First-half flurry helps Bristol beat USAP

Full-back Charles Piutau, No.8 Fitz Harding and centre Joe Jenkins all ventured across the whitewash in a scintillating first half display – fly-half AJ MacGinty adding two conversions from the tee.

A late first-half try from USAP lock Shahn Eru gave the hosts a glimmer of hope heading into the second period, but a stout Bristol defence held out to earn the visitors an opening day victory.

On a bitterly cold evening in Perpignan, Bristol opened the scoring after just two minutes when Piutau powered over from close range after Bristol ran through the phases, MacGinty adding the extras.

The English outfit doubled their try tally with 11 minutes on the clock, some quick hands in front of the posts opened space for Harding to dot down, MacGinty again aiming true from the tee to put Bristol up 14-0.

After dominating territory and possession, Bristol added a third try just after the half hour mark as Jenkins scampered down the right flank to cross over in the corner – again the quick-handedness of the visitors proving fruitful.

A spark for the hosts came in the form of an Eru try on the brink of the interval, the second row powering over on the back of a USAP lineout.

USAP commanded the early stages of the second period, but every time they got close to the Bristol try line they committed either a turnover or a penalty, letting their visitors off the hook on multiple occasions.

The hosts continued to press for a route back into the contest, but every time they neared the opposition posts they were repelled by a sturdy Bristol defence.

USAP travel to Scotland to take on Glasgow Warriors in Round 2 next Friday in the search of a first victory, while Bristol host Italian opposition in the form of Zebre Parma a week on Sunday.