BERNARD JACKMAN’S GRENOBLE recorded a five-try 41-15 win over Pau this afternoon to retain third place in the Top 14.
25-year-old number eight Rory Grice scored a brace for Grenoble, as former Wallaby Peter Kimlin, out-half Jonathan Wisniewski and ex-South Africa international Gio Aplon also dotted down.
21-year-old Irish loosehead Denis Coulson made his third substitute appearance of the season for Jackman’s men, playing 44 minutes off the bench, while former Ulster centre Chris Farrell also finished the game for FCG.
In the defeated Pau side were number eight James Coughlan and openside flanker Paddy Butler, while their former Munster teammate Sean Dougall was used off the bench in the second half.
The result leaves Simon Mannix’s side second from bottom after three rounds, although they could be propping up the table if Toulon – who lost their first two games – win away to Stade Français tomorrow night.
Elsewhere, former Leinster centre Eamonn Sheridan again started in the 12 shirt for Oyonnax as they lost 39-24 to the impressively in-form Clermont. Last season’s losing Champions Cup and Top 14 finalists have opened their campaign with three bonus point wins.
Racing 92, where Ronan O’Gara is part of the coaching team, suffered a disappointing 30-18 defeat on the road against the promoted Agen.
In the Pro D2, former Munster prop Alan Cotter made his debut at tighthead for Aix-en-Provence on Friday in a 28-10 loss away to Tarbes.
There was more bad news for Eddie O’Sullivan‘s Biarritz as they suffered a 20-9 defeat at home to Albi to ensure they have opened their season with three losses in a row.
Jeremy Davidson‘s Aurillac, who started the campaign with two wins in two games, did not play this weekend after their scheduled fixture away to Montauban was postponed due to violent storms in the region.
