Two down, one to go for Bath. An historic treble inches ever closer.
This European Challenge Cup success followed March’s Premiership Rugby Cup victory.
Now, only the Gallagher Premiership – the holy grail for millionaire club owner Bruce Craig – remains outstanding.
Win that and Bath’s class of 2025 will seal their place in history. Bath are certainly favourites for the league title having already sealed a home semi-final.
Winning three trophies in one season would be beyond Bath’s wildest dreams.
Here, they benefited from the decision making of referee Hollie Davidson to get the better of a resilient French side in Lyon. Davidson became the first woman to officiate a European final.
Bath celebrate lifting the European Rugby Challenge Cup after victory over Lyon in Cardiff
Bath have now won two trophies this season and are on course for an historic treble
But she should have sent Sam Underhill from the field for dangerous tackling in the first half. That she didn’t amounted to a game-defining moment, allowing Bath to end a 17-year wait for a first European trophy.
Davidson lacked control of the game, with Bath captain and player of the match Ben Spencer allowed to benefit to his team’s advantage.
It left Lyon not only beaten, but understandably frustrated.
‘I’m grateful and incredibly happy for all the people of Bath,’ said Bath head of rugby Van Graan, after his team recorded the biggest Challenge Cup final winning margin since 1998.
‘I think Hollie had an excellent game. I’ll stick with what the officials decide. The best is yet to come. I’m ecstatic for all involved.
‘I’ve been coaching for 23 years but what happened was special. This is a champion team now. We’ll try to get better and better. There are more things to conquer.’
Spencer said: ‘We speak a lot about working hard for each other. That’s something we really pride ourselves on – when we go down to 14 men and how hard we want to fight. To not concede in that double yellow card period was outstanding.
‘The togetherness in this group is absolutely unbelievable. Our boys showed a different level of intensity we haven’t seen yet this season.
Captain Ben Spencer was player of the match as Bath claimed European glory on the big stage
Spencer is covered in beer by his team-mates on a night to remember for his team
‘I’m so proud to give the fans what they deserve after so many years of hurt.’
Cardiff’s Westgate Street was lined with Bath fans hours before kick-off, Van Graan’s players choosing to walk to Principality Stadium from their city centre hotel to embrace the electric atmosphere.
After years of misery, Bath’s loyal supporters are now thirsty for success.
They made Cardiff a cauldron and inside the ground, the roof nearly came off as Spencer led his team in a last pre-match lap. Lyon started quickest, however.
Ethan Dumortier opened the scoring after his corner try was approved by TMO Mike Adamson. Finn Russell responded with a penalty. It was a scrappy opening.
Will Butt charged through midfield. He couldn’t find the killer pass, but it also didn’t matter as hooker Tom Dunn soon barged over. Russell converted. Spencer kicked a 50:22. Slowly, Bath were getting on top and Max Ojomoh made it two.
Underhill had been at the centre of Bath’s power game, excelling on the flank. But when he collided head-on-head with Lyon’s wonderful Georgian attacker, Davit Niniashvili, Underhill should have been shown a red card.
There was no mitigation or excuse for him hitting Niniashvili so high.
Spencer and Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan (right) celebrate a big win
Max Ojomoh (right) scored Bath’s second try at Principality Stadium, keeping Lyon at bay
Davidson decided on showing yellow only, arguing there was mitigation as Niniashvili had changed direction.
It was a clear nonsense and yet another reminder that while rugby continues to talk about protecting player welfare, it does not follow that with meaningful on-field action.
Davidson then had to show the same card again, Will Muir joining Underhill in the sin bin for upending Dumortier in the air.
With Bath down to 13, Lyon had to strike. Dumortier was at the heart of everything. He thought he’d made it a brace, but his effort from a long line-out throw was ruled out for blocking.
It was salt in the wound for Lyon that it was a combination of Underhill and Ted Hill which stopped them scoring before the break. Russell kicked a penalty when the action resumed.
But with Muir still in the sin bin, Arno Botha breathed life into Lyon’s comeback. It didn’t last long.
Immediately after Van Graan introduced more power from the bench in the shape of Thomas du Toit, Guy Pepper and Alfie Barbeary, Beno Obano was driven over.
When Spencer followed that with a try of his own after fine work by Tom de Glanville, it ended the game as a contest. Russell’s third penalty only rubber stamped that.
Bath flanker Sam Underhill was fortunate not to be shown a red card for a dangerous tackle
Bath just have too much brute force for most teams and it will be a surprise if they don’t add a domestic crown to their burgeoning trophy cabinet in the weeks to come.
Lyon coach Karim Ghezal said: ‘We didn’t score when they were down to 13.
‘One of their yellow cards was rather dodgy. I will never complain about refereeing.
‘Protection of the players is very important.’
