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Dan Biggar's Toulon struggle against Zebre as Cardiff thrash Brive

By PA
Toulon's Welsh fly-half Dan Biggar (L) walks with RC Toulon's president Bernard Lemaitre prior to the French Top14 rugby union match between RC Toulon and Racing 92, at Mayol stadium in Toulon, southern France, on December 4, 2022. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Cardiff ran in seven tries to thrash Brive on the opening weekend of the European Challenge Cup and end the winless run of Welsh clubs in Europe.

Kristian Dacey helped himself to a brace with Josh Adams, Lloyd Williams, Teddy Williams, Mason Grady and Theo Cabango going over in bitterly cold conditions.

The 41-0 success was the first victory for a Welsh side in a European competition since December 2020, ending a 21-match winless streak.

A late penalty from Duncan Weir gave Glasgow a narrow triumph away to Bath in Pool A.

The Scottish outfit edged out their English rivals by a 22-19 score after tries by Lewis Bean, George Turner and Hugh Jones for the visitors at the Rec.

Wesley White, Fergus Lee-Warner and Matt Gallagher crossed over for Bath to level but Weir sent over his kick with seven minutes left to earn Glasgow a four-point success.

Connacht also claimed bragging rights with a routine 22-8 win over Newcastle.

Both teams rotated their squads and despite a close first half, the Gallagher Premiership club were unable to add to their tally after the interval and returned across the Irish Sea with no points.

Nathan Earle’s try had put Newcastle ahead but scores from Paul Boyne, Adam Byrne and Diarmuid Kilgallen saw Connacht home.

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar kicked a late conversion in Toulon’s 24-21 win at Zebre.

A thrilling battle between the Lions and Dragons in Johannesburg ended in a dramatic 31-31 draw in Pool B.

Jordan Williams, Rhodri Williams, Sam Davies and Jack Dixon grabbed tries for the Welsh region, but Davies missed a late drop goal to ensure the spoils were shared.

Lions also had their chance to take a full quota of points with Jordan Hendrikse sending a last-gasp penalty wide after Edwill van der Merwe’s brace had added to earlier scores by Giovani Lombard and Asenathi Ntlabakanye

In the other Pool B clash, Cheetahs edged out French hosts Pau by a 21-16 score.