Bath's comeback falls short to lose soaking Champions Cup opener to La Rochelle

Bath's attempt to come back from a 15-point deficit to La Rochelle at half time fell just short on Friday night as the home side were beaten 24-20 in their Investec Champions Cup opener.

The Gallagher Premiership leaders launched a powerful second-half fightback, scoring two converted tries, but La Rochelle had just enough in the tank for a priceless away win as Bath let key opportunities to get back in the contest slip through their grips. The French side roared clear through tries from flanker Oscar Jegou, prop Reda Wardi and scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow, while fly-half Ihaia West kicked three conversions and a later penalty. Bath were in deep trouble at half-time, managing only two Finn Russell penalties as they played a conservative brand of rugby in the swirling rain, yet they stirred after the break as hooker Tom Dunn and lock Quinn Roux claimed touchdowns, with Russell adding the extras.

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Despite the first blasts of Storm Darragh hitting the Rec, a compelling contest unfolded, although it ramps up pressure on Bath, despite a losing bonus-point, to potentially win at least two of their last three pool games as they chase a last-16 place. They tackle Benetton in Italy next, with Clermont Auvergne and Leinster looming as testing opponents in January.

Bath were hit with a significant setback before kick-off with club captain Ben Spencer pulled form the starting line-up after suffering a hamstring strain. That promoted one-time Springbok Louis Schreuder into the starting line-up for the biggest game of his Bath career. But Spencer’s absence, combined with Ollie Lawrence being rested, and injuries to Sam Underhill, Beno Obano and Alfie Barbeary meant the hosts came into the tie underpowered to face on of the biggest, most dominant packs in European club rugby and it showed in the first half.

Russell kicked Bath into a fifth-minute lead, but conditions – albeit at the very early stages of Storm Darragh – played their part as both sides found it tough going at times under the high ball.

La Rochelle’s heavyweight pack soon warmed to the task, and relentless pressure close to Bath’s line resulted in an 18th-minute try for Jegou that West converted. The visitors had a collective power up-front, and they showcased it in all its glory through a long-range lineout drive that Bath could not stop. Wardi claimed the touchdown, with West adding the extras, and although Russell kicked a second penalty, La Rochelle were immediately back on the attack.

Another lineout gave them a strong foundation five metres out, but this time they did not have to keep it tight as Kerr-Barlow darted through a huge gap for try number three after picking the ball off his shoelaces, with West’s conversion making it 21-6.

Bath could not make inroads before the break, and they had a second-half mountain to climb against a team with a proven pedigree in the competition. But the response was impressive, and Bath reduced their deficit midway through the third quarter as Dunn touched down following a driven lineout, before Russell judged his touchline conversion brilliantly to leave his team eight points adrift.

La Rochelle were rattled, and Bath struck again five minutes later after Kerr-Barlow failed to ground a kick behind his own line from Guy Pepper, with a charging Roux capitalising and Russell converting. West eased La Rochelle nerves through a penalty on the hour-mark, yet a gripping final quarter was in store after Bath had clawed their way back to 24-20 behind.

La Rochelle called on significant international experience to close out the contest, thwarting Bath’s best efforts and give themselves a flying start in their bid for a third Champions Cup crown that would put them level with Saracens and Toulon in terms of tournament victories.

Bath Rugby: 15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 13. Cameron Redpath, 12. Will Butt, 11. Will Muir, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben Spencer (c), 1. Thomas du Toit, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Quinn Roux, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Ted Hill, 7. Guy Pepper, 8. Miles Reid

Replacements : 16. Niall Annett, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Archie Griffin, 19. Ross Molony, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Max Ojomoh, 23. Jaco Coetzee

La Rochelle : 15. Brice Dulin, 14. Jack Nowell, 13. UJ Seuteni, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Ihaia West, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 1. Reda Wardi, 2. Tolu Latu, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Thomas Lavault, 5. Will Skelton, 6. Oscar Jegou, 7. Matthias Haddad, 8. Grégory Alldritt (c)

Replacements: 16. Quentin Lespiaucq, 17. Louis Penverne, 18. Georges-Henri Colombe, 19. Kane Douglas, 20. Levani Botia, 21. Thomas Berjon, 22. Hugo Reus, 23. Teddy Thomas

Referee : Andrew Brace (Ire)

Assistant Referees : Robbie Jenkinson (Ire) and Paul Haycock (Ire)

TMO: Olly Hodges (Ire)

Citing Commissioner: Beth Dickens (Sco)

Attendance: 14,037