Bath forming potential 'dynasty' with incredible depth in quality as they overcome Sale Sharks in Gallagher PREM

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Bath may be on their way to forming a potential "dynasty" if they keep down the path that Johann van Graan has them on. The reigning Gallagher PREM champions are overwhelming teams with an all-conquering depth in the squad, that allows them to drop the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer and still come away with the win. They came back from 19-7 down against Sale Sharks to secure a 31-26 win.

Highlights: Bath overcome spirited Sale Sharks effort to keep hold of second place

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bath captured an impressive comeback win at Sale Sharks, driven by the impressive depth that Johann van Graan possesses throughout his squad.

The champions were 19-7 behind when they went into half-time, with Van Graan employing the option of a rotated squad for the Gallagher PREM clash.

With the bench being depleted throughout the second half, Bath grew into the game and came away with a 31-26 win after 80 minutes.

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Alfie Barbeary, in particular, came on and wreaked havoc on Sale's pack.

"You can only do that when you have the quality, and there's no doubt that Bath have quality littered in their squad, way beyond the 23," TNT Sports rugby expert Brian O'Driscoll said post-match.

"You could even argue there are 35 players who would do a very good job, a seamless job."

'Incredible!'- Bath strike from deep with brilliant Van der Linde score to draw level

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The Irishman continued: "The thing about good squads is, irrespective of the personnel, you plug someone in and it feels seamless. Trying to keep everyone happy is the challenge when it's going that way.

"But they're in a winning environment, they won trophies last year. Can they win a second consecutive Premiership? Can they go one further and push in Europe? They're on a real high at the minute."

Bath were able to rest the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer for the tie, but a heavyweight bench made all the difference in the second half.

As well as Barbeary, England A hooker Kepu Tuipulotu put in another eye-catching performance. He assisted Bernard van der Linde’s sublime long-range try that brought Bath level.

The hooker has a rare skill-set for someone in his role, combining muscle, intellect, and expertise with the ball in hand and from the boot.

'The only way they get better is to play' - Van Graan on cultivating Bath squad depth

Video credit: TNT Sports

He did excellently to bump off a defender and stay out of touch, before sliding through a lovely kick for Van der Linde to latch onto and accelerate to the line.

It was then Barbeary who provided the match-winning try with under 10 minutes to go.

TNT Sports presenter Craig Doyle floated the thought that English rugby may face the potential of a Bath dynasty, should they manage to keep the squad intact and retain their signature depth.

Ben Kay quickly agreed, and suggested that they may be the sole English team who can compete in both the league and Europe.
"They're probably the first English team for a while who can compete on two fronts," Kay said. "We've always talked about how hard it is to deliver in Europe and be a threat in the PREM, but they have got so much depth and strength that they can do both. They'll be targeting it this year."

'I'm crestfallen' - Sanderson rues missed opportunity

Sale’s director of rugby Alex Sanderson was bitterly disappointed to miss out on a win.

After outplaying the reigning PREM champions in the first half, Bath's bench overwhelmed Sanderson's side in the second.

”I’m crestfallen,” Sanderson admitted. ”I’m just gutted for the amount of effort that the lads put in.

"It is frustrating, but it’s seemingly a similar story to how the rest of the season has gone.

”They’re a good team, with a strong bench and a minimal-risk game plan. You know where they are coming from, but you’ve still got to be very, very, very good to stop them.”

Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and HBO Max

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