Bath head coach Johann van Graan commended the performance of number eight Alfie Barbeary in the team’s 61-26 victory over Gloucester in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final.
Barbeary, who is yet to be capped, showcased his talent by scoring two of Bath’s nine tries and exerting a dominant presence throughout the match at the Recreation Ground. He was named the player of the match for his exceptional contribution, with his second try standing out as he surged through the defense of Lewis Ludlow, Will Butler, and Ruan Ackermann to score a pivotal try with a swan dive.
Van Graan emphasized Barbeary’s potential for international rugby, stating, “The reason I signed him two years ago was because of his Test potential. When we started this journey together, one of the first things we were looking for were ball-carriers and I believe he is one of the very best ball-carriers."
Comparing Barbeary to CJ Stander, Van Graan highlighted his ability to carry in tight spaces and credited his dedication to improving his game and fitness, underscoring his significance to the team.
Bath’s victory secures them a spot in the Challenge Cup semi-finals against Edinburgh, marking their advancement in the competition for the first time in 17 years. Apart from Barbeary’s standout performance, the match saw tries from Tom de Glanville, Tom Dunn, Archie Griffin, Ben Spencer, Jaco Coetzee, Ted Hill, and Tom Carr-Smith, with Finn Russell contributing eight conversions.
With their sights set on the Challenge Cup and Premiership title, Bath, who have already claimed the Premiership Rugby Cup, are pursuing a trophy treble.
Reflecting on the team’s hunger and determination, Captain Ben Spencer expressed, “The great thing about this squad is it keeps wanting to improve and get better. We park the last result quickly and we move on to the next result. There is massive hunger within the squad.”
While Gloucester put up a notable first-half performance with tries from Santi Carreras, Jack Singleton, Jake Morris, and Lewis Ludlow, they were unable to challenge Bath’s dominance in the contest.
In response to the outcome, Gloucester rugby director George Skivington admitted, “We were beaten in every facet… We made errors and it snowballed. This is a tough one to take. I wasn’t expecting this to be a high scoreline, I thought it would be a lot tighter."
Acknowledging Bath as a formidable force, Skivington recognized the challenge they pose and their potential for achieving a treble.
