Alfie Barbeary produces a magnificent performance against Montpellier

December 18, 2020
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Ultimate Rugby

Alfie Barbeary's ever-rising stock boomed on Friday evening when Wasps hosted Montpellier at the Ricoh Arena.

Less than a month ago, Barbeary was called into the England wider squad for the final Autumn Nations Cup game against France and although the 20-year-old did not make his test debut he will certainly do so soon - if Friday's performance is anything to go by.

A centre at school, Barbeary moved into the front row as he made his way through the Wasps Academy and was selected for the England u20s. However, he has made his mark in the Wasps senior team in the back row. He made his debut off the bench against Worcester Warriors when rugby resumed last season scoring on his first appearance before grabbing a hattrick in his first start.

With England's forward coach, Matt Proudfoot, in attendance at the Ricoh the youngster starred for Wasps as they went two from two in Europe picking up a second bonus point victory.

Fronting up against an intimidating Montpellier back, Barbeary stole the show and outplayed one of the finest no.8s in recent years in Europe, Louis Picamoles.

The youngster dominated proceedings early on with a few burling carries and he was the man to open the scoring in the 22nd minute as he powered over the line from close range having just been denied by Fulgence Ouedraogo moments earlier rounding off a stellar attack from Wasps.

He stepped up not too long after as he pounced on a loose ball following a knock with Montpellier attacking inside the Wasps' 22. He put in an excellent kick that he will claim was a cross field kick from winger Josh Bassett, who wrapped up the ball and sprinted into the Montpellier 22. Second rower James Gaskell then ran a neat line to make it Wasps 12-0 Montpellier.

WHAT A KICK FROM ALFIE 👟

An excellent try from @WaspsRugby 👏 #WASvMHR #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/gGNHDxi9oD
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) December 18, 2020

Alex Lozowski sped away with the ball to score after a Montpellier error with Benoit Paillauge converting as Montpellier trailled 12-7 with 14 men at the break.

By that stage, Barbeary had made 7 carries for 30 running metres, had scored a try, beaten four defenders and completed six passes.

But the back-rowers work had just begun as he assisted Paolo Odogwu's try with a wonderful offload off the back of an attacking lineout before he scored his second shortly after the hour mark.

Alfie Barbeary with a beaut of an assist 🔥#WASvMHR pic.twitter.com/M4XL7uxWwb
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) December 18, 2020

He would go to the sin bin as he got stuck into a breakdown and prevented a promising Montpellier attacking play into the Wasps' 22 but by then the damage was done as Wasps' led 26-14.

He returned to the pitch to make a few telling tackles and massive ball carriers before Charlie Atkinson put the finishing touches on the result for the home side as he dotted down in the 79th minute and added the extras as Wasps sealed a second bonus-point victory, full-time Wasps 33-14.

Barbeary finished the game with 4 tackles (Wasps made just 42 all game), 45 running metres, two tries, one try assist, one turnover won, seven passes, two offloads and 12 carries.