Bath players celebrate their memorable win over Toulouse © Getty Images

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Bath director of rugby Mike Ford heaped praise on his players after an outstanding effort bought a memorable 35-18 victory over Toulouse at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.

Toulouse remain top of the group ahead of their final clash with Montpellier, while Bath host Glasgow at the Rec in the conclusion of an enthralling three-horse race for top spot and automatic quarter-final qualification.

"That was special and it was a great result to get five points and stop them getting anything," Ford said. "We were fantastic in the first half and, had Anthony Watson scored, then we would have led 29-7 with four tries inside half an hour.

"You have to give Toulouse credit, they fought their way back which they were always likely to do here, and the game was in the balance for a long while at 25-18. But George [Ford] got back to make a try-saving tackle which was really important and helped clear the pressure. Then that last break by Jonathan Joseph [to set up Louw's try] was just world class."

Matt Banahan, Chris Cook, Jonathan Joseph all crossed for tries and Ford was delighted with the impact of his bench as Bath drove home their advantage late in the game to secure the vital bonus-point.

The substitutes did really well. We talk all the time about the subs coming on and winning games after the lads have grafted for 50 minutes and set the foundation," added Ford.

"We were really pleased with the scrum and it was really pleasing to finish by winning a scrum penalty. We're in a good place at the moment. We can scrummage, we can drive and we showed again here that we can also play some great rugby."

Toulouse try-scorer Yoann Huget said: "We got two massive scrums at five meters from their lines and we have to take some points from there. But we lost both of them. We tried to not let go but we never scored and Bath kept things tight in the second half with a strong defence.

"It will be complicated against Montpellier. They will try to win their first game for honour bit we were doing really well in the Champions Cup until this game and we are going to play our chances until the end. I think we deserve a quarter-final."