Bristol go top in thriller

EPCR Challenge Cup contenders Bristol Bears sit atop the early Gallagher Premiership table after a stunning 40-36 victory over Heineken Champions Cup opposition in London Irish.

Six try scorers contributed to the victory; Luke Morahan, Will Capon, Ellis Genge and Harry Randall dotting down for four of those in the first half.

Jake Heenan and Max Lahiff added further scores in the second half for the 2019-20 Challenge Cup winners who travel to USAP in the opening round of EPCR fixtures on the weekend of December 9-11

Joy for Worcester

Worcester Warriors romped to a 39-5 victory at home against Newcastle Falcons as two EPCR Challenge Cup contenders collided at Sixways Stadium.

The hosts notched five tries in the contest, Alex Hearle, Duhan van der Merwe, Gareth Simpson, Matt Kvesic and Joe Batley the scorers, with Billy Searle contributing 14 points from the tee.

Newcastle, who open their EPCR campaign with a trip to Connacht Rugby, had a lone George McGuigan try to their name as they fell to their third straight defeat.

Lions pip Ospreys

EPCR competition newcomers Lions secured a 28-27 victory away in the United Rugby Championship against Ospreys at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Gianni Lombard was the star for the South African outfit, who are scheduled to make their EPCR debut against Worcester Warriors in round one, kicking three penalties and two conversions for a 13-point haul in the contest.

Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn and Edwill van der Merwe added the tries for Lions.

USAP top Toulon

In a battle of EPCR Challenge Cup Pool A challenges, USAP came up on top 19-13 at home against RC Toulon in the TOP 14.

Four penalties and a conversion from the boot of Tristan Tedder put USAP on top, Mathieu Acebes the lone try scorer on the afternoon for the hosts. Gaël Dréan contributed a late consolation try for Toulon

Bayonne best Bordeaux

Aviron Bayonne produced a fine performance to overcome Union Bordeaux-Begles 20-15 at Stade Pierre Fabre.

Bayonne notched a pair of tries in the contest, Facundo Bosch and Denis Marchois dotting down within five minutes of each other early in the second half. Bayonne travel to Scarlets in the opening round of EPCR fixtures.

We’ve taken a look at the best of Saturday’s domestic action involving EPCR Challenge Cup clubs, with Bristol Bears topping London Irish in a 76-point thriller.