One that got away - Van Graan rues Bath exit

The Rolling Stones' 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' was blaring out of the speakers at the Recreation Ground as Bath players stood on the pitch in disbelief after Saturday's agonising semi-final defeat by Exeter.

A year ago, Bath were revelling at Twickenham in a first Prem title in 29 years that also completed a historic hat-trick of trophies for the season.

Head of rugby Johann van Graan spoke about how champion sides are "teams that win things multiple times" and, after finishing second in the table this campaign, a third successive Prem final appearance and shot at retaining the title was meant to be in the script.

A one-point, 27-26 loss at home in the semi-final was not how Bath's season was supposed to end - especially when they had led by 16 points at half-time.

"In terms of what we have achieved with this group again this season, I'm very proud of that but this is certainly one that got away," Van Graan said almost an hour after the full-time whistle.

Bath will certainly spend days and weeks ruing what could have been against the Chiefs. They went in at half-time in total control, having scored four tries to Exeter's one to lead 26-10.

Under Van Graan, Bath have become accustomed to stepping up to the occasion of knockout rugby matches and knowing how to win big games but during the second half, where Exeter changed and adapted, Bath increasingly looked out of ideas.

Exeter replaced their front row early after the break, began dominating the scrum and every bounce of the ball and penalty decision started to go their way.

They scored three tries, the third with Bath down to 14 men and Joe Cokanasiga in the sin-bin, to take a slender lead for the first time in the 67th minute.

Still, in the closing minutes, the defending champions had a shot at snatching victory.

Bath had possession, they forced their way to Exeter's line and Santiago Carreras - starting at fly-half for the injured Finn Russell - dropped into the pocket directly in front of the posts perfectly placed for a drop-goal, while Cokanasiga also stood in acres of space alone on the right wing.

Instead, Bath carried on through their forward pack.

Through phase after phase, they repeated the same method until the 43rd phase when Vilikesa Sela was held up over the line and the game was over.

"I backed him [Carreras] to kick it but ultimately the ball didn't get to him," Van Graan said.

"It's so easy as a coach to sit here and say 'oh, we should have done this, we should have done that'. Santi was in the pocket, whatever the reason was, we didn't pull it.

"We definitely had space on the sides but from my side, ultimately we all win together and we all lose together. We didn't use the opportunity and we certainly didn't finish that last opportunity, otherwise it would have been a total different story at the final whistle."

Van Graan said he would sum up the season as one of "lost opportunities".

As well as leaving points on the pitch at The Rec, the South African also referenced their European Champions Cup semi-final defeat by Bordeaux in May where Bath had moments to score and stay in the game that they did not take.

"I'm content that we, as a group, gave it all we had got," Van Graan added. "I'm content that the individuals leaving gave it their best shot for this team.

"Ultimately it didn't go our way today but once I regain perspective in a few weeks' time you understand that that's sport.

"When you can win in the last play of the game you've also got to be man enough to lose it like that."