Bath delivered a devastating statement of intent on Friday night, dismantling Edinburgh 63 – 10 in a ruthless Champions Cup performance at the Rec. From the opening phases to the final whistle, the English side showcased clinical finishing, dominant forward play, and a level of physicality Edinburgh simply could not match.
Bath Set the Tone Early
The match burst into life immediately, with Bath scoring inside the opening five minutes through a well-constructed maul that rolled Edinburgh backwards at alarming speed. Their early dominance at the set-piece proved a recurring theme, providing a platform that Edinburgh never found an answer to.
Two more tries followed before the 20-minute mark, both created through sharp handling and hard running in midfield. Bath’s back row punched holes through Edinburgh’s defensive line with ease, and the speed of the ball allowed the home side to dictate tempo completely. At 21-0 down, Edinburgh were already on the ropes.
Edinburgh Struggle to Gain a Foothold
Edinburgh’s attempts to rebuild possession were repeatedly halted by turnovers and strong Bath line speed. When the visitors did manage field position, Bath’s defence held firm, absorbing pressure before countering with ruthless accuracy.
Edinburgh’s only bright moment of the first half came from a well-timed break by Blair Kinghorn’s successor at full-back, leading to a short spell in the Bath 22. But a handling error ended the attack, and Bath immediately punished them, scoring their fourth try moments later. By halftime, Bath held a commanding 35-3 lead, with Edinburgh reduced to a lone penalty.
Second Half Onslaught
Any hopes of an Edinburgh revival were extinguished within minutes of the restart. Bath struck twice in quick succession – including a length-of-the-field try sparked by an intercepted pass – to push the score past 50 with more than 20 minutes remaining.
Edinburgh looked visibly shaken as Bath’s physicality continued to dominate collisions. Missed tackles, disrupted lineouts, and repeated breakdown penalties left the visitors chasing shadows. Their sole try came from a rare moment of continuity on the edge of the Bath 22, finished by Darcy Graham after quick hands created space out wide. It was little more than consolation.
Bath, however, were relentless. Two further tries in the final quarter sealed a nine-try demolition, earning the loud approval of the home supporters who sensed their side had delivered one of their most complete European performances in recent seasons.
A Night to Forget for Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, the scoreline tells a harsh but accurate story. Their set-piece faltered, their defence cracked under pressure, and their discipline evaporated as the match wore on. While the effort never dropped, the gulf in execution and physical dominance was stark.
Bath, on the other hand, were outstanding across the park – powerful up front, sharp in the backs, and utterly ruthless in converting chances. This was a performance that sends a clear message to the rest of the competition: they are contenders.
Final Score: Bath 63 – 10 Edinburgh
A bruising evening for the Scottish side, and a near-perfect display from Bath on a chilly Friday night at the Rec.
