European Challenge Cup: Lyon 19-13 Gloucester - Below-strength Gloucester side run Lyon close
- Published
Gloucester's youthful pack more than matched their experienced French rivals
European Challenge Cup Pool B |
|---|
Lyon: (6) 19 |
Tries: Taufua Cons: Doussain Pens: Doussain 3, Pelissie |
Gloucester: (3) 13 |
Tries: Jordan Cons: Twelvetrees Pens: Twelvetrees 2 |
A below-strength Gloucester side ran French hosts Lyon close as they lost their Challenge Cup opener 19-13.
Two Jean-Marc Doussain penalties to one from Billy Twelvetrees saw the French side lead following a tight first period which they just edged.
Jordan Taufua went over for Lyon early in the second half but Cameron Jordan replied with his first Gloucester try.
Jonathan Pelissie's penalty 10 minutes from the end extended Lyon's lead as Gloucester earned a losing bonus point.
Gloucester made the trip to a near-full strength Lyon with a much-changed line-up as Louis Rees-Zammit, Chris Harris, Ollie Thorley, Ben Morgan and Jack Singleton were among those rested.
But their inexperienced pack - half aged 20 or under - impressed against a Lyon group of forwards including six internationals and the Cherry and Whites defended well the first period wore on.
Twelvetrees kicked a penalty shortly after the restart to level the scores, but Lyon finally broke through as former Leicester number eight Taufua was forced over from a 47th-minute lineout maul.
The hosts had a second try disallowed for obstruction 10 minutes later, but Doussain kicked a penalty to increase the lead to 10 points after an infringement in the build-up
Gloucester replied straight away as Santiago Carreras caught the kick-off and set up good field position for Jordan to blast in two phases later.
Pelissie's penalty 10 minutes from the end extended the lead and Gloucester missed a chance for a late winner as they messed up a lineout close to their opponent's try-line.
Lyon: Arnold; Dumortier, Barassi, Ngatai, Niniashvili; Sopoaga, Doussain; S Taofifenua, Marchand, Bamba, Geraci, R. Taofifenua, Lambey, Saginadze, Taufua.
Replacements: Charcosset, Devisme, Kaabeche, Mayanavanua Fainga'a, Pelissie, Regard, Laporte.
Gloucester: Moyle, Carreras, Kveseladze, Twelvetrees (c), A. Morgan, Barton, Varney; Ford-Robinson, Socino, Balmain, Davidson, Clark, Thomas, Taylor, Clement.
Replacements: Walker, Knight, O'Connor, Jordan, Conradie, Chapman, Seabrook, Morris.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Call of Duty or Battlefield with Bukayo Saka: The England star talks gaming on Press X to Continue
You're Dead to Me: Who was 'the epitome of the American Renaissance man'?
