What happened?
Gloucester Rugby put in a performance with plenty of character and determination against a Lyon side littered with internationals.
George Skivington’s team had been hit by injuries going into the game meaning that the Head Coach picked a largely inexperienced side with many players making their European debuts.
15 of the 23 selected were products of the Gloucester Rugby Academy and the Gloucester Rugby youngsters made the most of their opportunity to impress against one of the top French sides who went into this game unbeaten in seven matches.
Xavier Mignot, Noa Nakaitaci, Izack Jon Rodda and Mathieu Bastareaud all got over in the first half for Lyon with further scores from Charlie Ngatai, Cretin and Mignot, who went over twice to complete a hat trick, coming in the second half.
The Lyon side were ruthless in attack, however the young Cherry & White side did not lose faith and continued to fight in for every inch.
Gloucester Rugby showed real promise for moments within the game and Seb Nagle-Taylor stood out as a key performer and scored on his Cherry and White debut.
Gloucester Rugby showed grit and determination to stay in the game but ultimately fell short against a top Lyon side.
Key moment – Seb Nagle-Taylor
The No.8, who is on loan from Hartpury, was one of the standout players for Gloucester Rugby. Nagle-Taylor was physical when carrying the ball and was clever at the breakdown, choosing when to hit rucks with the skill of an experienced international player.
Nagle-Taylor got over for a try in the first half; Seabrook took the ball well from the lineout passing the ball to Gibson who offloaded to the No.8 who bustled over to score.
What’s next?
Gloucester Rugby are back in action next weekend when they host Ulster in Round 2 of the Champions Cup at Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon.
Gloucester Rugby 10m out!
Sharples nearly dots down but he's just pipped to the ball. Gloucester Rugby have the penalty though and will try and get some points in the final few minutes of the game.
The conversion is good.
Dylan Cretin goes over for Lyon.
But the ball has gone forward again. Lyon will have the scrum.
Come on Glaws!
The conversion is good.
Mignot goes over for his third...
Some great work from the Gloucester Rugby youngsters. But some inexperience as well. Gloucester Rugby are penalised at the breakdown.
A great turnover from Lewis Ludlow. Solid work at the breakdown.
Lyon launch an attack from their own 22 and end up socring a try...
Lyon offside. The ball is fired into the Lyon 22 but the French side come away with the ball.
Lyon extend their lead.
The conversion is good.
Lyon get on the scoreboard. A great try from the French side.
Think they've sorted it now. Play resumes with a Lyon lineout.
They've come out with a lot of zip and zap to their attack.
Barton gets us underway!
But the ball has gone forward. A great run from Nagle-Taylor off the back of that scrum.
The ball was unplayable so the Cherry and Whites will have the put in.
A great break from Barton who offloads to Varney. A great link up in attack there.
Trinder makes a semi break but the Lyon defence is too strong.
Morris is lining up a monster kick at goal from around 50m out.
This is looking good. Penalty advantage.
Gloucester Rugby get the penalty and are given an extra 10m as the ball was kicked away.
Barton takes Gloucester Rugby into double figures.
Gloucester Rugby awarded a penalty. The clock is off as a Lyon player gets some treatment and it looks like Barton will line up a kick at goal.
Gloucester Rugby going forward in attack now.
The conversion is good.
Bastareaud goes over from short range.
Good defence from Gloucester Rugby forces the hosts to kick. The Cherry and Whites are now in possession.
The conversion is good.
YES! That looked easy! Great line from Seabrook off the top of the lineout. Gibson then offloads to Nagle-Taylor who goes over to score on his Gloucester Rugby debut.
Conversion is good.
Rodda goes over for another Lyon try. They are finding space in the Gloucester Rugby defence too easily.
It's taken well but Lyon are awarded a penalty at the breakdown. They fire the ball into touch and will have the lineout in the Gloucester Rugby half.
Lyon break through again.
That's incredible defence from Barton there. He won the foot race to the line and stopped a try being scored. π
The conversion is good.
Xavier Mignot gets over for Lyon.
Varney was just offside so we go back for the penalty. Lyon will have the lineout inside the Cherry and White 22.
Morris reads it well and collects the ball. Gloucester Rugby's turn to attack. But the ball goes forward so Gloucester Rugby will have the scrum.
Loann Goujon is off for Colby Fainga'a. Looks like a broken nose...
Good lines from Alex Morgan. Barton looks to find some space with a chip through but we've come back for an injury. The clock is off as a Lyon player gets some treatment.
It's the sun. It's right in Lyon's eyes and they knock it on. Gloucester Rugby have the scrum in the Lyon half.
On the Cherry and White 22. Gloucester Rugby win the ball and Varney puts boot to ball.
They're going through the phases well. Seabrook has turned it over! Varney looking to exit again here.
Great box kick from Varney there to clear the lines. Good start under pressure.
The whistle is blown and we are underway!
Not long now! Let's get ready to cheer the Cherry and Whites on. Come on Glaws!!!
Not long to go now. Just over 10 minutes until kick off.
Here's what George Skivington had to say ahead of the game.
James Hanson spoke to the media about this fixture earlier on in the week. Here's what he had to say... π
"Personally, this is one of the reasons you come up this side of the world; to play against some of the best teams in the top competition in the world."
Hello and welcome to Round 1 of the European Champions Cup! Gloucester Rugby take on Lyon this afternoon and we're set to keep you up to date with all the action from the Matmut Stadium.
Kick off is at 13:00 so you've got just under an hour to get ready to cheer the Cherry and Whites on!