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Enisei-STM may be the European Rugby Challenge Cup's surprise package this season with a two consecutive victories
Enisei-STM may be the European Rugby Challenge Cup’s surprise package this season with a two consecutive victories, but Brive know just how dangerous the Russian side can be.
The TOP14 side were left stunned in round three of last year’s Challenge Cup when they became the first side to be beaten by Enisei in Europe. The competition debutants built a 10-0 lead at half-time thanks to a try from hooker Nazir Gasanov and five points from the boot of Iurii Kushnarev. The former European champions woke-up after half-time and got back into the match with a Thomas Acquier, but the hosts held on to claim a famous win.
And the Siberians have gone from strength to strength and top Pool 3 after wins over Worcester Warriors and Newport Gwent Dragons. Brive are playing catchup after they recovered from an opening defeat at Newport Gwent Dragons with a 25-24 triumph at Worcester. And head coach Nicholas Godignon is giving Enisei the respect they deserve.
He said: “We did not respect them last year, we all lacked humility. It was more an exotic trip, almost tourist or a charity. And we end up being pinned, to suffer heavily. When one loses the game, it is difficult, but when one loses profoundly and one is marked on the combat, it invites everyone to the respect.
“Even the English of Worcester and the Welsh of Newport have, in my opinion, also shown self-sufficiency and yet they played under favourable conditions. This Russian team deserves respect, it has won four of its last five home games and does not have to blush for anything. We have to pull out our hat for all the work that has been done.”
Brive were waiting for a hero to come along in the final quarter of their tense tussle with Worcester Warriors and it wasn't until the second minute of injury time that they found one. - 14/01/2017 22:45
Brive proved sound learners as they ran in four tries in their Pool 3 clash against Enisei-STM at Yug Stadium in Sochi – full back Gaetan Germain putting the boot in with 21 points from the tee.
The TOP14 side were left stunned in round three of the 2015 Challenge Cup when they became the first side to be beaten by Enisei in Europe.
So, although Enisei-STM went into the contest as perhaps the surprise package this season with two consecutive victories and nine points in the bag, Brive clearly knew know just how dangerous the Russian side could be.
Because they were never in any real danger of conceding an unwanted double as head coach Nicholas Godignon had obviously driven the point home they could not afford any complacency.
It took the 1997 European champions just a minute to get their first try on the way to the bonus point win with outside half Nicolas Bezy silencing the home crowd – and he finished matters 79 minutes later by converting replacement Benito Masilevu’s last gasp try.
Enisei-STM did give their supporters something to cheer about with No 8 Anton Rudoi crashing over in the 16th minute and outside half Lurii Kushnarev adding a penalty on the half hour.
But the rest of the scoring came from the French club, left wing Guillaume Namy getting the second before the break for a 26-8 half-time scoreline.
Hooker Guillaume Ribes got the third try four minutes after the restart before Masilevu banked the extra point in the 80th minute.
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