Premiership Rugby Final – Bath vs Leicester Tigers tips and predictions: Can Bath win the treble?

Bath state of play 

Bath will be hoping to end 29 years of hurt in front of 82,000 fans at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham on Saturday. After beating local-rivals Bristol 34-20 in last weekend’s semi-final, the club know they could finally get their hands on the Premiership trophy. In last year’s final, they lost to Northampton Saints by four points and will be desperate to go one step further this time.  

They’ve been top of the table since October and have already won two finals this year, the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup. Johann van Graan’s side also have form over their opponents, having beat the Tigers 43-15 just four weeks ago. 

Leicester Tigers state of play

Leicester Tigers will be desperate to win to allow club legends Dan Cole and Ben Youngs to leave with a trophy in hand. The two players, who have a record-breaking 245 England caps between them, are leaving the club at the end of the season. Both joined the East Midlands outfit in 2007 and will be looking to bow out with a winners medal around their necks.

Michael Cheika’s side are also losing Handre Pollard and captain Julian Montoya after Saturday’s game and they booked their spot in the final with a nail-biting 21-16 victory over Sale Sharks. And, despite losing both times to Bath in the regular season, Leicester will be ready to reignite a rivalry that goes back decades. 

Key talking point: Bath to finally deliver on the big stage?  

The two sides share a huge rivalry having been the best teams in the late amateur and early professional eras. Bath have suffered most since those days, but could Saturday finally be their day? They’re 1/3 with William Hill to win the match and end nearly three decades of pain. 

British & Irish Lion fly-half Finn Russell is integral to a Bath attack which has already scored 100 tries this season, 25 more than Saturday’s opponents. Should they click into gear like they did in the second half of last weekend’s semi-final, they’re a very difficult side to stop. Even for one of the league's best defences in Leicester. 

FIRST’s top tip for Bath v Leicester Tigers

Bath to win both halves 4/6 (William Hill).

When the two sides met four weeks ago, Bath sneaked into a 19-15 half-time lead. They then scored 24 unanswered points in the second half. Their ability to grind teams down and improve after the break is what has made them unstoppable this season. So, we expect the ageing legs of Leicester to struggle to live with a Bath team that should win both halves. 

Bath v Leicester Tigers line-ups: 

Bath: Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewels, Hill, Pepper, Reid; Spencer (c), Russell, Muir, Redpath, Ojomoh, Cokanasiga, De Glanville 

Leicester Tigers: Smith, Montoya (c), Heyes, Henderson, Chessum, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell; van Poortvliet, Pollard, Hassell-Collins, Woodward, Kata, Radwan, Steward 

Form-guide (all competitions)

Bath: WLWWLWWWWW

Leicester Tigers: WWLWWWLLWW

Odds correct at time of writing. 

Responsible gambling with FIRST

You must be 18+ to gamble. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Our tips and advice help you enjoy gambling, but there is always a chance a bet or casino game can lose.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Stop betting if you are angry, emotional or under the influence of alcohol.

Warning signs of problem gambling: chasing losses, betting money needed for bills, or feeling unable to stop.

Need help? Visit our responsible sports betting page or our responsible casino gambling page, or contact the support organisations listed below if you're struggling to control your gambling:

Gamblers Anonymous UK

BeGambleAware

GAMSTOP

National Gambling Support Network

Gamcare

NHS National Gambling Clinic