Bath have lost their opening European Champions Cup game against French side Toulouse in extraordinary circumstances as Freddie Burns butchered a game-winning try which ensured it ended 22-20.
The clash unfolded at the Recreation Ground and was unquestionably one that got away from the home side. Bath led by 10 five minutes before half-time but that lead was cut to five just before the break. In the second half, they would only score one penalty while a Sofiane Guitoune try helped Toulouse take the lead. Burns then missed a kick in front of the posts from 20 metres out.
Despite this, with five minutes remaining, Todd Blackadder's side finally carved an opportunity and a great Burns line saw him bypass a slow defence and stroll underneath the posts. However, pressure from Maxime Médard forced the 28-year-old to drop the ball. The disastrous five minutes were capped off when he was immediately replaced by Tom Homer.
Five minutes to go...
Chance to win the game..."Oh he's dropped it!"
A brutal moment for Bath star Freddie Burns ? pic.twitter.com/K7S578Rdwx
— Watch #ShoulderToShoulder on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 13, 2018
FT: Bath 20-22 Toulouse
This GIF says more than we ever could... pic.twitter.com/ovgfl3gl2Q
— Watch #ShoulderToShoulder on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 13, 2018
FULL TIME
“The body language from the Bath coaches is like they’ve been relegated” - @chjones9
Freddie Burns is in tears.
Bath 20-22 Toulouse
📲 🏉https://t.co/bck3hJSXRh #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/41P96eo7Ic— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) October 13, 2018
Freddie Burns taken straight off by Blackadder.
Big bollocking to follow, I'd have thought.— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) October 13, 2018
