Much-changed Gloucester heavily beaten by Bayonne

Charlie Chapman opened the scoring for Gloucester in what turned out to be a disappointing day.

European Challenge Cup

Bayonne (22) 55

Tries: Germain, Martin, Lopez, Mori, Bosch, Tiberghein 2, Habel-Kueffner. Cons: Lopez 3, Segonds 3. Pens: Lopez.

Gloucester (10) 17

Tries: Chapman, Jordan Cons: Barton, Atkinson. Pens: Barton.

A second-string Gloucester side suffered a heavy defeat in the European Challenge Cup to Bayonne in south-west France.

First-half tries from Baptiste Germain, Lucas Martin and Camille Lopez helped the hosts, who are currently fifth in France's Top 14, gain a deserved win in a strong display at Stade Jean-Dauger.

Further touchdowns after the break from Federico Mori, Facundo Bosch, Giovanni Habel-Kuffner and two tries from substitute Cheikh Tiberghein ensured Bayonne eased to a bonus-point victory.

Gloucester began the match with only two of the players who started last weekend's home victory over Scarlets but made a brilliant start when George Barton found a gap in the Bayonne defence and expertly set up scrum-half Charlie Chapman to run in under the posts.

That was as good as it got for Gloucester, however, when six minutes later Germain side-stepped through the visitors' defence to score and reduce the deficit to two points.

Following Barton's successful penalty, the hosts took the lead for the first time when hooker Martin went over to score.

Just before half-time, former French international fly-half, and captain for the day, Lopez finished superbly after latching on to his own grubber-kick to help extend the hosts lead to 12 points at the break.

The hosts made a fast start to the second period when Italian international Mori burst through to score a terrific individual try in the corner.

After Bayonne had a try ruled out for obstruction by the television match official (TMO), Argentina hooker Bosch scored the hosts' fifth try following a successful maul.

Substitute Tiberghein then scored two tries within three minutes before Habel-Kuffner got Bayonne's eighth and final try in a coherent display over their inexperienced opponents.

Second-row forward Jordan scored a late consolation try for Gloucester, which was converted by fly-half Charlie Atkinson, just before the full-time whistle.

Following Vannes' defeat to Scarlets on Saturday, the Cherry and Whites have still progressed to the Round of 16.

Bayonne finish second in Pool 3 on 14 points behind Edinburgh while Gloucester end their group stage campaign in fourth with nine points, meaning they will play their last-16 tie away from home.

Bayonne: Spring; Megdoud, Martocq, Mori, Erbinartegaray; Lopez (c), Germain; Villar, Martin, Scholtz, Marchois, Paulos, Traversier, Heguy, Cassiem.

Replacements: Bosch, Cormenier, Cotet, Moon, Habel-Kuffner, Rouet, Segonds, Tiberghien.

Gloucester: Barton; Hillman-Cooper, Butler, Knight, Morris; Atkinson, Chapman; Ford-Robinson, Nelson, Petch, Clark, Jordan, Eite, Taylor (c), Tuisue.

Replacements: Singleton, McArthur, Benz-Salomon, Gwynne, James, Englefield, Taylor, Cotgreave.

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)