George Ford kicked a match-winning conversion with the game’s final kick in front of watching England head coach Eddie Jones as Bath dramatically ended Wasps’ unbeaten European Champions Cup record with a 25-23 victory.
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England ace Ford brilliantly landed the touchline extras to full-back Anthony Watson’s try in the third minute of stoppage time after Wasps were reduced to 13 men when French referee Jerome Garces yellow-carded flanker George Smith and substitute prop Lorenzo Cittadini for technical offences.
It followed earlier touchdowns at the Ricoh Arena by centre Jonathan Joseph and wing Matt Banahan, in addition to two Ford penalties and a conversion, as Bath made it two wins from two in Pool Five.
Well done to the lads today. Great win on the road…Thanks for your support..another big week ahead of us now, see you at the Rec on Sat!
— George Ford (@George_Fordy) December 13, 2015
Wasps appeared to have done enough after full-back Rob Miller’s try midway through the second half put Wasps ahead. Fly-half Ruaridh Jackson kicked four penalties, centre Elliot Daly landed a long-range strike and Jackson’s replacement Jimmy Gopperth struck a late penalty – but it was not to be.
Earlier, reigning champions Toulon gave themselves a lifeline with a 24-9 win over Leinster. Having lost heavily 32-6 to Wasps in their opening Pool 5 clash, Toulon needed a win at home to keep themselves in the hunt against fellow three-time former winners Leinster, whose third defeat in a row now effectively all but ends their interest in the competition.
Leinster started in determined fashion with Jonny Sexton – who finished with 14 points – kicking two penalties inside five minutes. Toulon were quick to respond, though, when Matt Giteau chose to kick a penalty to the corner and the powerful French pack did the rest, winning their line-out and then driving Steffon Armitage over for a try that Eric Escande converted.
George Ford wins it for Bath! Wasps 23-25 Bath #ERCC https://t.co/H8HWoxlk1h https://t.co/S4yQ4dVRRP
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) December 13, 2015
But after Escande and Sexton exchanged penalties, Toulon could not make anything of a numerical advantage after Ireland prop Cian Healy was sin-binned, as a drab half of rugby ended 10-9 to the hosts.
Ireland lock Devin Toner was also yellow-carded early in the second period and this time Escande kicked two penalties to punish the ill-disciplined visitors.
Escande notched another penalty before Tom Denton stupidly picked up a third yellow card for Leinster with 30 seconds left. Toulon kicked to the corner and Armitage drove through a ragged Irish defence for his second try.
Saracens continued their perfect start to the season with a thumping 45-10 defeat of Oyonnax.
First-half tries from Alex Goode and Chris Wyles, as well as a penalty try, saw Saracens turn around leading 24-3 at the break. Maro Itoje landed the bonus point fourth try before Richard Wigglesworth added number five.
