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Gloucester beaten by Top 14 newcomers Vannes in France
By PA
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.
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Latest Comments
Put the fear back into the black jersey … by coming fifth? These players are just confirming the suspicion that they think the job’s done just by getting the jersey.
Go to commentsSiya Kolisi is the Bok captain so that’s 4. Hendrichse has had Bok sysrts recently.
Leinster is not Ireland: full team lost to Bulls in 2024 a couple of months before Ireland beat ‘most experienced Springbok ever’ in Durban.
The other three provinces look like they will step up in URC next year.
There are three in top 8 now. Remember this year they are all losing twice to Leinster whereas everyone else (besides Bulls) are losing only one to them.
The Leinster situation is forcing them to innovate.
One can at least see that the (hopeful for some) talk of Ireland returning to the bad old days are for the birds. All our URC teams are strong. Leinster B would be a top 3 URC team.
Whatever is going on with Sharks they should still be able to manufacture a win there. Looked to be low on the required levels of confidence and belief.
You can be sure that RJ, Barrett and Slimani were shouting Leinster on as if they were at the match. That spirit is something else that Leinster club has.
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