Toulon, Ospreys and Toulouse win Champions Cup openers

Toulon 28 Scarlets 18

Toulon took over at the top of Pool 3 with a hard-fought win over Scarlets at Stade Felix Mayol.

Tries from Matt Giteau, Maxime Mermoz and Steffon Armitage — whose hopes of a move to Bath fell through this week — gave the defending champions a 12th successive win in Europe, but they were denied a bonus point by a stubborn Scarlets display.

Two yellow cards for Rory Pitman and Emyr Phillips cost the visitors the chance of a losing bonus point but Toulon failed to punish the Welsh region with a poor display by their high standards. Scarlets were r

Ospreys opened their Champions Cup campaign in emphatic fashion by posting a bonus point 42-7 victory over outclassed Liberty Stadium visitors Treviso.

Wales outhalf Dan Biggar ran the show, kicking 17 points and orchestrating Ospreys' best attacking moments as full-back Dan Evans touched down twice, while wing Jeff Hassler, scrumhalf Rhys Webb and number eight Dan Baker also scored tries.

Treviso wing Ludovico Nitoglia scored a late consolation try, converted by former Worcester and Wasps outhalf Joe Carlisle, but there was little for the Italians to cheer on another dismal European occasion for them.

It meant the unbeaten Guinness PRO12 leaders took early charge of Pool Five, teeing up nicely next Saturday’s clash against reigning Aviva Premiership champions Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens.

Toulouse won a closely-fought Champions Cup encounter against Montpellier 30-23 at the Stade Ernest-Wallon on Sunday. Tries from Yohan Huget (two) and Jean-Marc Doussain helped to secure victory for Toulouse, who face Bath at the Recreation Ground next Saturday in their second match of the competition.