Imagine witnessing a rugby clash where heart-pounding action flips fortunes like a coin, only to leave you questioning the stars' performances and the game's unpredictable twists—welcome to Bath's dramatic 45-34 loss to RC Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup second round on Sunday evening. But here's where it gets controversial: Did some Bath players truly shine, or were hidden flaws exposed that could spark endless debates among fans? Let's dive into the player ratings, breaking down each contribution with a bit more context for newcomers to rugby, and see if we can uncover what really made the difference.
First, a quick primer for beginners: In rugby, player ratings often highlight key stats like tackles, tackles missed, metres gained, breaks, and turnovers. A missed tackle can mean a try conceded, while metres gained show how effectively a player pushes forward. Turnovers are when you lose possession, which is costly in high-stakes matches like this.
Starting with the backs, who handle the attacking flair and defensive lines:
15 Santiago Carreras: The Argentinian fullback had plenty of room to operate with the ball, racking up a match-high 81 metres and dodging three defenders in the process. But defensively, it was a different story—he only managed one tackle and notably failed to bring down Gael Drean for Toulon's critical try late in the second half. Toss in a few turnovers, and despite his world-class pedigree, this felt like an off-day for the number 15. Rating: 6
14 Joe Cokanasiga: The towering winger excelled in the high ball contests, snatching the first three aerial catches and giving Bath a strong platform to build attacks. Much of his energy went into battling for space, leveraging his size at rucks or shutting down Toulon's wide plays. Like his fellow winger, he didn't get many offensive chances but handled the defensive basics effectively. Rating: 7
13 Max Ojomoh: It's astonishing how this gem of talent flew under the radar for international selections for so long. He was Bath's chief architect in tearing open Toulon's defense on Sunday, causing headaches every time he carried the ball. His standout play was that clever no-look pass that paved the way for Louie Hennessey's try—pure magic that showcased his vision. Rating: 7
12 Cameron Redpath: While Ojomoh danced offensively alongside Finn Russell, Redpath was his steady defensive partner, preventing Toulon from using their footwork freely. He didn't showcase his own elusive steps, but his nine tackles (second only to Russell and Ted Hill) were a wall against the French onslaught. Rating: 7
11 Henry Arundell: In the first half, he pulled off a jaw-dropping break with slick footwork that left Toulon's defense scrambling—reminding us why he's touted as one of Europe's most lethal wingers, even in tiny openings. He later delivered a heroic tackle to deny Toulon a lead-extending try. Though opportunities were scarce, he seized every moment. Rating: 6
10 Finn Russell: The Scottish fly-half deviated from his usual dazzling self, focusing heavily on defensive duties to repel Toulon's waves of attacks. When offense called, his brilliance resurfaced, like in the moment he delayed the pass perfectly for Carreras' try. Yet, he seemed weighed down by extra burdens without Ben Spencer—Admittedly, he looked burdened at times. And this is the part most people miss: Was it the absence of Spencer, or something more, that dulled his sparkle? Rating: 7
9 Tom Carr-Smith: Filling in for the elite Ben Spencer was no easy feat, and Carr-Smith brought pace and invention to the chaos, though control sometimes eluded him. He was instrumental in Bath's third try, using his attacking smarts to craft an open-field score. Supporters might debate if he commanded the game as Spencer would have. Rating: 6
For context, fly-halves like Russell and backs like Carreras often dictate tempo, and stand-ins can struggle without that chemistry—think of it like a band missing its lead guitarist, where improvisation fills the gaps but not always perfectly.
Now, onto the forwards, the engine room that drives scrums, lineouts, and tackles:
8 Alfie Barbeary: Typically a bench impact player, he showed from kickoff that he could shape the game right away. Easily Bath's standout, his powerful runs bulldozed through Toulon's lines, and his all-around presence was everywhere. Rating: 8
7 Sam Underhill: The England star, famed for his tackling prowess, shockingly missed three tackles—a rarity for one of the sport's top defenders, which could fuel hot takes on whether fatigue or Toulon's speed caught him off guard. He troubled opponents with ball in hand, but his usual defensive iron curtain had holes. Rating: 5
6 Ted Hill: He scored his try impressively and was central to Bath's positives, including a massive hit that forced a Toulon winger out of play right after a scrum. With the ball, his speed netted 42 metres and dominated lineouts. However, three turnovers to Toulon were costly errors that highlight how one slip can swing momentum at this elite level. Rating: 7
5 Ross Molony: The ex-Leinster lock brought little of his Champions Cup pedigree, managing just a few lineouts, tackles, and carries without real impact. Rating: 5
4 Quinn Roux: Similar to his lock partner, he offered little effect, and when he did, it backfired with a penalty and missed tackles at key junctures. Rating: 4
3 Billy Sela: He conceded an early scrum free kick but steadied himself, performing his duties well despite his rookie status against a tough task. Rating: 6
2 Tom Dunn: The Bath veteran sacrificed his body with strong low tackles. The lineout issues stemmed more from Toulon's tactics than his skills. Rating: 6
1 Beno Obano: Facing old England teammate Kyle Sinckler made for an intriguing battle. He was penalized early but flawless thereafter. Rating: 6
And this is where controversy brews: Were the forwards' early errors a symptom of nerves against Toulon's star power, or a deeper issue in Bath's preparation? Lineouts, for instance, are crucial possession battles—imagine losing them repeatedly like handing over game control.
Replacements: Bath's young bench wasn't intimidated, with Ewan Richards breaking through for Arthur Green's try and Louie Hennessey claiming his after Ojomoh's clever pass. Yet, Toulon's veteran edge ultimately prevailed, steering the match to their advantage. Rating: 7
But here's where it gets controversial: Bath's inexperience on the bench versus Toulon's wisdom—does youth always lose out, or could a bold strategy flip that narrative? What do you think: Were these ratings fair, or did they overlook hidden heroes? Did Underhill's misses signal a dip in form, or just a bad day? Share your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, let's debate! For more insights, check out the Harlequins player ratings from their win over Bayonne, where England stars shone, and the five takeaways from Marcus Smith's masterclass.
