Already sitting proudly at the top of Pool 2 of the Champions Cup before kick-off, Bath emphatically underlined their credentials at The Rec by handing Edinburgh a crushing 63–10 defeat in the Investec Champions Cup. Dominant across the park and ruthless when opportunities arose, Johann van Graan’s side took control early before turning the contest into a one-sided affair after the break. This bonus-point victory confirms Bath’s first-place finish in the pool and guarantees a home Round of 16 tie, while Edinburgh leave Somerset with plenty to reflect on.
How the match unfolded
The evening did not start perfectly for the hosts. An early infringement from hooker Tom Dunn at the breakdown allowed Ross Thompson to slot a straightforward penalty and give Edinburgh a 3–0 lead. However, that moment proved little more than a brief inconvenience for Bath, whose response was immediate and increasingly authoritative. From the opening exchanges, the home side asserted themselves physically, particularly through a scrum that quickly became a decisive platform.
Bath began to dictate both territory and tempo, forcing Edinburgh onto the back foot. An initial attacking opportunity from a lineout went begging, but it served as a warning of what was to come. The pressure soon told. Camped five metres from the Scottish line, Bath’s forwards went to work, probing patiently before Thomas du Toit crashed over following a sharp carry from Dunn. Finn Russell added the extras, and the scoreboard finally reflected Bath’s growing superiority.
That first try opened the floodgates. With confidence flowing, Bath tightened their grip through the set-piece, and Edinburgh found themselves struggling to stem the tide. Another dominant scrum earned a penalty try soon after, the referee having little choice but to award seven points as Bath surged inexorably towards the line. Alfie Barbeary was already poised to score, underlining once again the damage being done by the blue, black and white pack.
Beno Obano then added further weight to Bath’s advantage, powering over from close range after yet another scrum had laid the foundations. At that point, Bath had established total control, suffocating Edinburgh with their physicality and accuracy. To their credit, the visitors did manage a response before the interval, taking advantage of one of their rare attacking forays. A well-worked move finished by Piers O’Conor, following a break from Harry Paterson, briefly gave Edinburgh hope.
Any thoughts of a comeback were swiftly extinguished. On the stroke of half-time, Bath returned to their strengths, grinding away near the line before Tom Dunn redeemed his early indiscretion by forcing his way over. The try secured the all-important bonus point and sent Bath into the break with a commanding 28–10 lead.
If there was any doubt about the outcome, the second half erased it completely. After a slightly scrappy opening period marked by handling errors and penalties on both sides, Bath clicked back into gear with devastating effect. Joe Cokanasiga, put into space by Max Ojomoh, showcased his power and balance to bulldoze his way over for a superb individual try.
Moments later, the winger turned provider. A sweeping move stretched the Edinburgh defence before Cokanasiga made the perfect decision, offloading to captain Ben Spencer, who raced in under the posts. The introduction of fresh legs from the bench only increased Bath’s tempo and precision. Henry Arundell, alert and explosive, took full advantage of a disorganised Scottish defensive line to add another try, highlighting the gulf between the two sides.
Bath continued to find joy out wide. A slick combination down the left ended with Cokanasiga finishing clinically, before Max Ojomoh capped the rout with a beautifully executed try from a Tom Carr-Smith skip pass, Finn Russell converting despite a tricky angle. The closing stages summed up the contest perfectly: Bath inventive, composed and relentless; Edinburgh stretched, weary and out of answers.
At the heart of this dominant display stood Alfie Barbeary, a figurehead for Bath’s physical superiority. Tireless in defence, destructive in contact and hugely influential at the base of the scrum, the number eight was a constant source of momentum. His ball-carrying repeatedly bent the Edinburgh line, and his contribution in the set-piece laid the groundwork for Bath’s dominance. Named Player of the Match, Barbeary once again showcased the qualities that place him firmly on the fringes of England contention, even if fierce competition in the back row continues to block his path at international level.
This emphatic bonus-point win secures Bath top spot in Pool 2 with 15 points, guaranteeing a home Round of 16 fixture in the Champions Cup — a major objective achieved with authority. For Edinburgh, now second on 10 points, qualification remains intact, but the manner of this defeat against a direct rival highlights the gap they must bridge if they are to challenge Europe’s elite in the knockout stages.
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