Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Wasps get Challenge Cup campaign up and running

By Online Editors
Wasps' Jack Willis breaks clear against Agen (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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…)

Video Spacer

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

WATCH: RugbyPass looks back on some of our favourite moments with the fans at the World Cup in Japan

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Storm clouds gather over Biarritz with owner poised to bail out Storm clouds gather over Biarritz with owner poised to bail out
Search