BAYONNE 30 GLOUCESTER 9

GLOUCESTER travelled to the south of France and were on the end of a heavy defeat in a physical battle at Stade Jean Dauger against a talented Bayonne.

Despite leading at half time, it was all the French outfit after the break, scoring all their points in the second period, four tries to Gloucester's none.

Dean Ryan had predicted the fixture would be a step up in intensity for Gloucester and so it proved.

Bayonne were happy to hit anything in sight, whether it be tackles, rucks or mauls, and as Gloucester made changes it was the clear the French outfit, whose season starts next week with a trip to Castre, were going to have the edge.

Two Willie Walker penalties were all the Cherry and Whites had to show for their first half endeavours as the came in six points to the good at half time, against the side who were ninth in the French Top 14 last season.

The second half saw Gloucester go further ahead through another Walker penalty, before the French came into the game.

First a try from back row Jacques Deen closed the gap before a quick brace from French international wing Jean-Baptiste Peyras fired them in front.

A further try from youngster Vincent Inigo added to two penalties and two conversions from Daniel larrechea completed the scoring.

But Ryan said the trip was still useful. "I thought for 50 minutes we were very organised and played within the structure we set out to do.

"A 9-0 lead could and maybe should have been more but we then made two or three silly errors, missed a tackle here and there and our reaction to that was panicky.

"There are never excuses for mistakes whether you're a 19-year-old kid or an experienced international you've got to operate at that level when you play for Gloucester.

"But this is pre-season and we will always try things. We've never moved away from that and it was a good exercise."

Gloucester: (from) O Morgan, C Sharples, M Watkins, M Tindall, L Vainikolo, R Lamb, R Lawson, J Forrester, A Strokosch, P Buxton, M Bortolami, W James, D Young, O Azam, A Dickinson, R McMillan, J Forster, C Nieto, G Thompson, D Williams, G Cooper, W Walker, A Allen, M Foster

Bayonne: (from) Pierre Lafond, Aretz Iguiniz, Rodney Blake, Denis Avril, Julian Fiorini, Arnaud Heguy, David Roumieu, Mikaera Tewhata, Nicolas Lafitte, Robbin Linde, Cedric Bergez, Julien Puricelli, Jean Marmouyet, Remy Martin, Marc Baget, Guillaume Bernad, Jacques Deen. Johnny Howard, Mickael Lopez, Cedric Garcia Manny Edmonds, Daniel larrechea, Vincent Inigo, Thibault Lacroix, Craig Gower, Benjamin Fall, Filimone Bolavucu, Benjamin Lhande, Sam Gerber.