Gloucester beaten by Top 14 newcomers Vannes in France

Gloucester’s hopes of a second successive EPCR Challenge Cup win disappeared without trace as they lost 43-19 to French club Vannes.

After beating Edinburgh in their tournament opener, the west country club conceded three early tries against the Top 14 newcomers at Stade de la Rabine.

It was 14-0 inside three minutes as Enzo Benmegal and Michael Ruru crossed, before Ruru claimed a quickfire second after centre Chris Harris opened Gloucester’s account through a try that George Barton converted.

Benmegal’s second try appeared to take Vannes out of reach, yet Gloucester narrowed the gap to just seven points after touchdowns from Gareth Blackmore and Jacob Morris, with Rory Taylor kicking one conversion.

But Vannes were in no mood to let things slip, and further tries by Karl Chateau and Cyril Blanchard underpinned an emphatic success.

The Ospreys, meanwhile, suffered their record European defeat as they were crushed 59-15 by French hosts Montpellier.

The Welsh region conceded nine tries, and could only manage touchdowns from Evardi Boshoff and Keelan Giles, with fly-half Dan Edwards adding a drop-goal and conversion.