Bath Rugby delivered an outstanding performance in France, securing a commanding 43-20 away victory against Castres Olympique at Stade Pierre-Fabre on Friday night. This crucial win places Bath firmly in contention to top Pool 2 of the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup.
The first half was fiercely competitive, with both sides exchanging tries. Castres opened the scoring through hooker Teddy Durand-Pradere, followed by centre Nathanael Hulleu crossing the line. Bath responded strongly with three tries from Cam Redpath, Ted Hill, and Tom Dunn, all capitalizing on close-range opportunities. Despite receiving two yellow cards—Beno Obano and Will Muir both spending time in the sin bin—Bath entered halftime with a narrow 21-17 lead.
The rainstorm that hit before kickoff left the pitch slick and challenging, causing some early handling errors, including a knock-on from Bath’s Finn Russell. Nevertheless, Bath grew stronger after the break. They struck quickly in the second half, securing the vital bonus-point try when Beno Obano powered over on 47 minutes. Russell added a penalty soon after, and late tries from Will Muir and Tom Carr-Smith, with almost immediate impact off the bench, sealed the emphatic victory.
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The game featured intense physicality and tactical battles. Castres’ defence and discipline faltered under Bath’s forward momentum, resulting in numerous penalties. Bath’s pack dominated critical moments, particularly in driving mauls, and a crucial turnover by Vilikesa Sela helped swing momentum back in their favour.
Off the bench, Thomas du Toit’s powerful scrum set up vital territory, while captain Alfie Barbeary’s dynamic runs sparked attacking moves that repeatedly breached Castres’ defensive line. Will Butt’s impactful contributions off the bench—including a decisive turnover and a break leading to the final try—helped maintain Bath’s grip on the game.
This comprehensive performance not only silenced the enthusiastic Castres crowd but also demonstrates Bath Rugby’s growing strength in the Champions Cup. With a home game against Edinburgh coming up next, Bath are set to continue their impressive European campaign.