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Zach Mercer earns Gloucester victory in tight affair in Edinburgh
By PA
Gloucester clinched their place in the last 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup as they held on for a narrow 21-20 win at Edinburgh on Saturday.
The English side were outscored by three tries to two, but Zach Mercer’s 73rd-minute touchdown, converted by Adam Hastings, proved decisive in the Pool Three clash.
Their victory was their third in succession in the competition, while defeat left Edinburgh needing to beat Scarlets next time out to be sure of joining them in the next round.
A Glen Young try gave Edinburgh the lead after Gloucester lost Seb Atkinson to the sin-bin, but Louis Rees-Zammit scored a superb reply and Hastings landed three penalties.
Edinburgh hit back to regain the lead with tries from Ewan Ashman and Ben Vellacott after the hour, but the hosts were unable to hang on.
Welsh side Dragons fell just short as they were beaten 20-17 at Zebre Parma in Pool One.
Dragons led 12-8 at half-time after four Cai Evans penalties, but the Italians had crossed through Simone Gesi and another try from Jacopo Bianchi after the break put them ahead.
Gesi’s second try extended Zebre’s lead and the hosts held firm after Jared Rosser touched down to set up a tight finish.
Scarlets also suffered defeat as they went down 38-17 in their Pool Three clash at Clermont Auvergne.
The 26th-minute sending off of Johnny Williams proved costly for Scarlets as the hosts scored all six of their tries after his dismissal.
Alivereti Raka and Anthony Belleau claimed two apiece with Giorgi Beria and Joris Jurand also cashing in. Belleau added four conversions to his haul, while Scarlets mustered replies through Steff Evans and Kieran Hardy.
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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