Castres vs Bath Prediction: Bath to pull clear at the top

Pool 2 table-toppers Bath will be looking to extend their lead in their European Rugby Champions Cup group on Friday night (20:00, Premier Sports 2) when they take on Castres at the Stade Pierre Fabre.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Castres vs Bath prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash across the Channel.

Team news

Starting with Castres, the hosts have Quentin Walcker, Teddy Durand‑Pradère and Will Collier in the front row, with Guillaume Ducat Florent Vanverberghe in the second row.

Skipper Baptiste Delaporte, Baptiste Cope and Tyler Ardron form the back row, with Jeremy Fernandez and Pierre Popelin in the half-backs.

Jack Goodhue and Vuate Karawalevu start for the Top 14 outfit in the centres, while Nathanael Hulleu, Christian Ambadiang and Theo Chabouni make up the back three.

As for the visitors, Bath have a front row of Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Vilikesa Sela, with locks Quinn Roux and Ross Molony in the engine room.

Ted Hill, Miles Reid and Alfie Barbeary complete the pack, while skipper Ben Spencer and Finn Russell go again in a familiar half-back partnership.

Cameron Redpath and Max Ojomoh start in the centres, with Bath going for a back three of Will Muir, Henry Arundell and Santi Carreras.

Castres vs Bath Odds

Bath are the 1/3 favourites to get the job done across the Channel and claim the win on Friday night, while Castres are the 12/5 underdogs to come out on top on home soil.

A draw at the Stade Pierre Fabre is currently 22/1, while Bath to be leading at both the half-time and full-time whistle are available at 4/5.

Bath -10 handicap @ 13/10

Sitting top of Pool 2 by a single point, Bath look to be in good shape the extend their slender lead at the top of the standings.

Castres can’t match the quality of personnel that the reigning Gallagher Prem champions can and Bath look to be good value to overcome the -10 handicap on offer here.

Expect Spencer and Russell to dictate the pace of the game and where the visitors will look to attack from.

Keep an eye out for England star Henry Arundell, as the winger has been terrorising defences this season.

Scoring eight tries for both club and country this season, the 23-year-old is sure to be a threat out in the wide channels.

Josh Bayliss and Joe Cokanasiga have had to settle for a place on the bench, but both of these Test quality players can make an impact in the latter stages of this contest.

Bath will fancy their chances of landing their second win in the Champions Cup this week and Castres might well have a tough time stopping the Blues, Black and Whites.

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