Rugby, Australian Football: Worcester lost in France

Zurich Premiership newboys Worcester were given a rude introduction to European rugby as Brive produced a 40-10 mauling at Parc Municipal des Sports last night.

Worcester took a 14-point lead into the second-leg European Challenge Cup match, but that had vanished after barely 20 minutes.

The home side ran in tries almost at will to take a 25-3 lead at half-time, with Worcester's only points coming from a James Brown penalty goal.

The English club clawed their way back into contention in the second spell with a try to former Springbok Thinus Delport, converted by Cook Islands international Tommy Hayes, but that was the end of the visitors' scoring and their European campaign has ended after only two matches.

Brive winger Julien Laharrague scored 25 of his side's points and they now play one of the two "lucky losers" in the second round of the Cup.

Sportinglife