Bath produced a stunning attacking display, scoring nine tries and surpassing 60 points against Saracens in a Premiership match that saw them regain top spot. Tobias Elliott scored twice for Saracens, the first inside two minutes, but Bath responded with tries from Will Muir, Josh Bayliss, Alfie Barbeary, and Henry Arundell to secure a try-scoring bonus point before halftime. Ben Spencer ran clear on the counter, Kepu Tuipulotu added their sixth try, and Henry Arundell scored a second, while Finn Russell set up Guy Pepper's try with a dummy pass. The win moved Bath back to the summit of the Premiership table, underlining their title credentials. Bath also beat Saracens in the Champions Cup Round of 16, according to multiple reports.
Leicester secured a dramatic 31-28 victory over Bristol, with Gabriel Hamer-Webb scoring a last-gasp try to snatch the win. According to multiple reports, the win moved Leicester into third place in the Premiership table, while Bristol were left empty-handed and dropped to fifth place. Ollie Chessum was named player of the match. Leicester coach Geoff Parling said he was shouting at Freddie Steward to kick the ball off, but the players backed themselves and scored.
Bristol's injury crisis is the worst Pat Lam has seen in 20 years of coaching.
Bristol had earlier beaten Newcastle 52-19, moving above Exeter into fourth place, according to multiple reports. However, their defeat to Leicester saw them slip back. Bristol head coach Pat Lam described the team's injury crisis as the worst he has seen in 20 years of coaching.
Saracens, who beat Leicester 19-15 earlier in the season, stayed in sixth place after the win, according to multiple reports. Their heavy defeat to Bath highlighted the gap between the top sides.
Sunil Gavaskar said workload is a mental issue, not a physical one.
Northampton beat Newcastle with a bonus-point win, according to multiple reports. Newcastle remain eight points adrift of safety after 13 defeats in 14 matches, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.
In a surprising development, an online streamer with about 11,000 subscribers bought the rights to show the rest of the Premiership season in France. Florian Marliere paid a 'five-figure sum' for the rights, according to Marliere himself. The coverage starts on Friday with Bath vs Saracens.
Gavaskar clarified that Bumrah's issue was injury, not workload.
Women's rugby is back with the Pacific Four and Women's Six Nations tournaments, according to research. Canada and New Zealand are dominant forces in the Pacific Four, while England and France dominate the Women's Six Nations. Ireland and Scotland are building on improvements from the World Cup, while the USA is looking to start afresh in the Pacific Four. Italy is the only disappointing side in the Women's Six Nations so far. The Women's Six Nations Channel on YouTube streams all games live and offers on-demand coverage free of charge.
In European competitions, Bath staged a spectacular comeback against Northampton in the Champions Cup quarter-finals, according to research. Exeter and Benetton played an 85-point epic in the Challenge Cup.
Johan van Graan said Stuart's injury looks very serious and likely his Achilles.
England face significant injury concerns ahead of the Six Nations, with a dozen or so first-choice players on the casualty list, according to research. Prop Will Stuart is a serious doubt for the start of England's Six Nations campaign after a suspected Achilles injury. Stuart hobbled off in the 49th minute and left in a protective boot. Bath head coach Johan van Graan said Stuart's injury looks very serious and likely his Achilles. The exact nature and severity of Stuart's injury remain unclear.
Historically, injury crises have plagued tours. In 2009, five Lions were carted off to hospital after the second international against South Africa, and ten Lions suffered tour-ending injuries on that tour, according to research. Dr James Robson said players have become too big for their skill levels and too muscle-bound.
In cricket, India's players have faced heavy workloads. Mohammed Siraj played all five Test matches and bowled over 185 overs in the series, according to research. Jasprit Bumrah missed the fifth Test due to a back injury sustained in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and Rishabh Pant played with a broken toe in the series. Sunil Gavaskar said workload is a mental issue, not a physical one, but clarified that Bumrah's issue was injury, not workload.
Scotland forward Andy Onyeama-Christie will miss the rest of the season after breaking his arm for a third time, according to research.
In international rugby, Canada knocked New Zealand out of the World Cup semi-final, according to research, a major upset that reshaped the women's game.