Stade Français thumped London Welsh in the Amlin Challenge Cup on Saturday while Bath and Perpignan also won comfortably on the road.
Results:
Bucuresti 17-40 Bath
Rovigo 12-79 Perpignan
London Welsh 19-68 Stade Français
Bizkaia Gernika RT 5 - 87 Worcester Warriors
Calvisano 31 - 36 Agen
Bordeaux Begles 16-43 London Irish
London Wasps 38-25 Dragons
London Welsh were given a baptism of fire in Europe against Stade Français, who ran in nine tries win at the Kassam Stadium. Felipe Contepomi finished with a 25-point haul, including a late try. Hooker Remi Bonfils and centre Waisea Vuidarvuwalu both crossed twice to secure the bonus point before half-time. London Welsh fly-half Gavin Henson scored the first points for the Exiles at this level, but they still trailed 35-16 at the interval.
Sam Vesty scored 20 points as Bath claimed their first away win in Europe in almost two years with a convincing bonus-point success over Bucharest Wolves. The 2008 winners strolled to a five-try victory at Arcul de Triumf. Lock Will Spencer and hooker Ross Batty scored first-half tries before Vesty, Ollie Devoto and Kane Palma-Newport all crossed to seal maximum points for Gary Gold's troops.
Worcester thrashed Spanish champions Gernika, who were making their European debut, as the Warriors crossed 13 times. Replacement Max Stelling grabbed a six-minute hat-trick late on, wing Andy Short and scrum-half Paul Hodgson scored try doubles while number 10 Joe Carlisle bagged 25 points with a try and 10 conversions.
Earlier in the day, French giants Perpignan thrashed Rovigo in a 10-try romp at the Stadio Mario Battaglini.
London Irish brushed Bordeaux Begles aside with an easy win at the Stade Andre Moga on the French west coast. Sailosi Tagicakibau scored twice while Chris Hala'ufia, Topsy Ojo, Halani Aulika and Jonathan Joseph all crossed for the Exiles.
London Wasps joined Bayonne at the top of the Pool 3 thanks to bonus-point win at home to Newport Gwent Dragons. The Dragons got off to a flyer when qualified pilot Andrew Hughes scorched over for a second-minute try but Wasps soon replied as Jack Wallace, Fabio Staibano, Billy Vunipola and Joe Simpson all crossed for the 2003 champions. Teenager Jack Dixon scored a consolation try for the visitors.
Comments
APV1 says...
This is exactly what the Amlin is all about. An opportunity for lower-tier clubs to get European exposure and, as such, developing. No jokes about Bath necessary, thanks!!
Italy used to be hammered by everyone in the 6N. Now they don't even get the Wooden Spoon.
Posted 12:07 15th October 2012
Lucasrg says...
@melkdave I agree....Amilin cup is perfect to raise quality and popularity in tier 2-3 nations.
Posted 17:19 14th October 2012
melkdave says...
Well got to feel a tad sorry ,for Gernika,the spainish champions,There first taste of european rugby,and 13 tries let in .But then we are talking about a fully profesional side playing against an amatauer ,or semi pro at best.I do however feel that its good to have competitors from teir 2-3 nations,as it shows them just how far they have to come to be competative in europe.Hopefully they along with the others ,will go back home ,and build for the future.Hopefully pro leagues will emerge and one of the present teir 2-3 nations teams ,will be challanging for the HEC with the big clubs of europe,say 10 yrs from now ,or is that being to optomistic.
Posted 09:58 14th October 2012