Alfie Barbeary has once again proven why he’s a serial player of the match, leading Bath Rugby to an emphatic victory over Edinburgh in the European Champions Cup. The team’s hunger to secure a home match in the last 16 was clear as they dominated the game, winning by more than 50 points on Friday night.
Bath’s dominance was evident early on, with all three front-row players — Thomas du Toit, Beno Obano, and Tom Dunn — scoring tries in the first half. They also contributed to winning a scrum penalty try, setting the tone for the match. The backs took over in the second half, with wing Joe Cokanasiga crossing the line twice, and Ben Spencer, Henry Arundell, and Max Ojomoh all adding tries for the Blue, Black & Whites.
Speaking to Premier Sports, Barbeary, who was named player of the match for the third consecutive game, expressed the team’s motivation: “We had a hunger for this game – we wanted a home draw in the knockout stages, so that was the big thing for us. We came out flying and the result showed. We can’t wait for the next round; we’ll see who we get and where the pool ends up and go from there.”
READ MORE: Somerset MPs Demand Government Prevent 11% Council Tax Hike
READ MORE: Somerset Site with Alleged Unexploded WWII Bomb Approved for 27 New Homes
Bath’s head of rugby, Johann van Graan, praised Barbeary’s outstanding performance and the team’s discipline. “Alfie is playing some fantastic rugby, carrying the ball exceptionally well and giving us go-forward. Our discipline was really good tonight. In the first half, we got in four times and scored four tries. We were clinical but have a few weeks to work on. We will take nine tries at home though. There is still more in us. The intent is there to play. Defensively, we were really good. We kept them scoreless in the second half, so it was a great all-round performance from us.”
Edinburgh, missing several key players, managed only one try—a stunning piece of running rugby initiated by full-back Harry Paterson, who exploited a mismatch to assist Ben Vellacott and Piers O’Conor in scoring under the posts. However, their resistance faded as Bath’s relentless pressure mounted.
In the second half, Bath capitalized on the space, with magician Max Ojomoh breaking down the Scottish defense repeatedly, bolstering his England credentials ahead of the Six Nations. Cokanasiga scored two tries, while Spencer, Arundell, and Ojomoh also found the try line. Edinburgh’s Finn Russell was flawless off the tee, converting eight kicks, but he missed a late try opportunity after a break from Dan Frost.
Bath’s tactical execution paid dividends, earning them their first home knockout game in the Champions Cup in 24 years. This victory also helped address concerns about the back line’s effectiveness this season. Their next challenge will be a home quarter-final against Saracens, with hopes of advancing to face Northampton Saints or Castres.
Looking ahead, Bath will need to sharpen their game further to compete with European heavyweights like Toulouse or Bordeaux, whose packs rival the physicality of the English side. For now, head coach Johann van Graan will focus on preparing his team over the coming months.