Gloucester claim fine European win over Clermont

Gloucester have started their European Challenge Cup campaign with two wins from two

Gloucester (22) 28
Tries: May, Socino 2 Cons: Carreras 2 Pens: Carreras 3
Clermont Auvergne (10) 17
Tries: Jauneau, Sowakula Cons: Plisson, Belleau Pens: Plisson

Gloucester claimed an impressive victory over Clermont Auvergne to make it two wins out of two in the European Challenge Cup.

The win was built on a fine first-half display with tries from Jonny May and two from Santiago Socino.

Despite Baptiste Jauneau and Pita Gus Sowakula scores, the French side were unable to come away with a bonus point.

The Cherry and Whites had entered the Challenge Cup on the back of six straight Premiership defeats, before a much-changed side beat Black Lion in Georgia on 9 December.

But this was a step up against a side who have won this competition three times, and also lost three European Cup finals in five seasons between 2013 and 2017, although Clermont had a disappointing 10th-place finish in last season's Top 14.

An early Jules Plisson penalty put the visitors in front before a Zach Mercer offload sent May bursting through a tackle with his momentum taking over him for his first try since announcing his England retirement.

But the lead was short-lived as a break from full-back Alex Newsome ended with Jauneau scoring in the corner.

However, Gloucester had taken control by half-time thanks to two tries in five minutes from Argentina hooker Socino, driving over on both occasions after strong work from the home pack.

The boot of fly-half Santiago Carreras kept the scoreboard ticking over after the break and despite a try from All Black Sowakula, they could enjoy a first home win in front of the Shed since mid-October.

Gloucester: Rees-Zammit; May, Harris, Llewellyn, Thorley; Carreras, Varney; Elrington, Socino, Balmain, Clarke, Alemanno, Clement, Ludlow, Mercer.

Replacements: McGuigan, Ford-Robinson, Gotovtsev, Jordan, Donnell, Chapman, Atkinson, Evans.

Clermont Auvergne: Newsome; Delguy, Fouyssac, Darricarrere, Roziere; Plisson, Jauneau; Bibi Biziwu, Beheregaray, Slimani, Lanen, Lavanini, Sowakula, Kremer, Lee.

Replacements: Fourcade, Falgoux, Kiteau, Simmons, Tixeront, Bezy, Belleau, Moala.

Referee: Holly Davidson