Challenge Cup Round 5 Match Reports
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Terrific Toulon ease past Scarlets into quarter-finals
RC Toulon came from behind to beat Scarlets – and progress from Pool 2 to the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.
The French side led the pool going into the match, and Scarlets had won their previous three home games in European competition.
However, they had never beaten Toulon – and knew that they had to achieve a club first if they were to qualify for the knock-out stages. Full report
Leicester Tigers made it five wins from five in Pool 5 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup as they secured a 30-20 success in a thrilling contest with Cardiff Blues at Welford Road.
Cardiff gave an excellent account of themselves and led 14-10 at the break but must now win their final pool game next week to stand any chance of keeping their quarter-final hopes alive. Full report
Bayonne stopped London Irish from making it three in a row as they notched a 27-10 win at Stade Jean-Dauger in Pool 2 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Irish had won their previous two Challenge Cup meetings, winning a 2006 quarter-final and Round 2’s clash in November.
But the hosts came out on top, dominating from the off. Full report
Bristol Bears are through to the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup for a second consecutive year, sealing it with a comprehensive 52-3 defeat of Brive at Ashton Gate.
They completed the double over the French side in style, having whitewashed them 36-0 in France in Round 2 in the clubs’ first-ever meeting. Full report
Worcester Warriors brushed aside Enisei-STM to record a resounding 66-10 triumph at Sixways.
The ten-try win combined with the result from the other match in Pool 1 means they move into second place behind new leaders Castres Olympique. Full report
Castres Olympique wowed the crowd with a superlative performance against Dragons – coming out on top 42-14 in a crunch Pool 1 clash at Stade Pierre Fabre.
Six tries from the hosts secured their bonus point – and their place at the top of the pool, toppling today’s opponents. Full report
Zebre Rugby Club pulled off a shock 24-29 away win at Stade Francais Paris in Pool 4 of the Challenge Cup – only their fourth on opponents’ turf in the history of the competition.
They got themselves an attacking bonus point to boot – the finest revenge after the French club had edged the clubs’ first ever meeting 13-12 in Round 2 in Italy back in November. Full report
Wasps completed the double over Agen in Pool 3 as they racked up eight tries in a 52-24 triumph at Stade Armandie.
It was their first win in France since December 2014.
It was a whirlwind start as Ashley Johnson crossed after just two minutes to put Wasps ahead, with his effort converted by Lima Sopoaga – but Fernandez Correa struck back almost immediately, with the extras added by Thomas Vincent. Full report
Flurry of tries as Pau pummel Rugby Calvisano
A pulsating performance from Pau secured them a long-awaited away win in the Challenge Cup as they crushed Rugby Calvisano 19-47 at Pata Stadium.
Pau have lost their last six away Challenge Cup games by an average margin of over 20 points – but this was a very comfortable affair from the off. Full report
The boot of Matthieu Jalibert was once more the difference as Bordeaux-Begles defeated Edinburgh Rugby 32-17 at Stade Chaban-Delmas to secure their place at the top of Pool 3.
The fly-half – the Challenge Cup’s leading scorer so far this campaign, with 62 points to his credit – converted three tries and scored two penalties to help his side on their way to their first ever unbeaten five-game streak in European competition. Full report
