Wasps get Challenge Cup campaign up and running
Wasps got their European Challenge Cup campaign up and running with a 32-14 win over Agen at the Ricoh Arena. The home side, beaten away in their Pool 3 opener to Bordeaux Begles last weekend, had trailed to a converted try from Loris Tolot.
Ashley Johnson, though, went over from a maul before Jacob Umaga’s kicking extended the lead to 13-7 at the break. Further tries from Tommy Taylor and Johnson put Wasps in command, with Malakai Fekitoa crossing to secure the bonus point. Fernandez Correa added a late consolation for the hosts.
London Irish ran in seven tries to beat Bayonne 45-31 in their Pool 2 match at the Madejski Stadium. The Exiles, beaten 20-16 against Scarlets last time out, scored five tries in the first half – during which the French club also crossed four times to go into the break at 31-24.
Converted tries for Saia Fainga’a and Ben Meehan gave the hosts some breathing space. A late score for former Harlequins number eight Mat Luamanu, his second of the match, secured Bayonne a bonus point.
Stand-off Paddy Jackson completed five conversions, including one from his own try after 25 minutes, to finish with a personal haul of 14 points.
(Continue reading below...)
Saturday’s early kick-off in Pool 1 saw Worcester Warriors beaten 17-9 away at Castres. Duncan Weir kicked three penalties for the visitors, however first-half tries for winger Filipo Nakosi and flanker Baptiste Delaporte proved enough for the French side.
Elsewhere, in Pool 4, Stade Francais picked up a much-needed 13-12 win at Zebre. The Paris club – bottom of the Top 14 and having seen coach Heyneke Meyer depart – scored a converted try from Gael Fickou, with Nicolas Sanchez adding two penalties. The Italians, though, made a late fight back with a penalty try setting up a tense finale.
WATCH: RugbyPass looks back on some of our favourite moments with the fans at the World Cup in Japan
Latest Comments
Fiji. 1 point.
Go to commentsI tend to agree with Campese. This is probably the last chance Eben has of winning the award. But man, Cheslin and PSDT have been sublime.
Go to comments