Bath Rugby beat Edinburgh Rugby 63-10 at the Recreation Ground on Friday night in Round Four of the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup
18:49, 17 Jan 2026Updated 19:29, 17 Jan 2026
(Image: PA)
Bath Rugby smashed Edinburgh 63-10 at the Rec on Friday night to secure a first home knock-out match in the Champions Cup since 2002.
After Toulon failed to collect a bonus-point win last week vs Munster, Bath’s job to secure a home knock-out was simple: win and receive at least a home last 16 tie. They made a good start to it, scoring four first-half tries, with each member of their front row scoring as Thomas du Toit, Beno Obano and Tom Dunn, while they also collected a penalty try.
Edinburgh’s task was always going to be tough, but they did manage a lovely counter-attack try with Piers O’Connor scoring before halftime.
Bath were slightly sluggish in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, but suddenly they switched the dial and dominated their opponents with five second-half tries as Joe Cokanasiga collected a brace, while Henry Arundell, Ben Spencer and Max Ojomoh completed the rout as Bath ended with nine tries.
Rugby writer Sam Jess takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bath Rugby players….
15. Tom de Glanville – 7
Returning after a few weeks of injury, De Glanville had some good moments in the fringes and put in some subtle kicks in behind the tiring Edinburgh defence. The full-back did have to come off on 52 minutes for an apparent ankle injury.
14. Joe Cokanasiga – 8
A sensational second half saw one of Cokanasiga’s best attacking outings. He scored one of his best tries in recent memory as he brushed off several Edinburgh defenders before diving under the sticks. Moments later, he sliced the visitors’ defence in two before passing inside to Spencer for the skipper’s try. A try later on, and Cokanasiga was enjoying an excellent second-half.
13. Ollie Lawrence – 7
After missing last week with an ankle injury, Lawrence had some decent carries, but again, his hands were poor. He also took some strange options. His defensive work was on point, leading to a crucial turnover on the elusive Darcy Graham.
12. Max Ojomoh – 8
The centre once again had some neat moments while also showing his speed with a great show and go, but he failed to find Spencer on the inside, which would cost the host as Edinburgh would counter to score a try of their own. However, he was much more clinical in the second half, putting on a sensational display.
11. Henry Arundell – 7
Arundell’s involvement was limited, but his pure pace made things happen wherever he got the ball. He almost scored a magical solo try but lost the ball in contact at the final hurdle.
10. Finn Russell – 7
Russell had one of his more lively performances of the season and helped the backline find some space in the wider channels. He produced an almost perfect second-half display with his decision-making until he dropped a simple pass at the end.
9. Ben Spencer (c) – 8
Captain Fantastic once again. The skipper controlled proceedings as ever with his pinpoint box-kicks, while his speed at the ruck ball was rapid when it needed to be. He ran some superb support lines and collected another try for his efforts. He also enjoyed a rare 20 minutes’ rest as he was replaced at 63 minutes.
1. Beno Obano – 8
One of Bath’s unsung heroes of the season, Obano carried well around the fringes and notched up his sixth try, his best ever total in a Bath shirt.
2. Tom Dunn – 7
The hooker was guilty of conceding an early penalty, but made up for it with some brutal carries and scored on the stroke of halftime.
3. Thomas du Toit – 9
After the side had fluffed a few opportunities in the 22, Du Toit was once again on hand to score from close range, while he also showed his power in the scrum.
4. Quinn Roux – 7
The lock pairing provides so much control and stability, and Roux again did so much of the hard yards to give his halfbacks a platform.
5. Ross Molony – 7
A steady platform once again from Molony, who was brutal as ever in the set-piece.
6. Guy Pepper – 7
The flanker showed some neat pace around the park to collect the scraps, while his energy was immense as he kept on going to cause chaos.
7. Sam Underhill – 7
Back from a small injury, Underhill did some decent stuff in defence, while he was also quietly good in the loose.
8. Alfie Barbeary – 9
A man in fine form put in some hefty carries in the opening exchanges. The eight also showed his attacking prowess with a sensational chip-and-chase, which almost resulted in a third Bath try. It wasn’t just his attack work that was on point; he also managed a maul turnover just after halftime. Barbeary looks like he is playing for a new contract at the club, having earned his third man of the match in a row.
Replacements
16. Dan Frost – 7
A neat cameo from Frost, who almost set up a wonder try with a brilliant break.
17. Francois van Wyk – N/A
18. Archie Griffin – N/A
19. Ted Hill – 7
The lock added power and his lineout skills in the second half
20. Miles Reid – 8
Another menacing performance off the bench as he slowed Edinburgh’s limited ball down plenty of times.
21. Tom Carr-Smith – 8
In a rare twenty-minute cameo, Carr-Smith showed his attacking intent and kept Bath ticking over as they began to tear their opponents apart.
22. Santi Carreras – 7
The Argentine showed some attacking intent to help unlock the Edinburgh defence.
23. Cameron Redpath – 8
The centre came on and helped Bath run Edinburgh ragged in the final twenty.