Taufete'e hat-trick steers Worcester Warriors to 30-20 win over Brive

Worcester Warriors 30-20 Brive, Sixways Stadium
Scorecard

Joe Taufete'e scored a hat-trick as Worcester Warriors kick-started their European Rugby Challenge Cup campaign with a 30-20 win against Brive at Sixways Stadium on Saturday.

Fullback Guillaume Namy gave a promising start to Brive with an early try in the eighth minute with fly-half Matthieu Ugalde adding a conversion and a penalty. However, Worcester's reply came through a triple from Taufete'e in the 16th, 36th and 40th minutes to ensure the hosts ended the first half with a 17-10 lead.

Jono Lance further extended Worcester's lead to 10 points with a penalty at the start of the second half but Namy's second try a minute later meant the gap between the two teams was down to five points.

Prop Ethan Waller with his 60th minute touchdown ensured Worcester claimed the bonus point and Lance's penalty and conversion on either side stretched their lead to 15 points.

Despite, a sin-bin to replacement Louis Martin, Brive scored their third try through Julien Brugnaut but could not quite manage to get over the line.

The 10 point win has taken Worcester Warriors to the second position in Pool 5 while Brive are positioned third.