Four-try Bath beaten at Toulon in Champions Cup thriller

Bath Rugby scored four tries but were beaten when they visited French side RC Toulon on Sunday 14th December.

Bath Rugby have won one and lost one of their two games in this season’s Investec Champions Cup, following up their victory over Munster Rugby here at The Rec by losing 45-34 at RC Toulon | Photo © Richard Briggs

The Blue, Black & White entered Stade Mayol top of Pool 2 of the Investec Champions Cup. And despite their 45-34 setback in the Round 2 fixture, they still lead the way – albeit by only one point from all of the other five teams. So the bonus point they picked up on the Riviera was crucial.

While Bath saw off Munster at The Rec in Round 1, Toulon were beaten by Edinburgh Rugby in their opener so had a big point to prove.

But the hosts, who lie in third place in the Top 14, found themselves behind in the ninth minute, when Finn Russell kicked a 17-metre penalty from in front of the posts.

However, Toulon responded four minutes later with a try from Brian Alainu’uese on the right following a five-metre line-out, Matéo Garcia converting.

Russell booted a 22-metre penalty from in front of the posts in the 16th minute to leave Bath only a point behind. But Garcia responded in kind three minutes later to make the score 10-6.

The Blue, Black & White regained the lead when, in the 21st minute, Ted Hill touched down from short range on the left. Russell converted and the visitors were 13-10 in front.

Another Garcia penalty tied the game in the 25th minute – and Toulon went five points up when Nacho Brex crossed on the right for a 33nd-minute try.

Garcia landed a 47th-minute penalty to stretch Toulon’s advantage to 21-13.

But Bath hit back when Santi Carreras touched down from five metres on the left after a pass by Russell in the 51st minute. Russell added the extras.

However, again the home side responded. Gaël Drean made a fine run on the left on his way to adding a 55th-minute try, Garcia majored and Toulon were 28-20 in front.

Guests’ head of rugby Johann van Graan brought on his six replacement forwards – Kepueli Tuipulotu, Francois van Wyk, Thomas du Toit, Ewan Richards, Miles Reid and Arthur Green – in the 58th minute.

And the move paid dividends as Green touched down from close range two minutes later. Russell was successful from the tee and Bath were again only a point behind.

Toulon secured their four-try bonus point when Lewis Ludlam went over in the left corner in the 66th minute, Garcia landing the two points.

Garcia then kicked a 74th-minute penalty to hand Toulon a 38-27 cushion.

Replacement Louie Hennessey scored the 75th-minute try that secured the Blue, Black & White’s bonus point. Collecting the ball from Max Ojomoh 38 metres out, he made a superb run and crossed under the posts. Russell converted and van Graan’s men were only 38-34 down.

But Bath’s challenge was extinguished when Toulon’s Teddy Baubigny touched down from a line-out drive on the left with the clock in the red, Garcia slotting over the extras via the right post to complete the scoring.

Toulon had 54% of the possession and 55% of the territory in the thrilling encounter. They made 307 metres, whereas Bath gained 312 metres.

Bath starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Vilikesa Sela, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Tom Carr-Smith, 10 Finn Russell, Henry Arundell, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Max Ojomoh, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Santi Carreras.

Bath replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ewan Richards, 20 Miles Reid, 21 Neil le Roux, 22 Louie Hennessey, 23 Arthur Green.

Toulon starting XV: 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Swan Rebbadj, 5 Brian Alainu’uese, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Zach Mercer, 9 Baptiste Serin, 10 Matéo Garcia, 11 Setariki Tuicuvu, 12 Jérémy Sinzelle, 13 Nacho Brex, 14 Gaël Drean, 15 Mathis Ferte.

Toulon replacements: 16 Teddy Baubigny, 17 Leo Ametlla, 18 Dany Priso, 19 Corentin Mezou, 20 Esteban Abadie, 21 Ben White, 22 Mathieu Smaili, 23 Joe Quere Karaba.

The Investec Champions Cup now takes a break until the new year. And Bath will return to France for Round 3 – Castres Olympique await at Stade Pierre-Fabre on Friday 9th January.

The Blue, Black & White will be back in Gallagher PREM action on Sunday 21st December, when they take on Newcastle Red Bulls at Kingston Park Stadium (3pm). To purchase tickets for the Round 7 game, click here.

Bath will return to The Rec on Saturday 27th December, when they face Northampton Saints in PREM Round 8.