It remains uncertain how to interpret the flood of scores seen in English rugby lately. The clever passing, dramatic recoveries and puzzled defenses spark discussion. Does this mark a fresh phase of rapid offensive play that cannot be halted? Or is it unreliable?

Bath have featured prominently in such talks of late, and during this 32-14 setback they faced rugby delivered in classic form, tough and physical.

Montpellier stand as a strong side. They reached the Top 14 final last season, the same year they took over from Bath as Challenge Cup winners, the junior competition to the Champions Cup.

Early rounds of this tournament often lead to bold views on the state of rugby across leading European nations. We will avoid that here, but if English rugby drew quick lessons on the value of its current free-flowing style in the Prem, Montpellier, sitting mid-table in their domestic league, simply shrugged and outplayed one of England top teams in every aspect.

Seeking flair? They showed it in their opening two of four tries, though their surge midway through the second half captured that renowned French style and led not to another score but to the rare sight in English rugby of a penalty goal, Montpellier second of the day.

This was indeed traditional rugby. Adam Hastings kicked one penalty before the interval to keep Montpellier within four points at halftime. That next penalty, near the hour mark, restored their lead by the same margin. They held it thereafter.

Bath attempted plenty of attacking play, yet repeated efforts met the solid resistance of those strong forwards. Bath errors stood out often, punished at the ruck where Alex Becognee and Lyam Akrab proved especially effective, or through loose handling when trying to shift opponents similarly.

The three Prem matches Bath have contested this season have produced 243 points total. Last week in their loss at Northampton there were 18 tries. Here six were scored, hardly a shortage, but the match felt more like a test of strength than a spectacle.

It seems reasonable to observe, without overreaching, that French rugby has shown its strength in recent years. Of the two teams, Bath lineup resembled more closely the one that won the Challenge Cup final last year, part of a treble season, than Montpellier did to their winning side this time. Thus this was far from Montpellier strongest selection.

Other elements emerged beyond the usual cross-channel contest. English players based abroad, though by choice, performed well enough to make Steve Borthwick wish they remained available. Lennox Anyanwu, once of Harlequins, thrived against his two England midfield rivals. His run late in the first half nearly produced a fine try but for a forward pass by Hastings.

His deft touches also featured in the try Montpellier added early in the second period. Once involved, on came Billy Vunipola, underscoring the number of No 8s England has in France. Meanwhile young Arthur Green at the scrum base for Bath showed he could offer Borthwick another choice. His quick pick and dash from a ruck gave Bath the halftime lead and their second, final try.

Bath might have added a third early in the second half when Joe Cokanasiga failed to collect a simple pass for a corner score. It reflected a team known to be stronger than this showing, yet like the unusual domestic rugby they help shape, they appear unsure of their current path.

Even Finn Russell yielded the spotlight to his Scotland deputy. Again, avoid hasty judgments on this composed display by Hastings versus the veteran, though it helps to have such a strong pack ahead, but Scotland will select him confidently given his French base.

Russell endured a mixed game, sharp early then hampered later, notably when his attempted pass was picked off by Donovan Taofifenua for the latter second try, Montpellier third, past the hour and leaving Bath in difficulty.

They realized then, as they had sensed before, that this differed from recent Prem fare. This was solid, physical rugby. It remains effective.