The Castres, dominated, could do nothing against the English champion (43-20). Qualifying for the round of 16 is getting complicated.
Beaten on home soil by the reigning English champion Bath (43-20), Castres saw the race for qualification become very seriously complicated after the third and penultimate day of the Champions Cup group stage, Friday evening.
A defeat, without the slightest point to take: for the CO, the hopes of continuing the adventure beyond the group stage, like last season when they reached the quarter-finals, have greatly diminished.
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While waiting for the meeting between Toulon and Munster at Mayol on Sunday (2:00 p.m.), Xavier Sadourny’s men fall to last place in their group, while Bath have consolidated their leadership position.
Led by their Scottish fly-half Finn Russell, sober a few weeks before the Six Nations Tournament, and by their No.8 Alfie Barbeary, untenable, the English confirmed that they had all the makings of a serious client in view of the spring.
Coming with a team which included many executives despite the absences of England internationals Sam Underhill and Ollie Lawrence, Bath gradually got their hands on the game, never seeming to doubt and finishing the match with six tries scored.
Last hope on the Munster pitch
For Castres, the trip to the Irish side Munster next week will serve as a last hope, while Xavier Sadourny estimated during the week that two victories might not be enough to continue the adventure.
The Castres, however, had gone the distance in a first act where the two teams went blow for blow. Opportunistic in the face of the mastery and power of the English, the OC took the lead during the first half hour.
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While downpours had fallen on the Tarn in the hours preceding the match, the rain stopped a few moments before kick-off, suggesting a more open game than expected, but it was on a carried ball that hooker Teddy Durand launched his team (7-0, 7th).
Two yellow cards against the English
Bath were able to respond to Castres’ achievements thanks to long tiring sequences, despite two yellow cards collected in the first period. Scottish international Cameron Redpath responded to Durand, then third row Ted Hill brought his side back up to par after a nice try from Nathanaël Hulleu.
Renowned for the striking force of their pack, the English of South African manager Johann Christoffel van Graan went in front shortly before the break with a try sent into the in-goal thanks to the push of 13 of his men, then Bath took off through Beno Obano, author of the bonus try.
Despite a semblance of revolt from the CO, Bath finished the game unwinding, helped by the indiscipline of the Tarnes, and can look forward to the rest of the competition.
