Those who prefer their rugby cagey and tactical would have left a sold-out Rec disappointed. Everyone else was treated to 11 tries – seven of them scored in the first half – as ball carriers ran over papier-mache tacklers and through porous defensive lines. And though it was thrilling, it often felt too easy for those on the attack, especially Finn Russell, who kept Bath ticking throughout their seven-try bonus-point win.

The Scot outshone Marcus Smith, who was shown a yellow card in the first half and then shunted from fly-half to full-back when he returned from the sin-bin. No doubt Lions coach Andy Farrell was keeping note.

Continue reading...