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

Investec Champions Cup Pool 2

Castres (17) 20

Tries: Durand, Hulleu Cons: Fernandez 2 Pen: Fernandez 2

Bath (21) 43

Tries: Redpath, Hill, Dunn, Obano, Muir, Carr-Smith Cons: Russell 5 Pen: Russell

Bath closed in on winning Pool 2 and securing a home last-16 game with a convincing away victory at Castres in the Investec Champions Cup.

A bonus-point win over Edinburgh next Friday will secure top spot for Johann van Graan’s side and home advantage until at least the quarter-finals.

Castres, who reached the quarter-finals last season, managed the wet and windy conditions well in the early stages and grabbed the opening score through hooker Teddy Durand.

Centre Cameron Redpath then crossed for Bath before the home side sent Nathanael Hulleu free down the wing to regain their seven-point advantage.

But the English champions, who played half of the first period with 14 players, took control of the game with Ted Hill, Tom Dunn and Beno Obano crossing.

Tries late on in the second half then came from Will Muir and Tom Carr-Smith to cap off an impressive win in France.

One victory for every side in Pool 2 after the opening two rounds left little room for error for the Prem side, who bounced back from their away defeat by Toulon in round two.

Van Graan’s side are tipped to be challengers for this year’s competition and will be firm favourites to win Pool 2 at home.

More to follow.

Castres: Chabouni; Ambadiang, Karawalevu, Goodhue, Hulleu; Popelin, Fernandez; Walcker, Durand-Pradere, Collier, Ducat, Vanverberghe, Delaporte (capt), Cope, Ardron.

Replacements: Zarantonello, Sokobale, Corato, Staniforth, Meka, Doubrere, Herve, Palis.

Sin-bin: Durand (37 mins), Ducat (76 mins)

Bath: Carreras; Arundell, Ojomoh, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (capt); Obano, Dunn, Sela, Roux, Molony, Hill, Reid, Barbeary.

Replacements: Tuipulotu, Van Wyk, Du Toit, Bayliss, Pepper, Carr-Smith, Butt, Cokanasiga.

Sin-bin: Obano (13 min), Muir (23 mins)

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ire)

Assistant referees: Andrew Cole (Ire) and Daniel Carson (Ire)

TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)