Welsh trio defeated and Ospreys stun as scorelines tell different stories

All four Welsh clubs were in European action this weekend

Here’s everything you need to know about the Welsh clubs’ results in Europe this weekend

• CARDIFF: A second-string Cardiff team was defeated 38-17 by Stade Français in the opening round of the EPCR Challenge Cup in Paris. Despite leading 10-5 at half-time with tries from Iwan Stephens and Matty Young, Cardiff were overwhelmed in the second half. Stade Français’ greater power saw them score six tries in total, blowing the Welsh side away after the break. Cardiff scored a late consolation try through Javan Sebastian.
• SCARLETS: A try from Louis Rees-Zammit proved to be the match-winner as Bristol Bears edged past Scarlets with an agonising 17-16 victory in the opening round of the Champions Cup in Llanelli. Bristol started strongly with two tries from Viliame Mata, building a 12-0 lead. Scarlets fought back, with Gareth Davies scoring their only try and Sam Costelow kicking penalties, but they had two tries disallowed by the TMO. Rees-Zammit’s try on 57 minutes put Bristol back in the lead, which they held onto for the remainder of the closely-fought contest.
• DRAGONS: The Dragons were heavily defeated by French side Perpignan, losing 41-17 in the opening round of the Challenge Cup. Perpignan scored six tries, including a penalty try, to secure their first win of the season. A key moment early on was a 20-minute red card issued to Perpignan’s Duncan Paia’aua for a high tackle. Despite this, the French side built a commanding 17-0 lead by half-time. The Dragons managed to score three tries in the second half through Joe Westwood and Wills Austin (two), but it was not enough to mount a comeback. The loss further extended the Dragons’ winless run.
• OSPREYS: The Ospreys secured a remarkable 24-21 bonus-point victory over Connacht in the European Challenge Cup after overturning a 21-point deficit. The Ospreys had a disastrous first half, conceding three tries to Finlay Bealham, Sean Jansen and Jack Aungier, and finding themselves down 21-0. A late first-half try from Harri Deaves finally put the Ospreys on the board, trailing 21-5 at the break. In the second half, the Ospreys were transformed. Tries from Phil Cokanasiga and Ryan Smith, coupled with dominant scrummaging, brought the score to 21-19. Iestyn Hopkins scored the match-winning bonus-point try in the 75th minute to complete the comeback, with the Ospreys’ defence holding firm in the final minutes to seal the 24-21 win.

READ FULL STORY: Second-string Cardiff team blown away by Stade Francais in second half

READ FULL STORY: Rees-Zammit try condemns Scarlets to agonising Champions Cup defeat

READ FULL STORY: Dragons overpowered by Perpignan as French side score six in first win of the season

READ FULL STORY: Ospreys overturn 21-point deficit to stun Connacht and seal bonus-point win