The TOP 14 leaders finally translated their outstanding domestic form onto the European scene, running in four tries in the first meeting between the clubs to climb off the bottom of Pool 1.

Benetton had won only once away to French opposition in the competition and it soon became obvious this wasn’t going to be win no.2, with Lyon full-back Jean-Marcellin Buttin scoring their first try after only two minutes following a scrum deep in the visiting 22.

Five minutes later it was 12-0 to the home team as a poor defensive kick from Benetton allowed Lyon to unleash a devastating counter-attack from just outside their 22, which culminated in centre Charlie Ngatai touching down near the posts. Jonathan Wisniewski converted.

18' #LOUBEN #TEAMLOU Pénalité pour le LOU ! Wisniewski, des 30m, légèrement sur la droite, ajuste la mire et ajoute 3 points. 15-0. pic.twitter.com/Sq0YM8BN6q

— LOU Rugby (@LeLOURugby) December 7, 2019

Benetton then rallied but without really threatening the Lyon line and after Wisniewski had kicked a 17th minute penalty, the home side chalked up their third try on 27 minutes when left wing Xavier Mignot rounded off a fine move to dot down in the corner.

That Lyon’s only score after that until the 74th minute was a 67th penalty goal from replacement fly-half Pato Fernandez was due to a mixture of outstanding Benetton defence and a series of handling errors from the French team.

However, replacement flanker Liam Gill ended home frustration by plunging over from a driving line-out wide on the right.