Bath 63-10 Edinburgh
Two tries for Cokanasiga while front-rowers all score
Scotland’s fly-half Finn Russell had spoken about his desire to claim the pre-Six Nations bragging rights at the expense of several good mates in the Edinburgh squad. There was never the slightest doubt his wish would be granted as Bath eased to a comprehensive nine-try victory that guarantees pool winner status plus a home draw in the last 16 and, potentially, beyond.
On this occasion Russell also had the luxury of an armchair ride behind a Bath pack who took an early grip on the contest and never let go. Even if Edinburgh had turned up in north-east Somerset with their best side, as opposed to resting a few senior men, they would have been hard pressed to put too many dents in the black-shirted tanks and electric sprinters parked up opposite.
There will be sterner tests ahead against stronger opposition but, first and foremost, there was no disputing the unflinching mood of Bath’s tight forwards or their forceful No 8 Alfie Barbeary. All three of the hosts’ starting front row registered tries from a collective range of about four metres and a close-quarters penalty try also summed up their hard-nosed modus operandi in the first half. Those who had paid to watch Russell run through his extensive range of tricks mostly had to wait until the final quarter for Bath to cut loose and allow their quality backs like Max Ojomoh and Henry Arundell to show their class.
