Bath Rugby produced one of the performances of the European season on Saturday, overturning a 10-0 half-time deficit to defeat Saracens 31-22 at The Recreation Ground and book their place in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals, where they will face fellow English side Northampton Saints.
Saracens had dominated the opening 40 minutes, with Charlie Bracken's converted try and an Owen Farrell penalty giving them a commanding lead at the break. Bath's scrum had been under significant pressure throughout the first half, and the home side looked in serious danger of an early European exit.
The introduction of prop Thomas du Toit at half-time proved transformative. The South African tighthead immediately stabilised Bath's set piece, and the home side emerged from the dressing room a different team entirely, scoring 31 unanswered points to seal a remarkable victory.
Henry Arundell opened the scoring in the 43rd minute before Joe Cokanasiga put Bath in front in the 49th. Ben Spencer scored an audacious counter-attack try from Bath's own try-line in the 58th minute, and Ollie Lawrence crashed over in the 72nd before Arundell sealed the win with his second try in the 80th minute.
Saracens fought back through Max Malins and Noah Caluori, but Bath's momentum proved unstoppable. Du Toit was named man of the match for his transformative impact on the scrum.
"We knew we had it in us," said Bath head coach Johann van Graan. "The first half wasn't good enough but the character this group showed in the second half was extraordinary. Thomas came on and changed the game completely."
The result means Bath, who are also challenging for the Premiership title, remain on course for a potential domestic and European double. Their quarter-final against Northampton Saints is scheduled for later this month.
Elsewhere in the Champions Cup on Saturday, Toulouse thrashed Bristol 45-12 to advance comfortably, while Glasgow Warriors narrowly lost 14-12 to the Pretoria Bulls in a tense encounter.
