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European newcomers Oyonnax begin their first Amlin Challenge Cup clash against Worcester Warriors at Stade Charles Mathon on Saturday. - 08/10/2013 10:46
European newcomers Oyonnax begin their first Amlin Challenge Cup clash against Worcester Warriors at Stade Charles Mathon on Saturday.
The Rhône-Alpes region club were promoted to the Top 14 this season and have become serial giant killers. They have already toppled reigning Heineken Cup champions Toulon, beaten finalists Clermont Auvergne, Top 14 kings Castres Olympique and Biarritz Olympique.
But the French club will be without several key players due to injury with Florian Denos, Salim Tebani, Jean-Francois Coux, Clement Baiocco, Benjamin Urdapilleta and Johann Authier.
Meanwhile Worcester have endured a torrid start to the domestic season, with five straight defeats seeing them slump to the bottom of the English Premiership. And fly-half Paul Warwick admits a switch to European action will be a relief to the under pressure Warriors.
The English club have been dealt a blow ahead of the encounter with the news that Semisi Taulava and Ravi Fatiaki face extensive spells on the sidelines.
But their Argentinean trio of Agustin Creevy, Leonardo Senatore and Mariano Galarza following their involvement in the Rugby Championship. And Dean Ryan is set to hand starts to a host of academy players for the Stade Charles Mathon clash.
Le promu de l'Ain a arraché sur sa pelouse le nul (9-9) face à Worcester lors du premier match européen de son histoire grâce à une pénalité à la sirène. - 12/10/2013 21:01
Amlin Challenge Cup new boys Oyonnax may have been upsetting many of the top teams in the Top 14 after their promotion to the top flight this season, but they had to rely on a last gasp penalty to secure a draw on their European debut.
The Warriors were in battling mode and, despite a poor start to their Premiership campaign, they took control of the game in the first half after they had responded to Conrad Barnard’s 11th minute penalty for the home side.
By the break Paul Warwick’s boot had steered the Warriors into a 9-3 lead and an away win looked possible. Barnard was wide with a penalty shot at the start of the second half, but hit the mark after 62 minutes to cut the gap to three points.
The home side got stronger as they unloaded their replacements bench and they went close to scoring a try on a number of occasions. But the Warriors dug deeper and deeper and kept their line intact.
The home side were reduced to 10 men for the final seven minutes after Chad Slade was sent to the sin-bin, but the visitors couldn’t take advantage. Instead, they conceded an 80th minute penalty which Barnard goaled to steal a share of the spoils right at the death.
Worcester host Sale Sharks in round two next weekend, while Oyonnax head to fellow Top 14 side Biarritz Olympique.
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