‘You’ve got to fire a shot’ – Brian O’Driscoll criticises Bath non drop-goal attempt that will live with them all summer
Brian O'Driscoll reacts to Bath v Exeter Chiefs thriller.
Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll has lamented Bath’s refusal to attempt a late drop-goal in their PREM Rugby semi-final defeat to Exeter Chiefs at the Rec on Saturday.
Bath were camped on Exeter’s try-line for over 40 phases with the clock in the red and trailed by just a single point as a spot in the 2025/26 final was in the balance.
Despite having several chances to sit back in the pocket and take a shot, the hosts backed the close-range carrying game that was ultimately kept out by the Chiefs.
That has led to the obvious post-mortem of the 27-26 loss by pundits and fans alike, with O’Driscoll struggling with the fact Bath didn’t look to attempt a drop-goal.
Prime position
“You’ve got to fire a shot,” he told TNT Sports. “About 15 phases where they got into position, maybe it was even a bit later than that, maybe it was 18, 19, 20 phases, when they were deep down in the territory they wanted to be.
“That is the prime position to find yourself in, under the sticks, maybe favouring one side of the post as a right-footer, maybe, but it’s set up on the left-hand side.
“The problem is, it’s been an 80-minute game. Your forwards are exhausted, there’s lots of heat out here, there’s so much stress – you’re going to knock the ball on or you’re going to make an error. You have to take that away from the rest of your team.”
O’Driscoll recalled a couple of World Cup moments after watching what unfolded at the Rec, zoning in on how England nailed their late 2003 opportunity to a tee.
“It reminds me a little bit of Wales’ semi-final in the World Cup 2011 [v France, a 9-8 loss], maybe not 40 phases, but you never actually got one away and, if you miss it, so be it,” the former Ireland centre continued.
“Akin to the 2003 World Cup [when Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal edged the Wallabies], the best way to go and set up a drop goal is still to continue to play attacking rugby, to feel as though you’re going one more phase, because then the defence is back on their heels, not waiting to sprint off the line.
“If you set it up, that’s where it gets blocked down. Whereas you have to go for it, go for it, go for it, and then when you get a bit of momentum, go for it, that’s the best place to pull the trigger.
Bath were again without star fly-half Finn Russell on Saturday so a large part of the responsibility fell on the shoulders of Santiago Carreras, who remained flat.
“Unfortunately, Carreras didn’t look at any point like he was clearly interested, although he almost did score himself right at the death from an attack,” said O’Driscoll.
“But the more phases you play, the more you run the risk of a knock-on or an exhausted pass not going to hand or, in the end, held up over the line, which is hugely frustrating.
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“They’ll think about that over the summer, they’ll rue the missed opportunity of just taking a shot. You can never blame anyone for missing a shot, you’ve got to take a shot.”
It was a remarkable turnaround from Exeter who had trailed 26-10 at one point but tries from Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau and Zak Burger secured a stunning win.
Warburton reaction
However, ex-Wales captain Sam Warburton was of a similar view to O’Driscoll after the match and couldn’t look past the non-decision from Bath to take the drop-goal.
“I feel bad saying it but Carreras has to step up, he has to step up at that moment,” he said.
“We were watching it on the screen, I bet there were number 10s screaming at the TV. It was the perfect opportunity to take the three points.
“Your forwards had gone 80 minutes into the game, over 30 phases.”