Amlin Challenge Cup

Grenoble 20, London Welsh 9

A MUCH changed London Welsh slipped to defeat at a freezing Grenoble tonight, further denting their qualification hopes in Pool 5.

Welsh head coach Lyn Jones initially made 14 changes from their Aviva Premiership victory over London Irish.

That was cut to 13 when Daniel Browne was a late inclusion instead of Alfie To’oala No 8, but it was very much a case of giving squad players a chance.

Jones and his players helped clear the pitch of snow beforehand and referee Andrew McMenemy declared the surface fit for play.

It was 6-6 at half-time after Welsh fly half Alex Davies kicked two penalties and scrum half Clement Dabo did the same for the French side.

Both players missed a further shot at goal before the break, but Davies slotted his third penalty on 47 minutes.

Grenoble then took control to go top of the group.

Hooker Vincent Campo went over on 50 minutes, with Darbo converting.

Davies missed two further penalties before the visitors had scrum half Nick Runciman sin-binned on 74 minutes.

Two minutes later, lock Andrew Farley scored Grenoble’s second try, which fly half James Hart converted.

London Welsh: Arscott, MacKenzie, Lewis, Jewell (Whatling 75), Smith, Davies, Runciman, Bristow (Moss 66), Bateman (Hafu 74), Joly (Tideswell 63), Brown, Corker, Beach, Hills (Mills 66), Browne (Denbee 66). Reps not used: Keyte, Scott.

  • LONDON Irish forward Chris Hala’ufia will no longer be banned following his sending-off against London Welsh at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium.

Hala’ufia was red-carded for a tip tackle on Welsh’s Seb Jewell in Saturday’s Aviva Premiership clash and initially suspended for five weeks.

But Hala’ufia successfully appealed against this and has been named on the bench for tomorrow’s Amlin Challenge Cup match at home to Gloucester.