European Challenge Cup

There were wins for Cardiff Blues, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester and Stade Francais as the second round of European Rugby Challenge Cup fixtures drew to a close today.

Zebre won their first European match at the 14th time of asking as they beat Brive 26-21 while there were also European Rugby Challenge Cup wins for London Irish, La Rochelle, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

London Welsh were soundly beaten by in-form French side Bordeaux-Begles in Thursday's European Challenge Cup encounter at the Kassam Stadium.

Sunday 19 October saw London Irish welcome Italian side Rovigo Delta in the European Rugby Challenge Cup. The game also saw Dan Leo and Ofisa Treviranus start for the Exiles, the pair having both been selected recently for the Samoa squad ahead of the autumn internationals.

London Irish ran in 10 tries during a comprehensive 70-14 win over Rovigo in the final European Rugby Challenge Cup game of the first round.

A round-up of the first Saturday of action in the new European Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup competitions where there was plenty of drama and high quality rugby played.

Edinburgh claimed an impressive 15-13 away win over Bordeaux-Begles and Newcastle Falcons beat Bucharest Wolves 43-19 in the evening's European Rugby Challenge Cup matches.

Charlie Sharples marked his 150th competitive appearance for Gloucester with a hat-trick of tries as the Premiership side beat Brive 55-0 in the opening game of the European Rugby Challenge Cup at Kingsholm.

Goodbye Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup, hello European Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup. Welcome to a new era of European club rugby, but how much has really changed?

Edinburgh are preparing to make their debut in the European Rugby Challenge Cup with a clash against in-form French side Bordeaux-Begles at the Stade Andre-Moga.

Northampton prop Silesi Ma'afu has been handed a one-week ban and order to pay £500 costs after punching Leicester hooker Tom Youngs in Thursday's Aviva Premiership semi-final.

Bath booked their place in the Amlin Challenge Cup final with a narrow 24-18 win over Wasps at Adams Park.

Two moments of inspiration from Kahn Fotuali'i saw Northampton to an 18-10 win over Harlequins that kept dreams of an Amlin Cup and Premiership double alive.

Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Davies has blasted his side's 'totally unacceptable' performance in the first half of their Amlin Challenge Cup defeat to Wasps.

Wasps' forward pack played a key role as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup with a 36-24 win over Gloucester.

The semi-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup will be an all-English affair after Bath thrashed Brive 39-7 to join Harlequins, Northampton and one of Wasps or Gloucester in the last four.

Nick Evans scored 17 points to guide Harlequins to a 29-6 victory over Stade Francais that put the English side into the semi-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Ben Nutley touched down twice as Northampton eased into the semi-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup following a dominant 28-14 triumph over Sale Sharks.

Gloucester grabbed a surprise place in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a stunning success against Perpignan at the Stade Aime Giral.

Worcester saved their best performance in Europe this season for their last Amlin Challenge Cup Pool One match as they finally broke their duck with a 20-13 triumph over Oyonnax.