Much-changed Gloucester beaten by Vannes
A weakened Gloucester team endured a heavy defeat to Racing Club Vannes in the European Challenge Cup in north-west France.
Enzo Benmegal and Michael Ruru each scored two tries to help Vannes claim their first European victory of the season in a dominant performance at the full Stade de la Rabine. Additional tries from Karl Chateau and Cyril Blanchard secured a bonus-point win for the hosts.Gloucester managed three tries from Chris Harris, Gareth Blackmore, and Jake Morris, but failed to capitalize on the chance to top Pool 3 after their opening win over Edinburgh.Gloucester fielded just two of their starting players from last Saturday’s match and endured a nightmare start when Vannes’ Romaric Camou broke through to set up Benmegal’s try in the first 50 seconds. Vannes quickly doubled their lead as hooker Theo Beziat powered through weak tackles, setting up Ruru for a try within the first four minutes.Gloucester responded with a try from Harris, but Vannes regained their two-score lead when Ruru scored again after picking up a loose ball following a line-out. Gloucester couldn’t take advantage of a yellow card for Beziat, and Vannes entered halftime 12 points ahead.In the second half, a brilliant move from right to left allowed Benmegal to score again, effectively sealing the game for Vannes. Gloucester, however, continued to fight, with Blackmore scoring after a run by Reeves and Morris adding a try from a well-executed pass from Butler.Vannes responded with two more tries, as Chateau powered over from a maul and Blanchard added another, leaving Gloucester with little chance to recover. Despite their resilience, Gloucester fell to a heavy defeat against a Vannes team that had put their recent domestic struggles behind them.
