Barbeary shows class as Bath score nine tries to race into Champions Cup last 16

Two tries for Cokanasiga while front-rowers all score, too

NINE TRY ROUT: Bath's Alfie Barbeary celebrates Tom Dunn scoring a try. Picture: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Champions Cup: Bath 63 Edinburgh 10

Scotland’s fly-half Finn Russell had spoken about his desire to claim the pre-Six Nations bragging rights at the expense of several good mates in the Edinburgh squad. There was never the slightest doubt his wish would be granted as Bath eased to a comprehensive nine-try victory that guarantees pool winner status plus a home knockout draw in the last 16 and, potentially, beyond.

On this occasion Russell also had the luxury of an armchair ride behind a Bath pack who took an early grip on the contest and never let go. Even if Edinburgh had turned up in north-east Somerset with their best side, as opposed to resting a few senior men, they would have been hard pressed to put too many dents in the black-shirted tanks and electric sprinters parked up opposite.

Scotland’s fly-half Finn Russell had spoken about his desire to claim the pre-Six Nations bragging rights at the expense of several good mates in the Edinburgh squad. There was never the slightest doubt his wish would be granted as Bath eased to a comprehensive nine-try victory that guarantees pool winner status plus a home knockout draw in the last 16 and, potentially, beyond.

On this occasion Russell also had the luxury of an armchair ride behind a Bath pack who took an early grip on the contest and never let go. Even if Edinburgh had turned up in north-east Somerset with their best side, as opposed to resting a few senior men, they would have been hard pressed to put too many dents in the black-shirted tanks and electric sprinters parked up opposite.

To nobody’s surprise it was the signal for Bath to start turning the screw. From another good close-range position there was no stopping Beno Obano from crashing over and, at 21-3, it was already case of damage limitation for the visitors. Who needs to attack endlessly out wide when the gate through the middle is proving so effective?

The truth of the matter, of course, is that it is a matter of balance, particularly when the bigger knockout games come around. Bath, from that perspective, really should have had a fourth try when Max Ojomoh opted to go it alone rather than using Ben Spencer on his outside and were soon cursing their profligacy. A snaking break from the athletic Harry Paterson put Ben Vellacott into space at the other end and a smart angled line from Piers O’Conor earned Edinburgh a lovely try.

It was only a temporary blip as Bath swiftly restored order in now familiar fashion. The visitors did their collective best to repel the onrushing waves on their own try-line but there was a complete inevitability to the eventual score by Tom Dunn, clearly keen to join his fellow front-rowers on to the scoresheet.

The only question was whether Bath might look to widen their focus slightly more in the second half. They clearly have the players to do so and England’s coaches will have enjoyed the sight of Ojomoh throwing a sweet left-to-right pass out to Joe Cokanasiga, who spun out of the tackle for a cracking score.

Cokanasiga, who finished with a brace of tries, also set up Bath’s sixth try, thundering through the middle before sending his skipper Spencer over untouched. The rest was a blur of one-way traffic by a home side who have the artillery to go much further this season if their key men can stay fit.

Guardian