Barbeary shows Eddie he’s ready
WASpS and England’s new sensation, Alfie Barbeary, engineered the downfall of mighty Montpellier at the ricoh Arena last night, despite Alex lozowski’s best efforts to wreck his former club’s European ambitions.
The 20-year- old Barbeary scored two of the home side’s tries and helped to make another two, to continue his rapid rise to prominence. The multi-purpose rookie is nominally a hooker, but was operating at no 8 in this Heineken Champions Cup match and last season claimed a hat-trick while playing as a flanker. Eddie Jones recently brought him in for another training stint with England and red rose forwards coach Matt proudfoot was in attendance to watch this latest high-class display.
Wasps secured their second pool One win, after beating the Dragons in newport last weekend. They are now alone as the only unbeaten English club in the continent’s top tournament — well placed to push on and qualify for the knock-out stages.
Soon after kick- off, Montpellier were in trouble. Will porter, Wasps’ rookie scrum-half, who had already made his mark with a searing break, was the victim of a reckless tackle in the seventh minute.
As the 22-year- old claimed a high kick, Henry immelman hit him with a high shot. replays showed clear contact with the head, at least once if not twice, with shoulder and swinging arm. referee Andrew Brace had no choice but to send off immelman.
Barbeary signalled his intent with an eye- catching carry to ignite a Wasps attack. Seconds later, lima Sopoaga’s deft kick just evaded Zach Kibirige who was in pursuit, but the hosts soon had the try they deserved. Blackett’s men surged forward on the left and after Kieran Brookes blasted up to the line, Barbeary darted round the ruck to crash over.
The prodigy soon switched from scorer to creator, in surprising fashion. Montpellier were on the hunt for a try of their own when the ball went loose and Barbeary gathered. He kicked clear left-footed and the ball was seized on the left flank by Josh Bassett who cut inside into space. Wasps kept the ball alive astutely and Tom Cruse’s short pass released James Gaskell for a try converted by Jimmy Gopperth to make it 12-0.
However, the visitors were not beaten. Eight minutes before the break, ex-Wasp lozowski pounced on a fumble by paolo Odogwu and raced from halfway to touch down. Early in the second half, it was the England centre’s pass which allowed Yvan reilhac to touch down. Benoit paillaugue converted both and Montpellier were in front with 14 men.
But back came Wasps and Barbeary was involved again. in the 50th minute, from a lineout on the left, it was his off- load which released Odogwu for a scorching run which carved open the Gallic defence to put Blackett’s side ahead again, with Gopperth adding the extras, as he also did when Barbeary struck again 16 minutes from time, picking up and rolling out of a tackle to score.
Moments later, he was sin-binned for a ruck offence. His departure saw Wasps endure a difficult period as Montpellier strove to launch a late fightback, before the hosts won a scrum penalty to end a prolonged siege. So Barbeary’s lapse ultimately didn’t harm his team — whose victory was capped by Charlie Atkinson’s late try and conversion.