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Max Ojomoh picks perfect time to strut his stuff ahead of England squad announcement

kieran crichard
·28-min read
Max Ojomoh charges past Irae Simone of Clermont Auvergne during Bath's victory at the Recreation Ground, on January 12, 2025 in Bath, England.
Bath’s Max Ojomoh (right) was involved in almost every major incident in the first half - Getty Images/Dan Mullan

Bath 40 Clermont 21

It took runaway Premiership leaders Bath, with Max Ojomoh sending a powerful message to England coach Steve Borthwick, to show the rest of the country how it is done in Europe.

On four occasions this weekend in the Investec Champions Cup, Premiership took on French foes and all but Bath found themselves vanquished. However, Johann van Graan’s side dispatched Clermont Auvergne at the Rec in bonus-point style and put themselves right in the frame for a last-16 spot.

Admittedly, Bath must travel to Leinster next Saturday in Pool Two, one of the competition’s tightest, but if other results go their way – Bristol travel to Clermont and Benetton host La Rochelle – then they might only need a point in Dublin. It will all come down to the final round.

Bath’s task was made easier by a first-half red card to Clermont prop Giorgi Akhaladze for a shoulder to the head of Ojomoh – no mitigation, a high degree of danger, and the end of the game as a proper contest. Ojomoh, as yet uncapped and sure to be on the radar of the watching Borthwick ahead of Tuesday’s England squad announcement, shrugged off the early blow to play centre stage in Bath’s victory.

‘It’s the toughest month I’ve had as a head coach’

Even from the start, where Bath’s tempo was blistering, the game quickly descended into the Ojomoh Show. The 24-year-old was involved in almost every major incident in the first half: the red card, two Bath tries, and even one for Clermont. The centre broke through a pathetic Anthony Belleau tackle early on and when Bath recycled the ball, Tom de Glanville had the pace to finish out wide.

“Max has been good the past few weekends,” said Van Graan. “He had a good pre-season but got a nasty foot injury against Munster. He was out for a long time but sometimes you just need a run of games.

“It was unfortunate that Cam [Redpath] did his hamstring but that gives Max a run now. It takes some time to get into your flow but he was good tonight.

“And next week, we have given ourselves a chance, and if we are good enough, then we are good enough. It is some task to go and beat Leinster in the Aviva, but then you have got to ask yourself, why not?

“But it’s arguably the toughest month I’ve had as a head coach: Northampton, Premiership champions away; Clermont at home; Leinster away and then Sale away. But that’s why you have to love it.”

Jauneau scores one of tournament’s most bizarre tries

First-half scores from De Glanville, Finn Russell and Joe Cokanasiga – the former created by Ojomoh’s power and the latter by his poise – laid Bath’s platform before Thomas du Toit chucked more logs on the fire.

Clermont, fourth in the Top 14, to their credit, did not fold, with Folau Fainga’a and Peceli Yato crossing and Belleau reducing the deficit to seven just before half-time, collecting a Baptiste Jauneau pass that had ricocheted off Ojomoh’s head. The fly-half scurried over for one of tournament’s most bizarre scores – up there with Damian Penaud for Bordeaux-Bègles at Sandy Park – and although no fault can be laid at Ojomoh’s door, he once again played a leading role.

Ojomoh was the star but the centre was ably supported by Du Toit, the fearsome South African prop. Du Toit scored two tries in the second half – both, naturally, from close range – to take his season tally to seven for club and country.

It was Du Toit’s second, and Bath’s fifth, which took the game away from a valiant 14-man Clermont effort and Ollie Lawrence’s late try put the icing on the cake. For Bath, eyes turn to Leinster next Saturday; for Ojomoh, Tuesday might be busy, too.

07:43 PM GMT

State of pool two ahead of final round of group stages

  1. Leinster- 13 points

  2. La Rochelle- 10 points

  3. Bath- 7 points

  4. Benetton- 7 points

  5. Clermont- 5 points

  6. Bristol- 5 points

Very close and all to play going into the final weekend of the groups next weekend.

07:41 PM GMT

Johann van Graan speaking to Premier Sports

“They [Clermont] are a tricky side and when they get into your 22 they are difficult to handle. It was important we kept them out at the end and we got the five points and no injuries. We started well and spoke about our start. What pleased me is our quality of hitting as they are a powerful side. Clermont were clever in the way they narrowed their game. Our set-piece got on top. All in all I am pretty pleased.

“The pack is one of the building blocks I have been working on for the last few years. Our lineout execution needs a bit of work but our scrum was good. You need your forwards first and then get it into the hands of the backs. Thomas [du Toit] is one of the better signings we have made in years. We have worked a lot on his carrying. He can play both sides of the scrums and is a starting Springbok.

“Going to Leinster is a daunting prospect but you have to look forward to it. You respect them as they are a class side.”

07:35 PM GMT

Next weekend’s fixtures

Friday 17th January:

Ulster vs Exeter 8pm (Pool 1)

Saturday 18th January:

Bulls vs Stade Francais 1pm (Pool 3)

Clermont Auvergne vs Bristol 3.15pm (Pool 2)

Northampton vs Munster 3.15pm (Pool 3)

Benetton vs La Rochelle 5.30pm (Pool 2)

Leinster vs Bath 5.30pm (Pool 2)

Harlequins vs Glasgow 8pm (Pool 4)

Racing 92 vs Stormers 8pm (Pool 4)

Sunday 19th January:

Bordeaux vs Sharks 1pm (Pool 1)

Toulouse vs Leicester 3.15pm (Pool 1)

Saracens vs Castres 3.15pm (Pool 3)

Sale vs Toulon 5.30pm (Pool 4)

07:34 PM GMT

The thoughts of Ollie Lawrence and Alfie Barbeary

07:31 PM GMT

Man of the match Thomas du Toit

07:27 PM GMT

Champions Cup fixtures and results this weekend

Friday:

Glasgow 29-19 Racing (Pool 4)

Saturday:

Stormers 40-0 Sale (Pool 4)

Exeter 17-69 Bordeaux (Pool 1)

Sharks 8-20 Toulouse (Pool 1)

Munster 17-12 Saracens (Pool 3)

Stade Francais 45-35 Northampton (Pool 3)

Leicester 38-10 Ulster (Pool 1)

Castres 49-10 Bulls (Pool 3)

Today:

Toulon 33-21 Harlequins (Pool 4)

Bristol 35-29 Benetton (Pool 2)

La Rochelle 14-16 Leinster (Pool 2)

Bath vs Clermont 40-21 (Pool 2)

07:26 PM GMT

Full-time

Bath are very lucky that time is called when it looked like Clermont could have won a penalty just five metres out from the Bath line with Annett seemingly holding onto the ball. The visitors are not happy but the final whistle has gone. Bath win 40-21 and claim their first win of their European campaign. Clermont go away with nothing.

07:23 PM GMT

79 mins: Bath 40 Clermont 21

They take the penalty quickly and then knock on. How frustrating for the visitors. Why did they rush it? Into the final minute we go.

07:23 PM GMT

78 mins: Bath 40 Clermont 21

They win the lineout and set the maul before Tauzin breaks out. They have it five metres out and Clermont have a penalty advantage for a Bath offside. They drop it so we go back for the penalty.

07:22 PM GMT

77 mins: Bath 40 Clermont 21

Clermont win the scrum penalty just inside their own half and boot it to within five metres of the Bath line. What a kick! They need one try for a bonus point.

07:21 PM GMT

76 mins: Bath 40 Clermont 21

I am not really sure how to explain that messy few seconds. The lineout throw from Fourcade is dropped but then Molony drops a simple catch. Sloppy rugby!

07:19 PM GMT

75 mins: Bath 40 Clermont 21

Bath are making a double change as Schreuder and Staddon replace Spencer and Russell.

07:16 PM GMT

TRY! Lawrence over in the corner

Bath get closer and closer and finally force their way over through Lawrence, despite the best efforts of a few Clermont defenders. Russell nails a tough conversion and that should seal the victory for Bath.

07:15 PM GMT

70 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 21

After a few resets, Bath win a free-kick and they will take it quickly.

07:11 PM GMT

69 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 21

There is no evidence of Bath dotting it down but they will have a five-metre scrum.

Bath have brought on Bailey for McConnochie.

07:10 PM GMT

68 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 21

Cokanasiga gets into the Clermont 22 down the right-hand touchline and just about stays in play. Bath then switch it to the other side where Hill bumps off a defender but Yato makes a great steal. We now have a TMO review as the ball crossed the try line and Bath are claiming they dotted it down...

07:07 PM GMT

67 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 21

What a steal! Simmons acrobatically takes a one-handed catch to steal the lineout and Clermont can clear. That was tremendous from the Australian international.

07:07 PM GMT

66 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 21

Bath have a penalty advantage for an illegal sack of a maul and, despite Russell wanting another penalty for a block as he kicked forward, we go back to the initial penalty. Back to the corner they go.

07:05 PM GMT

65 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 21

Cokanasiga received some treatment on his knee earlier and is still limping around but will continue going for now. Bath win a penalty inside the Clermont 22 and that sparks some handbags. Who does not like seeing that? Bath kick to the corner.

07:03 PM GMT

63 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 21

Clermont are interestingly changing both half-backs as Bezy and Giral replace Jauneau and Belleau.

07:02 PM GMT

TRY! Yato powers over

Clermont have their third try. The Bath defence cannot stop the powerful Yato from close range. Belleau gets the conversion and, despite being a man down, Clermont are not out of this yet and they will also be mindful of bonus points which could be crucial.

07:01 PM GMT

62 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 14

Clermont are getting closer and closer to the Bath line...

07:00 PM GMT

61 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 14

Clermont win a penalty after a late hit on Belleau after kicking the ball high. That gives the visitors a penalty inside the Bath half, which they kick into the Bath 22.

06:58 PM GMT

58 mins: Bath 33 Clermont 14

Bath have made a number of changes in the pack. It is job done for Obano, Dunn, du Toit, Barbeary and Roux as van Wyk, Annett, Stuart, Molony and Bayliss come on.

06:57 PM GMT

TRY! du Toit gets his second

Bath punish Clermont for their mistake at the lineout. du Toit is the man to crash over again despite the best efforts of three Clermont defenders. Huge strength from du Toit. Russell’s conversion hits the post but Bath now lead by 19 points.

06:56 PM GMT

56 mins: Bath 28 Clermont 14

Bath make their way into the Clermont 22 and come down the right-hand touchline but Roux throws the ball into touch rather than finding the hands of Cokanasiga, who may have been tackled into touch anyway.

Clermont make a mess of their own lineout and are under pressure inside their own 22 with Bath in possession...

06:54 PM GMT

54 mins: Bath 28 Clermont 14

Bath win a scrum penalty against the head.

06:52 PM GMT

53 mins: Bath 28 Clermont 14

Clermont are making a double change as Fouyssac and Lee are replaced by Raka and Ceyte. Raka is such a dangerous man with ball in hand and Bath will be fully aware of his threat.

06:49 PM GMT

TRY! du Toit secures Bath bonus point

Clermont were calling for a double movement from Obano not long before but Bath have the try a few phases later as du Toit crashes over from very short range under the posts. Russell nails the conversion and Bath’s advantage is up to 14 points.

06:47 PM GMT

48 mins: Bath 21 Clermont 14

Bath have the lineout just inside the Clermont 22. Barbeary gets to within five metres and then Bath are awarded a penalty, which they will kick into the corner.

Clermont are making a double change in the front-row as Fourcade and Ala’alatoa come on.

06:45 PM GMT

46 mins: Bath 21 Clermont 14

Bath win a scrum penalty just inside their own half which will give them a chance to kick towards the Clermont 22.

06:40 PM GMT

43 mins: Bath 21 Clermont 14

From the scrum just outside the Clermont 22, Ojomoh makes the break and offloads neatly to Lawrence inside the 22. But the visitors win a penalty at a crucial moment at the breakdown.

06:39 PM GMT

42 mins: Bath 21 Clermont 14

Clermont think they have scored just a few minutes into the second half but the try is disallowed. There was a knock-on in the build-up from a tackle on Russell before the ball was hacked forward, Cokanasiga made a meal of things and Belleau went over in the corner. Big let-off for Bath. What a dream start to the second half that would been for the visitors.

06:36 PM GMT

Second half

We are back under way at The Rec.

06:30 PM GMT

Champions Cup fixtures and results this weekend

Friday:

Glasgow 29-19 Racing (Pool 4)

Saturday:

Stormers 40-0 Sale (Pool 4)

Exeter 17-69 Bordeaux (Pool 1)

Sharks 8-20 Toulouse (Pool 1)

Munster 17-12 Saracens (Pool 3)

Stade Francais 45-35 Northampton (Pool 3)

Leicester 38-10 Ulster (Pool 1)

Castres 49-10 Bulls (Pool 3)

Today:

Toulon 33-21 Harlequins (Pool 4)

Bristol 35-29 Benetton (Pool 2)

La Rochelle 14-16 Leinster (Pool 2)

Bath vs Clermont 21-14 HT (Pool 2)

06:25 PM GMT

HT verdict

Credit to Clermont for not folding here after the red card to Giorgi Akhaladze but that try just before half-time is one of the most bizarre you’ll see. Baptiste Jauneau fired his pass from the base of the ruck into the head of Max Ojomoh - who had an excellent half - with the ball ricocheting into the arms of Anthony Belleau, who thought Christmas had come 11 months early. The fly-half scurried over the line and the half-time gap is just seven points.

06:20 PM GMT

Half-time

Russell attempts a kick in behind and Clermont dot it behind their own line to bring an end to this first half. Bath lead 21-14 at the break, with a man advantage.

06:18 PM GMT

TRY! Belleau in for Clermont’s second

They score this time after a period of pressure inside the Bath 22. It comes slightly fortuitously as it comes off a head into the hands of Belleau, who goes over from close range. Belleau converts his own try and Bath’s lead is down to seven with a minute remaining in the first half.

06:17 PM GMT

37 mins: Bath 21 Clermont 7

Roux thought he was about to steal the lineout but knocks on so Clermont have possession just a few metres out...

06:15 PM GMT

36 mins: Bath 21 Clermont 7

Clermont have a penalty advantage as Bath drove early at the lineout but Clermont cannot take advantage so we go back for the penalty. Back to the corner they go.

06:14 PM GMT

34 mins: Bath 21 Clermont 7

Jauneau makes a great break from halfway, spinning out of a tackle and all the way into the Bath 22. They win a penalty as Barbeary lifted Yato above the horizontal. It is just a penalty but Barbeary can probably count himself lucky it is not more than a penalty and that Yato landed on his back. Clermont go to the corner.

06:07 PM GMT

TRY! Cokanasiga finishes off move after clever Russell kick

Bath have their third try and they have their fly-half to thank. He puts in a delicate chip kick over the top and Ojomoh catches it. He offloads to Cokanasiga to his right and the winger goes in under the posts untouched. Russell makes the easiest of conversions.

06:04 PM GMT

26 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 7

Bath think they are about to score but Lawrence knocks on just shy of the line.

06:03 PM GMT

25 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 7

At full speed it does not look anywhere near as bad as it does when slowed down (which is the case in most situations). Referee Mike Adamson is seeing no mitigation and is going to show Akhaladze a red card. That seems like a strange decision. That did not look like a red card in real time and at full speed. Clermont will probably be annoyed at that decision as there should have been mitigation applied.

Giorgi Akhaladze puts in a high shot on Max Ojomoh
Red card or no red card? - Dan Mullan/Getty Images

06:01 PM GMT

24 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 7

The Bath fans are calling for the TMO to step in for a high challenge from Akhaladze on Ojomoh and they get their wish...

05:56 PM GMT

22 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 7

Yato does brilliantly to get stuck into the Bath maul and disrupts things so much that he wins Clermont the scrum. Great piece of play from Yato.

After a blistering start, where the hosts were cutting through Clermont at will, Bath have lost their way a touch and the game has tightened up. Just seven points in it now, with the hosts’ accuracy letting them down a touch. The visitors were shell-shocked in the early stages, no doubt, but they have rallied impressively.

05:55 PM GMT

20 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 7

Spencer spots a huge gap in behind and box kicks downfield from halfway. The ball looks destined to certainly roll past the try line if not dead but bounces back before the try line, forcing Delguy to collect the ball and take it into touch under pressure with no support. That was lucky for Bath, who now have a five-metre lineout.

05:51 PM GMT

17 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 7

Clermont are attacking inside the Bath half but Simone attempts an audacious offload from the floor and it goes forward. A bold attempt but ultimately it failed. Had it gone to hand properly though Bath would have been in trouble.

05:46 PM GMT

TRY! Clermont on the board

The on-field decision is try and after just one replay we can see the ball on the line so the try is good. It is the Clermont hooker Fainga’a who was the man to power over from short range. Belleau slots the conversion and Bath’s lead is down to seven points.

05:44 PM GMT

13 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 0

Clermont have a penalty advantage but have they scored. We go to the TMO...

05:44 PM GMT

12 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 0

Clermont send it into the hands of the backs but the ball goes to ground and they are attacking from deeper now. Yato makes a great carry to take them within five metres of the line. Now they are just inches away...

05:42 PM GMT

10 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 0

Clermont have possession inside the Bath 22 and now have a penalty advantage. They cannot take advantage so we go back to the penalty. Russell is the guilty man. It would be a fairly easy shot at three but Clermont go to the corner.

05:41 PM GMT

9 mins: Bath 14 Clermont 0

Cokanasiga has been receiving some treatment but is going to continue for now.

05:39 PM GMT

TRY! Russell over from short range

Bath had a penalty advantage but they do not need it. Russell steps back inside when the Clermont defence thought he was going to send it wide and goes over from five metres out. He converts his own try and Bath already lead by 14 not only 10 minutes into the game.

05:37 PM GMT

6 mins: Bath 7 Clermont 0

After a Bath scrum on the right on the Clermont ten-metre line, a superb Russell offload allows Cokanasiga to power into the Clermont 22. They are getting closer and closer to the Clermont line and have a penalty advantage...

05:35 PM GMT

4 mins: Bath 7 Clermont 0

Bath race forward again, this time down the left win through McConnochie, who offloads inside. Bath get all the way to the Clermont 22 but the visitors secure a crucial turnover.

05:34 PM GMT

TRY! De Glanville gives Bath early lead

Not even two minutes in and Bath have their first try. With their first foray into the Clermont half, Ojomoh makes the break from halfway all the way into the 22. Bath then recycle it quickly out to the right wing where De Glanville spots a gap and goes over for the try. Russell lands his conversion and Bath lead 7-0.

05:31 PM GMT

Kick-off

We are under way at The Rec.

Steve Borthwick and Tom Harrison in attendance here at the Rec, as Clermont run out in a very suspect petrol-coloured shirt. All set for a cracker.

05:29 PM GMT

Kick-off fast approaching

Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are moments away from kick-off. Bath know just how crucial this match is, currently sitting bottom of the pool and a trip to Leinster in their final game next weekend.

05:25 PM GMT

The thoughts of Johann van Graan

05:23 PM GMT

Reminder of the teams

Bath Rugby starting XV: 15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Max Ojomoh, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben Spencer (c), 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Thomas du Toit, 4. Quinn Roux, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Ted Hill, 7. Miles Reid, 8. Alfie Barbeary.

Replacements: 16. Niall Annett, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Ross Molony, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Orlando Bailey, 23. Ethan Staddon.

ASM Clermont Auvergne starting XV: 15. Alex Newsome, 14. Bautista Delguy, 13. Pierre Fouyssac, 12. Irae Simone, 11. Lucas Tauzin, 10. Anthony Belleau, 9. Baptiste Jauneau, 1. Giorgi Akhaladze, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Regis Montagne, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. Peceli Yato, 6. Killian Tixeront, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Fritz Lee (c).

Replacements: 16. Etienne Fourcade, 17. Sacha Lotrian, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. Thomas Ceyte, 20. Oskar Rixen, 21. Sebastien Bezy, 22. Theo Giral, 23. Alivereti Raka.

05:20 PM GMT

Home support

05:15 PM GMT

Current state of pool two ahead of Bath vs Clermont

  1. Leinster- 13 points

  2. La Rochelle- 10 points

  3. Benetton- 7 points

  4. Clermont- 5 points

  5. Bristol- 5 points

  6. Bath- 2 points

05:13 PM GMT

Champions Cup fixtures and results this weekend

Friday:

Glasgow 29-19 Racing (Pool 4)

Saturday:

Stormers 40-0 Sale (Pool 4)

Exeter 17-69 Bordeaux (Pool 1)

Sharks 8-20 Toulouse (Pool 1)

Munster 17-12 Saracens (Pool 3)

Stade Francais 45-35 Northampton (Pool 3)

Leicester 38-10 Ulster (Pool 1)

Castres 49-10 Bulls (Pool 3)

Today:

Toulon 33-21 Harlequins (Pool 4)

Bristol 35-29 Benetton (Pool 2)

La Rochelle 14-16 Leinster (Pool 2)

Bath vs Clermont 5.30pm (Pool 2)

Bristol’s home win over Benetton means Bath have dropped to the bottom of pool two ahead of their match tonight against Clermont.

05:05 PM GMT

England to win Tuipulotu tug of war with Wales after eligibility rule changes

England are expected to beat Wales to Kepu Tuipulotu because of a World Rugby eligibility rule amendment that they believe allows them to pick the teenage tyro with immediate effect.

Tuipulotu, an explosive and skilful hooker, was born in Pontypool but has captained England Under-18s and is expected to play a prominent role for England Under-20s during the forthcoming Six Nations.

However, the subject of the 19-year-old’s senior England eligibility has been questioned on the basis that Tuipulotu should only be eligible at senior level for Wales, via birthplace, and Tonga, because of his family heritage.

Charlie Morgan has the full story on the young Bath hooker.

04:58 PM GMT

Lawrence: ‘I don’t think I was cheating’

Ollie Lawrence, the Bath centre, has insisted that he did not dive or cheat to get England colleague Alex Mitchell yellow-carded during his club’s 35-34 loss to Northampton Saints.

Lawrence was at the heart of two flashpoints over the course of an absorbing Premiership encounter, most notably a head-on-head collision with England team-mate Alex Mitchell which led to the Northampton scrum-half being shown a yellow card.

Lawrence stopped running and sank to the floor, drawing attention to the contact and leading to Anthony Woodthorpe sending Mitchell to the sin bin and allowing Finn Russell to put Bath 34-32 ahead with just three minutes remaining.

While Saints would eventually prevail after winning a penalty with 14 men, which was converted by Fin Smith, Lawrence issued an apology on social media to any fans that had taken offence. Speaking on TikTok, the 25-year-old suggested that he had been influenced by the “significance of that moment” and might act differently in future.

Our senior rugby writer Charlie Morgan has all the details.

04:52 PM GMT

Sun setting on Bath

The Rec ahead of Bath's game against Clermont
Matchday three in the Champions Cup comes to a close in the west country - Bob Bradford/Getty Images

04:49 PM GMT

Why Barbeary has yet to fulfil his immense potential

There is a quote from the former England head coach Eddie Jones, at the start of 2022, which remains pertinent when it comes to the obvious ability of Alfie Barbeary.

“If you’re a talented player like Alfie is, that talent doesn’t make you a great Test player but it at least gives you the opportunity,” said Jones, before adding: “He’s got an extraordinary ability to break tackles and carry the ball forward in close contact.”

During the autumn it felt as though that explosiveness with ball in hand was something England lacked. Hence why Tom Willis is being talked up for an England recall ahead of the Six Nations after some impressive performances for Saracens.

To read more from Ben Coles, click here.

04:43 PM GMT

Hosts arriving

Bath players arriving ahead of their home match against Clermont
Bath have lost their opening two Champions Cup matches - Dan Mullan/Getty Images

04:39 PM GMT

Get your fix

04:34 PM GMT

Team news

Bath have made five changes to their side. Thomas du Toit, Charlie Ewels and Ted Hill come into their starting pack whilst Tom de Glanville and Ruaridh McConnochie start in the backs. Will Muir and Sam Underhill are ruled out through injury.

Bath Rugby starting XV: 15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Max Ojomoh, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben Spencer (c), 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Thomas du Toit, 4. Quinn Roux, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Ted Hill, 7. Miles Reid, 8. Alfie Barbeary.

Replacements: 16. Niall Annett, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Ross Molony, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Orlando Bailey, 23. Ethan Staddon.

Clermont make five changes from their win at Vannes in the Top 14 last weekend. Lucas Tauzin, Giorgi Akhaladze, Folau Fainga’a, Rob Simmons and Peceli Yato come into the starting XV.

ASM Clermont Auvergne starting XV: 15. Alex Newsome, 14. Bautista Delguy, 13. Pierre Fouyssac, 12. Irae Simone, 11. Lucas Tauzin, 10. Anthony Belleau, 9. Baptiste Jauneau, 1. Giorgi Akhaladze, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Regis Montagne, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. Peceli Yato, 6. Killian Tixeront, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Fritz Lee (c).

Replacements: 16. Etienne Fourcade, 17. Sacha Lotrian, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. Thomas Ceyte, 20. Oskar Rixen, 21. Sebastien Bezy, 22. Theo Giral, 23. Alivereti Raka.

04:29 PM GMT

Match preview

Bath welcome Clermont Auvergne to The Rec hoping to kickstart their Champions Cup campaign. Despite sitting top of the Gallagher Premiership by six points, they have lost their opening two matches in Europe at home to La Rochelle and away at Benetton and start the day in fifth in pool two. They were involved in a thrilling Premiership encounter last weekend in a repeat of last season’s Premiership final, falling to a 35-34 defeat away at Northampton. After defeats in their first two matches in this competition, Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan acknowledged the importance of the game.

“We have not spoken about the word knockout really,” said van Graan. “We identified after the Benetton game that this is a must-win game for us in this competition. But it is such a long season that we are consistent in our approach, so we are not going to do anything different this week.

“If we want to progress further in the competition it is a game that we must win preferably by a bonus point while denying them a bonus point, but we are not going to get influenced by that too much.

“When I started watching this competition in the early 2000s, Clermont were one of the teams and I remember with Munster, we went during Covid and just getting to Clermont and getting to that stadium, you can feel rugby history and European history. I have so much respect for them and what they have done.

Bath head coach Johann van Graan looks on
Bath are yet to win in this season’s Champions Cup - Mike Egerton/PA

“If we look at them this season, [they are] a very hardworking side, some very good individuals but one thing about them is the structure. They are quite a structured French side, very good kicking game. Their nine is fantastic. Very good in contact and they have got a fantastic maul. So, yes, that is why you play this competition.

“It is certainly the first time I have been involved at Bath in a game at that stage. A few things we have got to make sure we get right in the week and then enjoy the challenge. It is certainly not a challenge we are afraid of, it is a challenge we are going to embrace.”

Clermont meanwhile, who currently sit fourth in the Top 14, are third in pool two. They beat Benetton 28-0 at home in their opening match of their European campaign before losing 15-7 away at Leinster. Clermont have reached the final of the Champions Cup on three occasions but are still yet to lift the trophy. They come into this evening’s match off the back of a narrow one-point 19-20 victory away at Vannes last Sunday in the Top 14.

Kick-off at The Rec is at 5.30pm.