Wallabies abroad: Aussies tackle Anglo-Welsh Cup

Mon, Nov 6, 2017, 10:44 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Ben Tapuai was a happy man after Bath's win over London Irish. Photo: Getty Images
Ben Tapuai was a happy man after Bath's win over London Irish. Photo: Getty Images

Test matches took centre stage at the weekend but some of the European clubs were still out in force.

Here's how each of the Australians abroad fared for their respective clubs.

FRENCH TOP 14

Former Force flyhalf Zack Holmes ran the show at number 10 for Toulouse and they won a 38-37 thriller against Bordeaux, Aussies Luke Jones, Leroy Houston and Blair Connor all starting for Bordeaux as they blew a 34-24 half time lead.

Mitch Inman started at outside centre for a struggling Oyonnax outfit as they fell 32-19 against Castres.Mitch Inman's side are struggling in Top 14. Photo: AFPLiam Gill's Lyon fell narrowly to Brock James and La Rochelle, who scored 14 points off the tee.

Jake McIntyre kept a cool head and kicked Agen to a 26-24 victory over Toulon, who had Semi Radradra line up on the wing.

Hugh Pyle's Stade de Francais couldn't get over the line against Brive, falling 20-19.

Joe Tomane's star studded Montpellier side had too much firepower for Peter Betham, Sitaleki Timani and Clermont, running out 28-24 winners.

ANGLO-WELSH CUP

The first round of the cross-border knockout cup was where all the English teams featured at the weekend.

There were three Australians in the London Irish 23, with Brendan McKibbin starting at halfback, Jake Schatz getting the nod at No. 8 and former Force prop Ollie Hoskins coming off the bench.

That trio were unable to overcome Ben Tapuai's Bath, though, the former Reds centre scoring a try in the 26-22 win.

Will Skelton's Saracens couldn't turn a 16-9 half time lead into cup progression, falling agonisingly short with a 30-29 loss to Harlequins, who were without skipper James Horwill.

PRO14

Lealiifano set up a superb Ulster try. Photo: Getty ImagesChristian Lealiifano starred in Ulster's 43-36 comeback win against the Southern Kings, setting up one of the early tries with a pair of strong runs and slotting three crucial conversions in a rollercoaster affair.

Scott Fardy's Leinster took on former GPS centre Sam Johnson and Glasgow, the younger Australian getting the better of his more senior counterpart with a 31-21 win.

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Will Skelton returned for La Rochelle in the Top 14. Photo: Getty Images
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