Bath’s quest for a rare treble of trophies remains firmly on track after they crushed Gloucester 61-26 in a high-scoring, chaotic West Country derby in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals. The dominant performance saw Bath outscore their rivals nine tries to four, securing a place in the semi-finals where they will face Edinburgh in early May. Bath enter the next stage as clear favourites, and if they manage to get the job done in the Scottish capital, a final against either Lyon or Racing 92 awaits, just a week before the Premiership playoffs.
Head coach Johann van Graan expressed relief after the match, acknowledging that Gloucester are always a tough opponent. He emphasized that while Bath’s attack has been firing on all cylinders, it is their ability to contain the opposition that has been crucial. “It’s the seventh game in a row where we’ve scored 40 points or more. But the most important thing is can we keep the opposition down. Our attack and our defence are working pretty well at the moment,” van Graan said.
The match itself felt like more of an exhibition game than a knockout quarter-final, with Bath running rampant under warm sunshine at the Recreation Ground. Eight first-half tries set the tone for a thrilling encounter, with both teams showing moments of brilliance but also committing defensive errors. Bath’s opening try came from Tom de Glanville, who finished off a slick move sparked by Finn Russell’s precise pass to Ciaran Donoghue. Gloucester responded quickly, with Gareth Anscombe’s pinpoint cross-kick finding Santiago Carreras in the corner. However, it was clear that both sides struggled defensively.
Gloucester’s weakness up front led to several Bath tries, with a rolling maul seeing Tom Dunn cross over, while a loose lineout throw gifted Ross Molony the chance to set up tighthead Archie Griffin for a simple score. Donoghue was also caught out by a sharp step from Gloucester’s Jack Singleton, and some disjointed defensive work allowed Ben Spencer to finish off a move in the blindside.
Even the most experienced players were not immune to mistakes. An underhit kick from Russell handed Gloucester possession, and they took advantage with a Jacob Morris try. However, Bath quickly regained control, with Alfie Barbeary showing his predatory instincts by gathering a loose ball to score just before halftime.
After the break, Gloucester made a change, bringing on six forwards in an attempt to bolster their pack. However, it had little impact as Bath continued to dominate. Barbeary quickly added his second try after Gloucester failed to secure a lineout and missed several tackles. Jaco Coetzee, Bath’s replacement, kept the points flowing by slicing through the Gloucester defence for a try under the posts.
As the game progressed, Bath’s attacking prowess showed no signs of slowing. Ted Hill’s try took Bath past the 50-point mark, and a score from Lewis Ludlow ensured the game’s tally crossed the 80-point barrier. Tom Carr-Smith added a final score for Bath, rounding off a remarkable victory that highlighted the vast gulf in quality between the two teams.
Bath’s squad depth was a key factor in their dominance, with Barbeary acknowledging the energy brought by the players coming off the bench. “The boys add so much energy off the bench, and I don’t think anyone can compete with us,” he said. Van Graan also noted the competitiveness within the squad, revealing that he had “three full teams training against each other” on Friday, which has helped keep the players sharp. Bath’s ability to rotate and maintain intensity is a testament to their strength across multiple fronts.
In the context of European rugby, where French clubs are often regarded as the benchmark, Bath’s performance has sent a strong message. They are a team to be reckoned with, carrying the flag for English clubs in a competition that is dominated by the might of the French sides. With a talented squad and an attacking style that seems unstoppable, Bath are primed for a historic end to the season.
