Rotherham may be propping up the Zurich Premiership but they are going great guns in the European Shield.

Even without their influential player-coach Mike Umaga, they achieved what many British clubs have never managed - a win on French soil.

Not only that, but the newcomers to the top flight made their name in France at the first attempt as they beat Perpignan 20-19 to hold on to the top spot in Pool Three.

Their triumph at Stade Aime Giral made it back-to-back wins over French Championship opposition, following their 35-5 win over Grenoble last week.

While Umaga was the hero against Grenoble, scoring 25 points, it was scrum half Dave Scully who took the honours this time with a 10-point haul.

Scully converted the second-half tries by back-row men Ben Wade and Mike Schmid to go with his two first-half penalties as the Yorkshire side came back from a six-point half-time deficit.

London Irish made it a double dose of away-day joy for Premiership clubs as they beat Aurillac 36-19.

That made it two wins in a row in Pool Six, although the two points they gained from their opening day victory were lost through a registration mix-up.

Outside-half Barry Everitt had a field day for the Exiles as he landed five penalties and two conversions for a match tally of 19 points.

Jason Wright, Matt Oliver and Justin Bishop crossed the home line to complete victory.

But there was no such luck in France for Bristol, who became the latest victims of improving La Rochelle.

Skipper Agustin Pichot got Bristol's only try just before half-time.

After nursing one of the worst records in European Shield rugby - seven straight defeats - Neath broke their duck in style as they trounced Connacht 45-0 in Pool Two.

Neath led 30-0 at half-time and cruised through the rest of the game.

Outside half James Brown helped himself to 20 points and there were five tries for the home side.

Sale Sharks proved too strong for Caerphilly in the second half of their Pool Four clash, winning 23-14 after a tight first half ended 9-9.

Caerphilly replacement flanker Chris Brown and Sale winger Steve Hanley were sent to the sin bin for fighting.

Harlequins made it two out of two in Pool Five as they beat last season's quarter-finalists, Ebbw Vale, 18-6 at Eugene Cross Park.

In Pool Eight, Italian side Viadana were outclassed by Bourgoin, going down 29-8, while Mont de Marsan punished Parma 61-15 in Pool Seven.

Hooker Nigel Matthews and England centre Will Greenwood scored their tries.

Former French centre Richard Dourthe was a match winner for Beziers in their 22-3 home win over much-fancied Montferrand in Pool Two.