91Èȱ¬

Charlie Sharples scored two tries as Gloucester made it two wins out of two in the Challenge Cup with victory over Bordeaux-Begles.

The 23-year-old wing scored twice in 11 minutes, while Will James and Billy Twelvetrees also went over as the hosts totally dominated the first half.

Twelvetrees added a conversion and a penalty but also missed four attempts at goal.

Gauthier Gibouin scored a last-minute consolation try for the visitors.

Replacement Camille Lopez added the conversion after Federico Nicolas Sanchez had earlier kicked two successful penalties for the visitors.

Former All Black Jimmy Cowan made his debut for Gloucester and set up Twelvetrees for his try.

The hosts, who picked up a bonus-point win, now have nine points from their opening two matches.

One blow for Gloucester came on 52 minutes when centre and former England captain Mike Tindall limped off through injury.

Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Davies told 91Èȱ¬ Gloucestershire:

"We lost our way completely in the second half. I was very disappointed.

"In the first half we showed what we were about and what we can achieve, but we dropped off it.

"We are nowhere near where we need to be yet and there's room for improvement.

"But there's been eight games and we've only lost one, so it's a good return."

Gloucester: Thomas; Sharples, Tindall, Molenaar, Simpson-Daniel; Twelvetrees, Cowan; Murphy, Edmonds, Knight, James, Hamilton (captain), Kalamafoni, Qera, Morgan.

Replacements: Cook for M. Thomas (63), Taylor for Tindall (52), Wood for Murphy (52), Britton for Edmonds (52), Harden for Knight (52), Savage for James (66), Cox for Kalamafoni (42), Robson for Taylor (76).

Sin Bin: James (51).

Bordeaux-Begles: Domvo; Vasuinubu, Brousse, Denetre, Brana; F. Sanchez, Seron; Labbe, Rofes, Boutemane, Navickas, Tisseau, Gibouin, Kitshoff, Larrieu.

Replacements: Le Bourhis for Denetre (73), Lopez for F. Sanchez (67), Serin for Seron (64), Fort for Rofes (67), Poirot for Boutemane (46), Chauveau for Navickas (58). Not Used: Delboulbes, Chalmers.

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy).

Attendance: 9,576