TIGERS v BATH

A @LeicesterTigers - @BathRugby rivalry started in 1913 at Welford Road with a 19-5 home win. These club matches continued, with hard fought home and away fixtures in many seasons. Then something happened. A rivalry became *the* rivalry.

That something was Bath taking over from Tigers in winning successive John Player Cups. Bath had won two in a row by the time they faced Tigers in their first knock-out showdown in 1986. They won the semi-final 10-6 on their way to the third of four successive cup wins.

The two clubs faced off in their first ever league game in September 1987. Tigers won this one 24-13 setting them on the road to the first league title. Bath arrogantly won four of the next five titles before Tigers got another go on the trophy.

Fun Fact Intervention:

For four league games between April 1990 and November 1992 John Liley was the sole Tigers points scorer: Liley 27 Bath 75. It would have been five had Jez Harris not added to Liley’s two penalties with a drop goal in a welcome November 1993 win. https://twitter.com/historytigers/status/1337853731120025602

Between them the clubs won 23 of the 29 national league and cups held between 1979 and 1997. The teams have met in four Twickenham finals. Bath winning in 1989, 1994 and 1996. Tigers finally broke that run in the final of the short lived Zurich Championship in 2001. https://twitter.com/historytigers/status/1319916274328240128

They have never met in a Premiership final, but have met in the semis on three occasions, with Tigers holding a 2-1 lead. The last of which being a 10-47 defeat in 2015.

First Game: 13 September 1913 (h) won 19-5
Most Recent: 22 August 2020 (h) lost 16-38

Overall: P200 W115 D13 L72
League: P63 W32 D5 L26
Domestic Cups: P17 W8 D0 L9
Europe: P2 W1 D0 L1

A deeper dive into some league records tomorrow.

#LEIvBAT