‘You won’t see better this decade!’ – England scrum-half hailed for ‘sensational’ try-saving tackle

Jared Wright
Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer makes a try-saving tackle on Sale Sharks' Arron Read.

Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer makes a try-saving tackle on Sale Sharks' Arron Read.

England scrum-half Ben Spencer, in a display of sheer brilliance, executed a stunning try-saving tackle during Bath’s Premiership Rugby clash with the Sale Sharks on Sunday at the Recreation Ground.

Spencer has been in stunning form for Bath this season, earning a Test recall for England during the 2024 Six Nations.

Despite not capitalising on his opportunity when he came off the bench for the Red Rose in the Calcutta Cup loss to Scotland, Spencer bounced back with a resounding performance for the men in Blue, Black and White.

Spencer’s try saver

Bath started the match brilliantly, with Matt Gallagher racing over in the 4th minute of the match, but Sale responded swiftly through the boot of George Ford, who knocked over a penalty before throwing a brilliant ball out to Manu Tuilagi, who thundered through and over the try line.

Joe Cokanasiga’s try got Bath back in front, but the host looked to have let their advantage slip when Gus Warr stabbed a fantastic kick through for Arron Read sped.

The rapid winger looked to be running clear for a try, but Spencer intervened brilliantly as he grabbed Read just a few metres short of the line and managed to twist the winger onto his back and hold him up over the line.

“Oh, what a tackle!” the TNT commentary exclaimed.

“That is a sensational, brilliant play from Sale, all-round read by Read, brilliant kick by Warr, but you will not see a better try-saving tackle than this, this decade. That is fantastic.”

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The tackle from Spencer denied Sale a quick response after Bath’s score and meant that the hosts would hold onto their 14-10 lead until half-time.

Spencer’s heroics were only praised by onlookers on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

“Ben Spencer, that is phenomenal. Still sad, Sarries let him go!” One fan wrote.

Another added: “Ben Spencer take a bow!!!”

One onlooker said that Read did well to regather the ball, “but props to Spencer for an insanely good tackle.”

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Bath Ben Spencer