Latest
Overview
Season so far
Tournament record
Bath Rugby know that a fourth straight victory in this season's Amlin Challenge Cup could leave them on the brink of the quarter-finals. - 12/12/2013 15:13
Bath have already guaranteed a place in the last eight ahead of their home tie with second placed Bordeaux-Begles.
Victory at Newport Gwent Dragons ensured they secured a quarter-final spot with a week to spare after they travelled to South Wales knowing two points would have been enough to see them through.
Bath had the bonus point wrapped up just past half an hour at Rodney Parade as they raced into a 27-3 lead, before taking their foot of the pedal once the job was all but done. That was Bath’s fifth straight win in Pool 2 and it saw them move on to 23 points and ensured they are now in pole position to finish as the tournament’s top seeds.
Maximum points against Bordeaux would mean they end the pool stages as top dogs across all five groups regardless of other results, setting up a home tie with the Amlin Challenge Cup group winner with the lowest tally of points, currently French outfit Brive.
A losing bonus point would be enough to secure a home tie at The Rec at the beginning of April, while even a complete failure could still be enough to see them finish among the top four seeds.
Bath won the reverse fixture 15-6 at the Stade Andre Moga in October and it would be a major surprise if Bordeaux were to turn that result around in the West Country. Raphael Ibanez’ side won on the road in Mogliano in Round 2 but were well beaten by the Dragons in December.
Their only other away win since they returned to European competition after a nine-year absence was at Rovigo two seasons ago.
Bath will be the top seeds for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals after they cruised past Bordeaux-Begles at The Rec to seal a home tie in the last eight. - 16/01/2014 21:40
Bath will be the top seeds for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals after they cruised past Bordeaux-Begles at The Rec to seal a home tie in the last eight.
The 2008 tournament winners will be top dogs for a second season running thanks to an eight try success that saw them finish the pool stages with six wins and 27 points.
George Ford celebrated his senior England call up with another assured display that included a well-taken try and 12 points from the tee, while Semesa Rokoduguni grabbed a brace and Tom Biggs, Anthony Perenise, Jonathan Joseph, Dominic Day and Kyle Eastmond also crossed in a 54-13 success.
Bath enjoyed a dream start as Biggs crossed with just over a minute played following a stunning burst from Anthony Watson. The new England squad member sliced through the Bordeaux midfield from deep in his own territory and Biggs was on hand to dive over five metres in from the right touchline.
Ford converted with ease despite the difficult angle to put Bath 7-0 up but Bordeaux responded in fine fashion with a brace of penalties from Manu Saubusse to cut the gap to a single point before the 10-minute mark.
Biggs came close to a second try on 22 minutes after he wriggled free from Ford’s inside pass following a strong carry from Francois Louw but the rugby league-bound winger lost control as he stretched for the line.
The West Country faithful had to wait until seven minutes before the break to celebrate a second try as the visitors more than held their own as Bath struggled to keep hold of possession in the wet conditions. A period of sustained pressure eventually resulted in Ford dancing through from close-range, with the youngster’s conversion giving Bath a 14-6 advantage.
The next score followed almost immediately, though, as Bath stamped their authority in some style. Rokoduguni chased up Ford’s well-placed chip ahead and, when Bath won turnover ball and patiently recycled possession, Leroy Houston’s long pass put prop Perenise in at the left-hand corner.
Another excellent conversion from Ford gave Bath a 21-6 lead to take into half time and they had the bonus point in the bag just five minutes after the restart as Joseph sliced through from Ford’s pass on the edge of the 22.
Bordeaux came close to opening their try-scoring account through prop Patrick Toetu but instead it was Bath who celebrated their fifth score when Day picked up the loose ball after Ford’s kick caused havoc on 50 minutes.
Ford added both conversions and did the same again when Rokoduguni flew down the right wing for a fine individual try with 58 minutes gone.
Bath led 42-6 at that point and it was 47 just past the hour when Eastmond was driven over from a move that started with a stunning burst from replacement prop Nathan Catt.
Ford missed for the first time in seven attempts and it was Bordeaux who finished the stronger as they refused to buckle. They were rewarded with a try by Gilem Queheille with two minutes left as they made the most of Ryan Caldwell’s yellow card but Bath had the last laugh when Rokoduguni scored his second with the final play and Matt Banahan converted.
LIVE - TEST - Commentary