Leicester Tigers 46-21 Bath Rugby result: Hosts secure dominant victory over holders to clinch PREM Rugby Cup final spot against Exter Chiefs

PREM Rugby Cup / Semi-final

Mattioli Woods Welford Road / 08.03.2026

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17:59

TIGERS SECURE PREM CUP FINAL AGAINST CHIEFS

Leicester Tigers booked their place in the PREM Rugby Cup final with a dominant win over Bath, setting up a showdown with Exeter Chiefs next weekend.

You would be forgiven for thinking that, even against Bath's second string side, Leicester might find some difficulty after the late withdrawal of James O'Connor. But the former Wallaby's replacement, Tom Threlfall, thrust Tigers into the lead inside 60 seconds. The 19-year-old got inside Ollie Hassell-Collins after he made a stunning break and raced to the try line to light up Welford Road.

That Bath responded quickly through Ethan Staddon suggested this could be a back and forth game. Staddon, who was Bath's liveliest player, made an excellent cut back against the grain and stunned Tigers' defenders to score and take the lead.

But Tigers responded with an instant retort of their own as Billy Searle's matador-like dummy sold the Bath backline and allowed the in-form fly-half to stroll through for Tigers' second try.

It seemed to suddenly turn Bath off and they begun a lengthy run of conceding penalties that ran well into the second half. The set-piece too fell away and Tigers began to chew through every area of Bath's game. For all of their dominance, points were scarce in the first half, and it wasn't until the 33rd minute that Tigers updated the scoreboard.

They did so through a dominant maul, which became a fixture throughout the game, and Tommy Reffell scored the first of his two tries as he split from the maul and crashed over the line.

Bailey 'strikes another hammer blow' against his former team as Leicester stretch lead

Video credit: TNT Sports

One suspects that Geoff Parling had a word with his side during half-time because they should have finished the first period with much more than a 10-point lead. Tigers then added a fourth try a minute into the second half when Orlando Bailey took advantage of a shambolic Bath defence with their backs to the try line, evading two tackles to score against his former team.

Around the 60th minute the game took a strange turn. Tigers, who had not conceded a penalty since the 12th minute, suddenly gave away four in a row, and Bath threatened to mount a comeback after Kepu Tuipulotu's instant impact delivered a try.

But Tigers regrouped and swatted the visitors away, and three tries in the space of 10 minutes between closed the game out for the hosts.

With that, the Tigers confirmed the final will take place at Welford Road, giving themselves a huge advantage against a Chiefs side who dismantled Northampton Saints earlier in the day.

Next week's PREM Rugby Cup final will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

FULL-TIME! LEICESTER TIGERS 46-21 BATH

And Tigers wrap up a dominant victory with a really impressive performance.

Bath certainly had a second string, but the Leicester outfit had to battle for 80 minutes and it wasn't until the final third that their quality really shone through on the scoreboard.

They secure their place in the PREM Rugby Cup final and face Exeter Chiefs in the showcase match at Welford Road.

83'

TRY! RIDGWAY! TIGERS 46-21 BATH

Tigers decide they want to finish with a flourish but it's Bath who manage to turn it over.

And Welsh prop Ioan Emanuel makes a surprise burst through the middle of the park and passes to fellow Welsh U-20 Alex Ridgway to score a consolation try.

77'

TRY! HASSELL-COLLINS! TIGERS 46-14 BATH

Excellence from Tigers and just dire from Bath. They have no answer for them today.

Hamer-Webb makes a great catch in the air and Tigers just instantly break through the middle of the park thanks to some embarrassing defence.

Hassell-Collins pops up in the wide channel as Tigers put it through the hands and the winger has enough space to slide over.

74'

TRY! MORO! TIGERS 41-14 BATH

Leicester are strolling into the final and Moro adds the icing on the cake, putting this result far beyond doubt.

The No. 8 gets the ball just outside the 22, but Bath are outnumbered, and the Argentinian burns his way to the line without even a thought of passing.

68'

TRY! PALMER! TIGERS 34-14 BATH

Leicester immediately shut the door on Bath and restore a 20-point lead.

It's yet another maul that allows Tigers to hit Bath and scramble their defence.

Some excellent carries tie up the Bath defenders around the try line and young Harry Palmer dives over.

65'

TRY! TUIPULOTU! TIGERS 27-14 BATH

Bath make those penalties pay and with 15 minutes to go, this game could get very interesting.

It's Tuipulotu who crashes over from close range and Roue adds the conversion.

61'

BATH BEGINNING TO MOUNT COMEBACK

The penalty count has suddenly swung and Leicester have conceded four in a row.

Bath have managed to work their way to a lineout on the 5m line and will hope for a big shunt.

54'

BATH DO WELL TO WITHSTAND PRESSURE

Things are beginning to click for Bath defensively even if they can't make things happen in attack.

Replacement hooker Kepu Tuipulotu makes an excellent turnover and is making a great impact so far.

TRY! REFFELL! TIGERS 27-7 BATH

There it is and it's Reffell again in a near like-for-like of his try in the first half.

The maul powers to the try line this time and Reffell dots down.

Searle misses from the corner and Tigers have a 20-point lead and surely the game wrapped up, unless Bath can whip up a miracle.

47'

BATH HAVE CONCEDED NINE PENALTIES IN A ROW

Bath conceded at the maul and comms are saying that's a ninth in a row. Yikes. Tigers can end this game now.

46'

TIGERS FEND OFF MAIDEN BATH ATTACK OF THE HALF

Bath have their first go at Tigers' try line after some excellent carries, but see the ball snatched away in the 22.

Tigers boom the ball downfield and an excellent chase forces Bath to concede a penalty at the ruck just outside their 22 and Tigers take aim at the touchline.

42'

TRY! BAILEY! TIGERS 22-7 BATH

Another fast start for Tigers!

They know they left points on the board in the first half and they came out roaring here.

Hamer-Webb makes a great break, as does Van der Flier.

Bath's defence was in shambles and Orlando Bailey manages to evade two tackles against his former team and score.

40'

BACK OUT FOR THE SECOND HALF

The teams are back out for the next 40 minutes. And Tigers will be hoping to continue their dominance and extend their 10-point lead to book a place in the final.

16:54

SEARLE SCORES 'LIKE A MATADOR' FOR TIGERS

'Playing the rugby of his dreams!' - Searle scores for Leicester 'like a matador'

Video credit: TNT Sports

16:53

BATH HIT BACK WITH BRILLIANT STADDON TRY

'Slaloming all the way' - Bath hit back with 'brilliant' try

Video credit: TNT Sports

16:47

HALF-TIME: TIGERS 17-7 BATH

Hmm. Tigers should really be more than 10 points ahead. Bath haven't fired a shot and Tigers have had seemingly all the possession and chances.

The champions are still in this as a result and can still salvage a win in the second half.

It's been a half mainly for the forwards, however, and this game is begging for some game-breaking skill from the backlines.

38'

BATH DEFEND FOURTH TRY

Searle decides to test the Bath defence with a high ball into their 22 from a penalty and Tigers instantly win it back and hit wide.

Bath do excellent to win a turnover at the ruck and clear their lines.

They really should be more than 10 points behind but actions like that are saving them.

WATCH: THRELFALL SCORES TIGERS TRY INSIDE 60 SECS

'He wasn't due to be playing today!' - Threlfall strikes for Leicester inside 60 seconds

Video credit: TNT Sports

36'

TOMMY TURNOVER

Bath finally get the machine going with a nice break followed by some good carries in the 22.

Front-foot ball unfortunately descends into looseness, and Reffell dives on the ball for a turnover with his back to his 22.