Champions Cup: Brave Bulls suffer narrow defeat at Lyon

It is their first win of the campaign following their dramatic 36-34 loss to Bristol Bears in Round 1.

In contrast, the Bulls came into the match high on confidence following their win at home last weekend against Saracens 27-16, and while a mostly second-string outfit looked for a while like they might return to South Africa with a great win under their belts, it wasn't to be.

The Bulls were quick off the mark at Matmut Stadium de Gerland as scrumhalf Zak Burger put the visitors ahead in the very first minute, with wing Sergeal Petersen scoring just before the half-hour mark, and Chris Smith converting both plus kicking a hat-trick of penalties.

Wing Ethan Dumortier and flanker Pierre-Samuel Pacheco were on the scoresheet for Lyon, with Martin Page-Relo kicking a conversion as it finished 18-12 to the Bulls at the break.

Smith started the second half just as he had the first, kicking his third penalty of the day.

But Lyon closed the gap with centre Alfred Parisien powering down the right to cross the line three minutes later - although Page-Relo failed to convert.

And the hosts went in front after Yanis Charcosset's try on the hour, converted by Paddy Jackson.

Back came the Bulls, however, and after a spell of intense pressure and a swift tap-and-go, Marco van Staden charged down the left and over the line, with Smith adding the extras again.

But Regard put Lyon ahead once and for all four minutes later, left in wide open space on the right, seizing the ball in safe hands, and sprinting over.

The result leaves Pool 2 wide open, with Lyon now second on seven points and the Bulls third on point difference but tied on five points with Saracens and Bristol Bears.

Lyon's Round 3 game will come against Connacht, while January will bring the challenge of Bristol Bears for the Bulls.

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