Castres 20-43 Bath as Alfie Barbeary stars and Bath close in on Investec Champions Cup home knockout spot

Bath beat Castres 43-20 in the Investec Champions Cup, with Alfie Barbeary named player of the match; a bonus-point win over Edinburgh next Friday would secure top spot in Pool 2 and a home last-16 game.

Bath won 43-20 away at Castres in the Investec Champions Cup. The result moved them closer to winning Pool 2 and to securing a home last-16 game. The match was played in wet, windy conditions and Castres opened the scoring through hooker Teddy Durand. Alfie Barbeary was named player of the match. Match facts: - Final score: Castres 20, Bath 43. - Bath closed in on winning Pool 2 and a home last-16 game; a bonus-point win over Edinburgh next Friday will secure top spot and home advantage until at least the quarter-finals. - Early wet and windy conditions; Castres opened the scoring through hooker Teddy Durand. - Cameron Redpath scored for Bath and Nathanael Hulleu replied for Castres. - Bath played half of the first period with 14 players, then scored through Ted Hill, Tom Dunn and Beno Obano. - Late second-half tries from Will Muir and Tom Carr-Smith completed the win, and Alfie Barbeary was named player of the match. Summary: Bath's victory strengthens their position to win Pool 2 and secure a home last-16 tie. A bonus-point win over Edinburgh next Friday would confirm top spot and home advantage until at least the quarter-finals.