For Vannes, the defeat is a harsh reminder of the step up in quality required at the European level. While they showed they can compete in bursts, the consistency and physical endurance required to stay in a match for eighty minutes against a seasoned Premiership outfit was lacking. They will return to France to continue their fight for survival in the Top 14, hoping to take the lessons learned from this difficult afternoon in London and apply them to their domestic struggle.
The match officials, led by Ireland’s Peter Martin, oversaw a contest that, while one-sided in the latter stages, was played with high energy and a commitment to attacking rugby. Harlequins’ return to the Challenge Cup after a six-year absence has started in the best possible fashion, reminding the competition of why they are among its most successful ever participants.
Harlequins: Furbank; Isgro, Northmore, Bradley, Murley; Smith, Friday; Hobson, Riley, Streeter, Dun, Treadwell, Petti Pagadizabal, Driscoll, Schmid.
Replacements: Staples, Johnson-Holmes, Delgado, E Williams, Browne, Evans, Porter, T Green.
Sin-bin: Smith (37)
Vannes: Jonas; Bard, Boulier, Tabuavou, Benmegal; Cotormanac’h, Kuruvoli; De Benedittis, Beziat, Medrano, Ployet, Desjeux, Pedemonte, Blanc-Mappaz, Brown.
Replacements: El Bibouji, Djehi, Bourgeois, Stegehuis, Paul, Alania, Gicquel, Taccola.
Sin-bin: Stegenhuis (77)
Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
