A tasty Anglo-French contest on a perfect clear winter’s day offered a further reminder that the Six Nations is not the only compelling rugby show in town. At the final whistle there was also pure delight for Bath, now guaranteed to feature in the Champions Cup last 16 and still unbeaten after their third successive victory in pool two.
Racing, in negotiations to sign the erstwhile England captain Owen Farrell from Saracens, had eased into a 22-8 lead with third-quarter tries from their big No 8 Kitione Kamikamica and their exiled English winger Henry Arundell. But in a fluctuating, open game Bath roared back to 22–22 with 17 minutes left with tries from Alfie Barbeary and Joe Cokanasiga before Will Muir’s 72nd‑minute score dramatically tipped the scales in the hosts’ favour.
