Wallabies abroad: Cup action takes hold

Mon, Dec 11, 2017, 12:22 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Rob Horne crossed for Northampton in their Champions Cup loss. Photo: Getty Images
Rob Horne crossed for Northampton in their Champions Cup loss. Photo: Getty Images

Champions and Challenge Cup action took centre stage across Europe at the weekend, along with some treacherous conditions.

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

CHAMPIONS CUP

Two Queenslanders squared off in Montpellier's season defining win over Glasgow, Jesse Mogg lining up for the former and Sam Johnson for the latter.

Former Rebel Steve Cummins was the sole Australian in Scarlets' clash with Benneton, Cummins' Welsh outfit getting the upper hand in the 33-28 win.

Semi Radradra made his return to Toulon's left wing and hosted Ben Tapuai's Bath, the former getting the upper hand late in the piece after a dominant first half from Bath.

Ospreys notched their first Champions Cup win of the year against Rob Horne's Northampton, the former Waratah crossing for a try in the Saints' attempted comeback.Christian Lealiifano's Ulster played in ridiculous conditions. Photo: Getty ImagesFormer Aussie Sevens star Nick Malouf watched on from the bench as Munster proved far too good for Leicester, while Ian Prior did the same for Harlequins, who were without skipper James Horwill.

Christian Lealiifano ran Ulster's attack in that win over Harlequins, with conditions borderline unplayable due to heavy snowfall.

Another Aussie led La Rochelle to a big win over Wasps, Brock James slotting 15 points off the kicking tee in the 49-29 win.

Saracens and Clermont had their blockbuster clash postponed due to heavy snow but Nic White and Scott Fardy avoided such conditions when Exeter squared off with Leinster, Fardy earning bragging rights over his former Brumbies teammates with an 18-8 win.

RESULTS

Pool One

Harlequins 5 - Ulster 17

La Rochelle 49 - Wasps 29

Pool Two

Saracens vs Clermont - postponed

Northampton 32 - Ospreys 43

Pool Three

Exeter 8 - Leinster 18

Glasgow 22 - Montpellier 29

Pool Four

Castres 16 - Racing 92 13

Munster 33 - Leicester 10

Pool Five

Scarlets 33 - Benetton Treviso 28

Toulon 24 - Bath 20

CHALLENGE CUP

Mike Harris started at flyhalf for Lyon but couldn't get them over the line against Toulouse, who were without regular playmaker Zack Holmes in the 30-23 win.

Paul Alo-Emile and Hugh Pyle kept Stade Francais in the hunt for the Challenge Cup with a 39-24 win over Krasny Yar, while Cruze Ah Nau's Zebre side were felled by Gloucester.Hugh Pyle and Stade Francais kept their Challenge Cup hopes alive. Photo: AFPThere was similar bad news for Luke Jones, Leroy Houston and Bordeaux, flogged in an eight try masterclass from Newcastle.

Saia Faingaa and Ben Meehan were on the end of their own thrashing, the latter crossing for a late consolation try in London Irish's 50-20 loss to Edinburgh.

RESULTS

Pool One

Newcastle 52 - Bordeaux 24

Dragons 15 - Enisei-STM 0

Pool Two

Sale 24 - Cardiff 0

Toulouse 30 - Lyon 23

Pool Three

Zebre 26 - Gloucester 33

Agen 21 - Pau 40

Pool Four

Edinburgh 50 - London Irish 20

Stade Francais 39 - Krasny Yar 24

Pool Five

Worcester 35 - Oyonnax 14

Brive 31 - Connacht 38

TOP LEAGUE

Adam Ashley-Cooper and the Kobelco Steelers were too good for Anthony Faingaa, Nigel Ah-Wong and the Liners and there were Aussies aplenty in Suntory's clash with the Green Rockets.

Matt Giteau and Campbell Magnay lined up as a formidable centre pairing for the Sungoliath, with Jordan Smiler coming off the bench and former Red Hendrik Tui starting at blindside flanker in the 28-13 win.

Peter Kimlin started at No. 8 and Sam Greene at fullback for the Shuttles, with Mark Gerrard also coming off the bench in their 35-20 loss.

Digby Ioane was the sole Australian in the Panasonic starting XV, crossing for a try from outside centre before Berrick Barnes replaced him in the 70th minute.

RESULTS

NEC Green Rockets 13 - Suntory Sungoliaths 28

NTT Communications Shining Arcs 8 - Canon Eagles 3

Yamaha Jubilo 54 - Coca-Cola Red Sparks 7

Toyota Industries Shuttles 20 - Ricoh Black Rams 35 

Toyota Verblitz 46 - NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes 18

Kobe Steelers 39 - Kintetsu Liners 22

Panasonic Wild Knights 42 - Munakata Sanix Blues 7

Kubota Spears 22 - Toshiba Brave Lupus 38

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