Montpellier leave Bath reeling with 32-14 win at The Rec

Montpellier beat Bath 32-14 at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 17 October to spoil the opening weekend of the Investec Champions Cup.

It was Round One of the 2026/27 season in Europe's top club competition, and the French visitors ran in four tries in a six-try game The Guardian. Bath hosted the tie but had no answer after the break.

The second half told the story. Montpellier scored 22 points without reply after half-time BBC Sport. That is a full try (worth five points) and more in rugby union, and it turned a contest into a clear away win. Bath faded. Montpellier kept coming.

Adam Hastings pulled the strings at fly-half, the playmaker who directs the attack with boot and pass. The former Scotland No 10 kicked two penalties for Montpellier The Guardian. His kicking kept the scoreboard moving while the pack took control up front.

Bath arrived with momentum in attack. Their first three Premiership games of the season had produced 243 points. Montpellier arrived in modest mid-table form in the French league.

What makes this stand out is the recent history between the clubs. Bath won the Challenge Cup final last year as part of a treble, Europe's second-tier trophy alongside domestic honours. Montpellier succeeded them as champions of that Challenge Cup. Montpellier were also beaten finalists in the Top 14, the French league, last season.

Former Harlequins centre Lennox Anyanwu now plays for Montpellier and was part of the travelling squad that quietened the home crowd. For fans new to this rivalry, that is the sub-plot. Two clubs used to lifting cups. Only one looked like winners here.

Bath will need a response on the road. Montpellier have the early lead and the belief.