By PAUL REES

The final round of the regular Premiership season boiled down to who would claim England’s final place in next season’s Champions Cup.
The three contenders were all West Country clubs, which highlighted how Gloucester, Bristol and Bath had all underperformed throughout the campaign.
They were left chasing the consolation prize. Gloucester and Bristol faded after strong starts and it will be Bath, who were bottom of the table for much of the season after losing their first six matches, joining the elite of Europe and South Africa.
“We said we had to become tough to beat and I...