Premiership final heartache for Reading's Hassell-Collins as Bath edge out Leicester
Leicester Tigers' Ollie Hassell-Collins (right) breaks free from Bath Rugby's Max Ojomoh during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final at the Allianz Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday June 14, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA (Image: Adam Davy)
It was Premiership final heartache for Reading's Ollie Hassell-Collins as Leicester Tigers were defeated by treble winners Bath.
26-year-old Hassell-Collins started at Twickenham for the Tigers, who finished 11 points behind league leaders Bath, in the showpiece final.
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A close-fought and cagey occasion played in blistering heat, Bath edged their rivals out 23-21 to win their first top-flight title for 29 years and complete a domestic and European treble after already lifting the Premiership Cup and European Challenge Cup.
The Tigers twice had men sent to the sin bin – departing captain Julian Montoya late the first half, while it was not an ideal send-off for the retiring Dan Cole, who saw yellow late in the second.
(Image: Mike Egerton)
The former London Irish winger was facing fellow former Exile Joe Cokanasiga and was joined in the second half by Matt Rogerson, former London Irish captain before their expulsion in 2023.
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He scored 19 tries across the 2024/25 campaign and has played for England since his move to the Midlands.
Former teammate Henry Arundell, former Young Player of the Year with London Irish, is to join champions Bath ahead of the new season from Racing 92 in France.
Irish, who played at Reading's Select Car Leasing Stadium between 2000 and 2020, were rescued by the late Eddie Jordan in February, with hopes that they will return to professional rugby in 2026.
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