1
Edinburgh top their Challenge Cup group, Gloucester ship heavy loss
By PA
Gloucester were dealt a 55-17 defeat by Bayonne at Stade Jean-Dauger in the European Challenge Cup.
ADVERTISEMENT
Only two Gloucester players remained from last weekend’s victory against Scarlets, but the visitors were soon ahead in the fixture after Charlie Chapmen crossed the line for the game’s opening try.
However, Bayonne offered an immediate response with tries from Baptiste Germain, Lucas Martin and Camille Lopez allowing the French side to hold a 12-point lead over their opponents at the interval.
Federico Mori and Facundo Bosch scored Bayonne’s fourth and fifth tries after the break before substitute Cheikh Tiberghein struck twice within three minutes.
Giovanni Habel-Kuffner then landed the home side’s eighth and final try, with Cam Jordan crossing over for a consolation.
Despite the heavy defeat, the Cherry and Whites ended their group campaign in fourth meaning they progress to the last 16.
Edinburgh scored five tries to cruise to a 36-15 home win against Black Lion.
Sam Skinner, Wes Goosen and Luke Crosbie were all on target in the first half before Edinburgh were reduced to 14 players after Magnus Bradbury was shown a red card.
ADVERTISEMENT
But Bradbury’s sending-off did not derail his side’s afternoon as Matt Currie and Patrick Harrison added to Edinburgh’s tally in the second period.
Irakli Kvatadze and Shalva Aptsiauri ran over late scores, but the visitors never came close to threatening Edinburgh as the Scottish outfit finished top of Pool 3 to seal a home tie in the round of 16.
Go behind the scenes of both camps during the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Binge watch exclusively on RugbyPass TV now
