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Brilliant Bath crowned Challenge Cup champions

Two down, one to go…

Brilliant Bath crowned Challenge Cup champions
23/05/2025 19:00
Principality Stadium
Ref: Hollie Davidson

Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby
European Rugby Challenge Cup
37
12
final
Lyon

Lyon

Dunn (19'), Ojomoh (24'), Obano (50'), Spencer (62')

Tries

Dumortier (2'), Botha (43')

Russell (20', 24', 51', 63')

Conversions

Berdeu (44')

Russell (8', 42', 71')

Penalties

Two down, one to go…

Bath's pursuit of an unprecedented treble rolled on at the Principality as the Blue, Black and Whites powered their way past a helpless Lyon.

The good times keep on rolling for Johann van Graan's team as the Premiership Cup winners added another trophy to their collection with a first 'major' triumph since hoisting the then Heineken Cup back in 1998 after beating Brive.

Bath's halfbacks dovetailed brilliantly as Finn Russell shook off his goal-kicking woes to land 17 points in a mercurial display, while Ben Spencer was head and shoulders above the rest, capping a fine performance with a second half try. It's hard to argue what more Spencer could be doing in a Bath shirt to justify an England recall, but we'll save that conversation for another day.

The Premiership leaders were backed by a partisan travelling contingent who visited Cardiff for the second time in as many weeks after their 'Big Day Out' domestic meeting with Bristol Bears.

Lyon, languishing down in 11th in the Top 14, took a surprise lead when Ethan Dumortier profited from quick hands to the outside after an imposing driving maul.

Russell knocked over Bath's first points before the Blue, Black and Whites crossed for their first try through the competition's top scorer, Tom Dunn.

Moments later, Bath continued to turn the screw as a ferocious carry from Sam Underhill laid the platform for Max Ojomoh to pirouette his way over the line.

Foolish Underhill lucky to only see yellow

Davit Niniashvili made a surging break down the flank only to be met by the wrath of Underhill's power as the England flanker, while upright, collided head on head with the Georgian international. Underhill only saw yellow and was a lucky boy not to be sent for an early bath (pun intended).

We'll never know how the final would have played out with Lyon having a numerical advantage for the best part of an hour but based on what unfolded next, it's hard to argue that Bath would end up on the losing side.

Nevertheless, discipline will be a concern for van Graan and his coaching team as six minutes after Underhill's sin-binning, Will Muir joined him on the naughty step for a tackle in the air.

Russell knocked over another three points after the interval, but Lyon did utilise their extra man when Arno Botha burrowed his way over.

Captain fantastic Spencer seals the win after Obano’s retribution

From five metres out, Spencer cleverly dummied a pass and instead fed Beno Obano, who was on hand to exorcise the demons of last season's Premiership final when he was sent off in the first half for a high tackle, as the tighthead prop powered his way over the line. Cue the cries of 'Ooooh Beno Obano' from the terraces.

Tom de Glanville then broke through the Lyon defence with a mazy run, and guess who was on his shoulder to race away and pick up the try, super Spencer.

Bath had the result already in the bag, but Russell scored another penalty to wrap up a statement victory as the West Countrymen's attention returns to their Premiership title pursuit, which would round off a fine hat-trick of titles at the end of a groundbreaking campaign.

Bath Rugby Starting XV (1-15) Beno Obano, Tom Dunn, Will Stuart, Quinn Roux, Charlie Ewels, Ted Hill, Sam Underhill, Miles Reid, Ben Spencer, Finn Russell, Will Muir, Will Butt, Max Ojomoh, Joe Cokanasiga, Tom de Glanville

Replacements (16-23) Niall Annett, Francois van Wyk, Thomas du Toit, Ross Molony, Guy Pepper, Tom Carr-Smith, Ciaran Donoghue, Alfie Barbeary

Lyon Starting XV (1-15) Jérôme Rey, Camille Chat, Jermaine Ainsley, Theo William, Mickael Guillard, Dylan Cretin, Beka Saginadze, Arno Botha, Baptiste Couilloud, Léo Berdeu, Ethan Dumortier, Theo Millet, Josiah Maraku, Vincent Rattez, Davit Niniashvili

Replacements (16-23) Guillaume Marchand, Hamza Kaabeche, Irakli Aptsiauri, Félix Lambey, Liam Allen, Maxime Gouzou, Martin Page-Relo, Martin Meliande

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Ben Jaycock

Ben Jaycock

@ben_jaycock

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