World Class Joseph driving into England Selection

Toulouse 18 – 35 Bath

Bath’s head coach Mike Ford praised his sides performance after clinching the bonus point win over Toulouse saying “That was special and it was a great result to get five points and stop them getting anything. We were fantastic in the first-half and had Anthony Watson scored then we would have led 29 – 7 with four tries inside half – a – hour.

“You have to give Toulouse credit, they fought their way back, which they were always likely to do here and the game was in the balance for a long while at 25 – 18. But George (Ford) got back to make a try-saving tackle which was really important and helped clear the pressure. 

“Then that last break from was just world – class” added Ford.

Bath got off to a great start with George Ford scoring a penalty in the opening minute of the game. The first try of the match came shortly after Francois Louw's huge long pass set up Matt Banahan for his 14th Champions Cup try.

With Ford adding the extras and leading 10 – 0 it wasn’t too long before Toulouse got a back into the game was a driving maul from a lineout was grounded by Yoann Maestri which was converted by Toby Flood.

However the West Country side sent shockwaves round State Earnest Wallon scoring two tries within four minutes to lead 22 – 7.

The first came from a great interception from Chris Cook, who raced nearly the length of the field and the second came after a fantastic break from Kyle Eastmond who offloaded to Banahan whose quick hands set up Jonathan Joseph score the visitors third try of the game.

They looked as though they got the bonus point after 30 minutes, but Watson was held up by Flood and Vincent Clerc so Bath settled with an another Ford penalty to extend their lead 25 – 7.

The hosts started to maintain a fightback as Yoann Huget scored on the left hand corner from a scrum and Flood added a penalty to reduce the score to just 10 points at the interval.

Half – Time – Toulouse 15 – 25 Bath

The Toulouse comeback was gathering pace with the former England fly half scoring another penalty and they were within a converted try to draw level. Which they almost done if it wasn’t for Ford’s last ditch try saving tackle on Yannick Nyanga.

The rest of the second half was an arm wrestle which the French side were winning until the 70th minute as Josephs world class kick and chase tore through the Toulouse defence to offload to Ross Batty who set up Louw to drive over securing the bonus point.

Ford then added the conversion and then had the last say on 80 minutes scoring a penalty to give Bath a famous win.

Scorecard

1 min – Ford (Pen) – 0 – 3

6 mins – Banahan (Try) – 0 – 8

7 mins – Ford (Con) – 0 – 10

12 mins – Maestri (Try) – 5 – 10

13 mins – Flood (Con) – 7 – 10

23 mins – Cook (Try) – 7 – 15

26 mins – Joseph (Try) – 7 – 20

27 mins – Ford (Con) – 7 – 22

33 mins – Ford (Pen) – 7 – 25

35 mins – Huget (Try) – 12 – 25

39 mins – Flood (Pen) – 15 – 25

HT – Toulouse 15 – 25 Bath

47 mins – Flood (Pen) – 18 – 25

70 mins – Louw (Try) – 18 – 30

72 mins – Ford (Con) – 18 – 32

80+1 mins – Ford (Pen) – 18 – 35

FT – Toulouse 18 – 35 Bath