Pool 4
Krasny Yar 34 – 29 Stade Francais
Siberia was the location of one of the biggest shocks in the history of European club competition, as Krasny Yar beat last seasons champions Stade Francais.
Stade captain Julien Arias opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a try, but Krasny would reply through Azamat Bitiev. Anthony Ensor get Stades 2nd try to put them 5 – 12 ahead. Krasny would rally with Gresev, Fukofuka, and Mahu all touching down to put the Russian side in front and ensuring they would take a bonus point from the game. Stade also go over the line through Bouhranua. At halftime the score was 24 – 17 to Krasny.
Arias would score his second try to secure a bonus point for Stade, but Krasny would not be denied, with Gresev getting over the line again. Malagruradze converted it and kicked a penalty. Qadiri got one back for Stade to ensure they took two bonus points from the game. However, the day belonged to Krasny Yar, only the 2nd Russian team to qualify for the Challenge Cup.
London Irish 14 – 37 Edinburgh
Edinburgh got five tries at the Madejski Stadium to top their pool at the end of the first round of games.
Brophy Clews kicked London Irish ahead in the opening ten minutes. Edinburgh would respond with two tries from Hoyland and Rasolea. Hoskins touched down for Irish to keep them within touching distance, put Hidalgo-Clyne would kick a penalty and Rasolea would get his 2nd try. Brophy Clews got a penalty for Irish, Edinburgh led 11 – 20 at halftime.
London Irish could only add a penalty in the second half, while Edinburgh added a penalty and two more converted tries, scored by Ritchie and Crosbie.
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Ciarán Duffy (@TheVoiceDepth) is a Leinster supporter and self-proclaimed ‘big cheese’ of Post To Post (@PostToPostSport). He’ll write about anything rugby under the condition he gets to take it too seriously.
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