.
Both Cole and Youngs now have time to reflect on these final moments as they move into retirement.
Bath’s Long-Awaited Triumph and Van Graan’s Masterful Leadership
Bath will wake up Sunday morning breathing a sigh of relief.
They were favourites going in and managed to hold on for the win, though it wasn’t without hiccups.
Unusually, Bath made several uncharacteristic errors — dropped balls and some shaky execution — but their quality was still enough to secure the title.
Having not won the league since 1996, this victory ended a long drought for one of English rugby’s most historic clubs.
Much of the credit goes to Johann van Graan, Bath’s head of rugby, who has transformed the team since taking charge.
When Van Graan arrived, Bath had just finished last in the league and faced relegation had the system been in place.
Now, three years on, they’re not only Premiership champions but also treble winners, adding the European Challenge Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup to their trophy haul in a remarkable season.
Van Graan’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary.
A Bright Future for Bath and English Rugby
The decision by Bath owner Bruce Craig to hire Van Graan has proven a stroke of genius.
With a long-term contract already secured, I wouldn’t be surprised if other teams — maybe even international sides — start circling Van Graan in the near future.
Though this final may not have been the most exciting in terms of pure play, the event itself was fantastic.
The Gallagher Premiership has grown tremendously this season, with bigger crowds, more tries, and electrifying moments.
On Saturday, Twickenham was packed to the rafters with 81,708 fans — a capacity crowd — showing strong support not only for Bath and Leicester but for all the teams across the league.
That’s what makes the Premiership final so special.
Bath’s success is a sign of how far both the club and the league have come.
With this momentum, I’m already looking forward to what next season will bring.