Latest
Overview
Season so far
Tournament record
Gloucester Rugby begin their quest to reclaim the European Rugby Challenge Cup with a trip to TOP14 strugglers Bayonne. - 13/10/2016 13:58
Gloucester Rugby begin their quest to reclaim the European Rugby Challenge Cup with a trip to TOP14 strugglers Bayonne.
The Cherry and Whites saw last season’s defence of their trophy end at the hands of the Newport Gwent Dragons at the quarter-final stage. But they have the chance to get their Pool 1 campaign off to a flying start against Bayonne, who have not won since the opening round of TOP14 fixtures.
But that solitary victory came against three-time European Rugby Champions Cup winners RC Toulon, and they have battled to draws against Lyon and Castres. And Gloucester scrum-half Will Heinz is not underestimating the Bayonne threat.
He said: “This is a competition that we have done well in over the past few years, and started well to get a few wins under our belt early on which is key going forward.
“We've had a look at Bayonne of course, but largely it is about sticking to our game and carrying out our game plan and structure. Looking at them, they get going when the game becomes loose and free-flowing.
“Bayonne play a different style to what we are used to in the Premiership, so having a look at them, we might have to change a few things defensively to manage what they will bring, but I guess it all comes down to what we can do. There's a lot of excitement within the squad to get over to France and into a different environment. It's definitely something we're looking forward to.”
David Humphreys’ side have won 15 of their last 16 Challenge Cup outings. England wing Jonny May could make his long awaited return from a knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines for nine months.
Bayonne will be out to cause a shock against the English heavyweights. And hooker Simon Labouyrie is pleased to switch their attentions to the Challenge Cup.
He said: “This is an opportunity to focus on something else. I think everyone has a challenge this weekend, either individually or collectively. It's a chance to show for all the players that have played little rugby that we have been fortunate to have play time in TOP 14. And above all we want to attack this competition. We face a great team from the English league which has many internationals. It is a great challenge as the competition name suggests!”
Match Facts
- This will be the third meeting between the clubs in the Challenge Cup, with Gloucester winning both previous encounters by margins of 13+ points.
- Bayonne have lost just one of their last five home games against Premiership opposition (W3, D1).
- Gloucester have won their last 20 pool matches in the Challenge Cup and have won their last 11 pool games away from home.
- Bayonne have won their opening Challenge Cup match in each of their last six campaigns, including two wins against Premiership opponents in that run.
- Gloucester conceded just 1.4 tries per game last season, the joint best rate in the competition (level with Sale Sharks).
Jonny May scored on his comeback to cap a perfect start to the Challenge Cup for former champions Gloucester. - 15/10/2016 18:36
Jonny May scored on his comeback to cap a perfect start to the Challenge Cup for former champions Gloucester.
England wing May had been out for 10 months with a knee injury but marked his return to rugby with a crucially-timed score. Gloucester were struggling to handle Bayonne’s driving line-out that had just claimed a third try to narrow the gap to two points at 29-27.
James Hook, who kicked 17 points, slotted a penalty before May opened up daylight that set up a strong finish from David Humphreys’ side at the end of a thrilling clash. Gloucester ran out at Stade Jean-Dauger in their black, yellow and red 125th anniversary jerseys and revelled in the French sunshine as they raced into a 21-6 lead after just 16 minutes.
May looked threatening from the opening seconds and after Lucas Meret kicked the opening points, Gloucester struck three times. Mark Atkinson burst onto a delightful short pass from Billy Twelvetrees in the fifth minute and Matt Scott then strolled through after a well-timed interception as Bayonne attacked.
Atkinson grabbed a second try after Hook found May with a well-placed cross-field kick. May was held short but had the awareness to hand Atkinson an easy finish. Hook converted all three early scores to cap a breathless opening.
Bayonne had real power up front, dominating the scrum and making yards every time with their powerful driving maul that set up a first response for Thibault Lacroix and then Simon Labouyrie and also forced an early exit for Paul Doran-Jones.
Hook chipped away with more penalties and when he snagged Meret on the Bayonne try-line, Gloucester’s forwards flooded forward and Twelvetrees touched down. Gloucester led 29-20 but Bayonne’s forward power told once more as flanker Dion Outai rumbled over before May scorched clear thanks to quick thinking from skipper Willi Heinz at a penalty and the scoring pass by Joe Latta.
Gloucester were forced to dig deep amid a Bayonne backlash, not least when replacement prop Motu Matu’u was binned for dragging down a maul. But the visitors held firm with Lewis Ludlow, Jacob Rowan and replacement Matt Kvesic making crucial tackles while Charlie Sharples, who took over from May, twice threatened.
Hook’s fourth penalty finally curtailed home hopes and Tom Savage charged over after a smart break by Matu’u to put the seal on a thrilling win.
LIVE - TEST - Commentary