Bath vs Saracens: How to Watch Gallagher PREM Restart Live 2026

Bath Rugby emphatically announced their championship credentials Friday night, demolishing Saracens 62-15 at the Recreation Ground in the first match back after the two-month hiatus for the Six Nations. The victory returns the reigning champions to the summit of the Gallagher PREM table.

The match began with a swift and surprising surge from Saracens, who took an early 10-0 lead. Tobias Elliott scored the opening try after just 70 seconds, capitalizing on a charged-down box kick from Bath’s Ben Spencer. Owen Farrell added the conversion and a subsequent penalty, briefly silencing the home crowd. However, Bath quickly responded, demonstrating the attacking firepower that secured their title last season.

Will Muir ignited Bath’s comeback, scoring in the corner following a sustained period of pressure and a five-metre scrum. Finn Russell’s conversion narrowed the gap, and he followed it up with a prodigious 40-22 kick to further pin Saracens back. Josh Bayliss then showcased his power and skill, evading three defenders on his way to a try, with Russell again adding the extras to place Bath ahead 14-10 after 20 minutes.

Alfie Barbeary extended Bath’s lead with a try from a catch-and-drive, continuing the momentum. Despite a second try from Saracens’ Elliott, Bath finished the first half strongly. Henry Arundell crossed the line twice in quick succession, exploiting opportunities created by kicks, and Russell added a penalty to establish a commanding 31-15 lead at halftime.

The second half saw Saracens struggle to break down a resolute Bath defense, despite dominating territory. Bath, meanwhile, continued to pile on the points, adding five more tries to complete the rout. Ben Spencer, Kepu Tuipulotu, Arundell (for his second of the night), Guy Pepper, and Bernard van der Linde all touched down, showcasing the depth and quality within Johann van Graan’s squad.

Bath’s strength was particularly evident in the return of their Six Nations internationals. Russell and Spencer, despite what were described as “frustrating” Six Nations campaigns with Scotland and Ireland respectively, slotted seamlessly back into the Bath lineup. Arundell’s two tries were a clear indication of his impact, while the forward pack, bolstered by the likes of Bayliss and Underhill (who came on as a replacement), proved dominant at the breakdown and in the set piece.

Saracens, despite a spirited start, were ultimately overwhelmed. While they showed glimpses of their attacking prowess, they were unable to convert territory into points, and Bath’s defensive organization proved too strong. The absence of key players like Maro Itoje and Jamie George, who were given a week’s rest, may have contributed to their struggles, but Bath’s performance was undeniably comprehensive.

The result sends a clear message to the rest of the league: Bath are determined to defend their title. With eight games remaining in the regular season, they now hold a two-point lead over Northampton Saints, setting up an intriguing battle for the top spot. Saracens, meanwhile, will need to regroup and find consistency if they are to challenge for a playoff place, currently sitting four points behind Leicester Tigers.

Bath Rugby: Tom De Glanville, Henry Arundell, Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh, Will Muir, Finn Russell, Ben Spencer (captain); Beno Obano, Tom Dunn, Archie Griffin, Quinn Roux, Charlie Ewels, Josh Bayliss, Miles Reid, Alfie Barbeary. Replacements: Kepueli Tuipulotu, François Van Wyk, Thomas Du Toit, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Bernard Van Der Linde, Santi Carreras, Sam Underhill.

Saracens: Elliot Daly, Tobias Elliott, Lucio Cinti, Nick Tompkins, Rotimi Segun, Owen Farrell, Ivan Van Zyl (captain); Eroni Mawi, Theo Dan, Marcus Street, Nick Isiekwe, Hugh Tizard, Theo McFarland, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Tom Willis. Replacements: James Hadfield, Alex O’Driscoll, Marco Riccioni, Andy Onyeama-Christie, Ben Earl, Gareth Simpson, Fergus Burke, Max Malins.