European Challenge Cup
Sale, Dragons and Edinburgh cruise to Challenge Cup victories over French opposition
ESPN Staff
January 15, 2016
Danny Cipriani lines up a penalty for Sale Sharks
Danny Cipriani lines up a penalty for Sale Sharks© Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Sale Sharks headlined a night of victories for British sides over French opposition in the Challenge Cup on Friday.

Sale cruised to a 27-3 Pool 2 win over Pau at the Stade du Hameau.

Andrei Ostrikov went over in the first minute for the visitors, before Samuel Marques pulled three points back with a penalty -- but it was to be Pau's only score.

Neville Edwards and Will Addison touched down for Sale before half-time, while Johnny Leota added a fourth shortly before full-time.

Danny Cipriani, who missed out on a spot in Eddie Jones' first England squad, added seven points with his boot in the resounding victory that leaves Pau rock-bottom without any points.

Also in Pool 2, Newport Gwent Dragons went top after seeing off Castres Olympique 31-18 in an action-packed game at Rodney Parade.

Hallam Amos went over for the hosts inside the first minute, converted by Jason Tovey, whose penalty 10 minutes later made it 10-0.

Geoffrey Palis' kicked a penalty for Castres soon after, before converted tries from Nic Cudd and Lewis Evans saw the Dragons peel away.

David Smith and Christophe Samson went over either side of half-time, both converted by Palis, to get the visitors back in the game at 24-18, but Alexandre Bias was shown a red-card in the 57th minute.

The Welsh side took advantage of the extra man to score again through Ashton Hewitt, again converted by Tovey.

Edinburgh also won comfortably, beating Agen 23-0 at Murrayfield.

A Magnus Bradbury try and Greig Tonks' penalty saw the hosts 8-0 up at the break, before Mike Coman, Tonks and Hamish Watson went over in the second half.

The win sees the Scottish side top of Pool 5.

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