Bath Player Ratings vs La Rochelle – Blue, Black and Whites succumb to 24-20 defeat in Champions Cup opener
12/07/2024 11:30 AM
By Sam Jess
The rain was out in full force for the opening game of the Champions Cup and could have denied a classic, but a near comeback back was not complete, with La Rochelle holding off a valiant Bath fightback.
Three first-half tries from Oscar Jegou, Reda Wardi and Tewera Kerr-Barlow looked to sealed the deal for the visitors at 21-6 at halftime, but Bath fought back thanks to Tom Dunn and Guy Pepper but could not find the winning score.
Bath scored first after Brice Dulin dropped a kick from Will Muir, which gave Bath a decent platform, which they capitalised on after hefty carries from Charlie Ewels and Will Stuart forced a La Rochelle infringement, which Russell punished.
With the weather showing its full display of weapons in the rain, kicking was the name of the game, with both sides putting an array of high balls into the air.
The visitors were the next to capitalise on a drop ball as a mix-up from Bath on halfway gave La Rochelle an easy penalty, which they kicked into the corner. From there, the French outfit used the mobile forwards to eventually crash over with flanker Oscar Jegou, claiming the first try of the match.
After a slow start to life, La Rochelle were well up for the task after twenty minutes, and another pair of mistakes gave the O’Gara’s men a lineout 10m out; the French showed the credentials and rolled over for a monster try as Tolu Latu made it 12-3 to the visitors.
Despite a Finn Russell penalty, the two-time Champions were on fire when Bath gifted them another entry into 22, this time for crossing of the kick-off.
A lineout drive was expected, but the French changed it up and played it out. Kerr-Barlow caught a sensational pop off the top before drumming his way over for a wonderful finish.
Bath did manage to give them hope of a comeback when La Rochelle, much like Bath did in the first half, doubled on errors, allowing Bath another visit into the 22.
A rare successful lineout from Dunn and Ewels, and Bath rolled over for their first try of the match, with hooker crashing over before Russell curled a wonderful conversion.
Suddenly, it was the visitors making the mistakes and missed shots. A goal was combined with some poor penalties and drops before what looked like a Russell kick to nothing was not cleared up by Kerr-Barlow, and Bath dived on the scraps with Guy Pepper scoring.
Despite Bath attempting to throw everything at La Rochelle, poor lineouts and physical defence meant the hosts could not complete the comeback.
15. Tom de Glanville – 5
In tough conditions, De Glanville battled well with some nice catches, but once again, he made some baffling mistakes, including delaying a kick from a mark, allowing the French side to rush him.
14. Joe Cokanasiga – 4
His skills under the highball were shown up with some drops, giving the French visitors easy meters.
13. Cameron Redpath – 5
A rough and tough performance from Redpath wasn’t quite enough to give his side a platform
12. Will Butt – 6
In wet conditions, Butt never got going.
11. Will Muir – 7
One of Bath’s bright players, Muir was chasing everything, trying to win the kick contests but to little avail, but his effort can not be denied
10. Finn Russell – 8
Russell was at the heart of everything for Bath today, trying to produce and deliver a range of kicks which at times gave Bath some better field position.
9. Louis Schreuder – 7
With no Spencer, Schreuder was brought into the starting side and produced a solid display with some stunning box kicks while he also added control to proceedings.
1. Thomas du Toit – 8
Up against the French powerhouse of Atonio, du Toit held his own and even won a few scrum penalties despite playing his least favored position.
2. Tom Dunn – 3
The lineout was once again a lottery with some overthrows and dummied efforts, showing Dunn’s poor game. Another drop was just when Bath did not need it, and it was a day to forget.
3. Will Stuart – 6
A man in some form at the moment, Stuart produced some hefty scrums and power, and when he came off, the scrum wobbled. Some monster carries helped Bath back into the match
4. Quinn Roux – 7
A attritional performance, but the lineout wobbled and cost Bath the game as him nor Ewels could rescue it.
5. Charlie Ewels (c), – 6
With Captain Spencer out, Ewels took over the captaincy for the first time under van Graan. The lock had some beefy carries but the lineout was a shambles again.
6. Ted Hill – 6
A game not suited to his skill set, Hill showed heart and power to get some momentum.
7. Guy Pepper – 7
Unlike in previous weeks, Pepper was quiet and could not stop the La Rochelle threat in 22. However, his fortunes changed when he dived on a loose ball in goal to claim an opportunistic try
8. Miles Reid – A grafter in tough condition, Reid showed his strengths with some hefty carries and was the primary carrier in escaping the 22 for Bath.
Replacements:
16. Niall Annett – 6
On tasked at improving the lineout, Annett was also his action all areas self with an abrasive performance including a neat turnover and while he did find some improvement in the lineout it still was not match winning level.
17. Francois van Wyk – 5
Not his best game off the bench as Bath’s scrum collapsed.
18. Archie Griffin – 6
The prop is having a tough time of it as of late with another testing evening in the scrum.
19. Ross Molony – N/A
20. Josh Bayliss – N/A
21. Tom Carr-Smith – N//A
22. Max Ojomoh – N/A
23. Jaco Coetzee -7
On for his usual 30 minutes off the bench, Coetzee was strong and powerful but did not have the edge required.
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