European Challenge Cup: Ospreys 25-3 Perpignan - Hosts book knockout place

Iestyn Hopkins played at full-back against Perpignan after featuring on the wing against Cardiff

Full-back Iestyn Hopkins scored two tries as Ospreys booked their Challenge Cup knockout place by defeating Perpignan in Swansea.

Wing Keelan Giles also scored while fly-half Dan Edwards kicked 10 points.

Benetton's victory at Newcastle means Ospreys qualified for the last 16.

But Ospreys and Wales will be concerned with a leg injury suffered by hooker Dewi Lake, playing out of position at flanker, which forced him off in the opening five minutes.

Wales begin their Six Nations campaign against Scotland on 3 February with head coach Warren Gatland naming his squad on Tuesday, 16 January.

Lake had only been handed the Ospreys open-side flanker role with specialists Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric and Harri Deaves all missing, while fellow back-rowers Rhys Davies, Morgan Morris and Tristan Davies were also part of a 17-strong injury list.

The curse continued as lock James Fender also left the field in the second half with a shoulder problem, while the game finished with passive scrums because of Ospreys' front-row casualties.

There had also been a late Ospreys change with centre George North pulling out through illness and replaced by the returning Keiran Williams.

The victory was played in front a small crowd of 4,571 which indicates why new chief executive Lance Bradley has stated the side need to move to a new ground.

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There was a a minute's applause tribute beforehand to honour former Wales full-back JPR Williams, who died this week aged 74.

The first score did not occur until the 35th minute when Ospreys fly-half Edwards gave his side the lead with a penalty before full-back Hopkins sprinted away for an opportunist try.

Perpignan prop Nemo Roelofse was shown a yellow card early in the second half with Edwards adding a second penalty before fly-half Jake McIntyre opened the visitors' account with a successful kick.

Perpignan were reduced to 13 men as scrum-half Sadek Deghmache was sin-binned for a professional foul and Ospreys took advantage with Hopkins gliding over for his second try.

Wing Giles showed his pace as he scored his third try in two games following his double against Cardiff on New Year's Day.

Ospreys complete their pool campaign with a trip to South Africa to face Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday, 21 January targeting a home tie in the last 16 in April.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth: "We were probably a little naïve in the first half and we talked at half-time about being a little smarter and things we could do differently.

"The great thing was as a team as they always do, they listened, found a way and executed that well.

"We dictated the tempo of the game in the second half and big players made key decisions and we saw some nice tries.

"We were looking for the bonus point but we have managed to qualify."

Ospreys: Iestyn Hopkins; Mat Protheroe, Keiran Williams, Owen Watkin, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Luke Davies; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, James Fender, Adam Beard (capt), James Ratti, Dewi Lake, Morgan Morse.

Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, Lewis Jones, Will Hickey, Cameron Jones, Jack Walsh, Luke Scully.

Perpignan: Louis Dupichot; Boris Goutard, Eddie Sawailau, Apisai Naqalevu, Lucas Dubois; Jake McIntyre, Sadek Deghmache; Akato Fakatika, Ignacio Ruiz, Nemo Roelofse, Tristan Labouteley, Shahn Eru, Lucas Bachelier, Kelian Galletier (capt), So'otala Fa'aso'o.

Replacements: Victor Montgaillard, Sacha Lotrian, Arthur Joly, Bastien Chinarro, Alan Brazo, Joaquin Oviedo, Matteo Rodor, Jean-Pascal Barraque.

Sin-bins: Roelofse 42, Deghmache 50.

Referee: Morné Ferreira (SA)

Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen & Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)

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