Following Bath’s 39-24 win over Edinburgh in the EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final, here are our key winners and losers from the Hive Stadium.
Winners
James Lang
A really strong outing from the centre, and one that could really boost his hopes of a Scotland recall this summer. Lang gave his side consistent punch through the middle, but combined that well with some lovely gallops through open field and combined well with the rest of the backline around him to good effect too. Scotland will likely be without Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu this summer, with the pair expected to don the British and Irish Lions jersey, so a performance like this against fellow competitors will really help his cause to make Gregor Townsend’s squad.
Mosese Tuipulotu
Thrust on after just four minutes, but had a huge effect on the game. Just looked a consistent threat whenever he touched the ball, combining really well with Lang, Ross Thompson and Ali Price to make some proper dents into the Bath line. Rounding things off, he grabbed a lovely try too. He might be seen as just Sione’s brother by many, but he looks a real talent and will likely be in the Scotland squad again this summer.
Grant Gilchrist
Super physical outing from the imperious forward, who continues to show no signs of ageing. He just rolled his sleeves up and got stuck into the battle up front, often coming out on top too. You feel his side wouldn’t have been in the contest as much as they were if not for the Scotland lock’s efforts.
Sam Underhill
Brilliant, simply brilliant. The England star seemed on a personal vendetta to destroy Price at every turn, which the Scotland nine reacted to in good jest to his credit, and that fuelled a breathtaking performance on the eve of the Lions squad announcement. He just took names with every tackle, and complemented that with some nice carries and grabbed a try for his efforts. Just superb, again, from Underhill.
Tom Dunn
A really classy display from the ever-consistent Dunn. Provided his side with a lovely platform at the set-piece, particularly the lineout, put in the hard graft in the tight and fittingly notched two tries for his efforts. He probably hasn’t won as many Test caps as he deserves, in all honesty, but he’s been at the heart of Bath’s rise under Johann van Graan, and he yet again showed his value to the team. Cruelly picked up a knock at the end of his shift.
Cam Redpath
A lot of the focus pre-game was on Bath’s other Scot, but Redpath stole the show for his side. The centre always seemed to be around the action, be it with some back-rower-esque turnovers, decent carries or just linking Bath’s attack together well, and he managed to leave his mark on proceedings as a result.
Alfie Barbeary
Has been in great form of late, and he carried that on today with a great display off the bench. His power helped Bath turn the tide of the battle up front, and his desire to carry gave them a consistent battering ram to boot. Something that was nice to see was his ball-playing skills too, as he found himself involved in virtually all of Bath’s tries upon his arrival, not to mention his own.
Challenge Cup
While the focus is on its bigger brother, the Challenge Cup continues to deliver under the radar, and this was yet another fine match in the competition. It had drama, intensity, action, dazzling moments of class and, crucially, it was on a knife’s edge throughout. This is what European competitions should be about, both teams gunning for glory in a fire and brimstone affair. The atmosphere was also electric. A great spectacle all told.
Losers
Harry Paterson
Unfortunately came off after just four minutes with a head knock and didn’t return to the pitch.
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Sam Skinner
Copped a yellow card in the second-half after numerous team warnings, which Bath took full advantage of with two tries. These two tries ultimately sealed the win for Bath as well, which will hurt even more.
Francois van Wyk
The South African prop was set to feature in Bath’s 23 this weekend, but illness ruled him out at the 11th hour. Given the depth available in the Bath front-row too, missing out on game time will be a gutting blow for the prop.
Carded Bath duo
Will Muir and Tom de Glanville both copped incredibly cheap yellow cards today, which resulted in Bath conceding 14 points. Luckily, it didn’t come back to haunt them, but nonetheless they gifted Edinburgh a lifeline in the contest.
Will Butt
Couldn’t quite replicate the work of the other centres on the pitch, which is a shame considering he is a serious talent. He was well-managed by the Edinburgh defence, in fairness, and showed glimpses of what he can do when given clean ball, but on the whole wasn’t his best outing.
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