Holmes scores four as Tigers start campaign with big win

Leicester started their first European Challenge Cup campaign with a comfortable 41-20 win over Pau as Welsh winger Jonah Holmes scored four tries.

Fly-half George Ford, back on club duty following England’s run to the World Cup final in Japan, kicked an early penalty before George Worth went over in the 13th minute and Holmes quickly added a second try.

Pau scrum-half Thibault Daubagna crossed from close range before Holmes made the most of an offload from Ford to break down the right as the home side went into half-time 24-13 ahead. Holmes completed his hat-trick five minutes into the second half, and added a fourth late on. Yesterday’s other Pool 5 game saw

Cardiff Blues run out 38-16 winners at Calvisano to secure a bonus point. Full-back Matthew Morgan collected his own chip behind the home defence to open the scoring after five minutes. The Italians, though, fought back to lead 17-10 but tries from James Botham, Rey Lee-Lo and Harri Millard’s late score wrapped things up.

Elsewhere, Wasps put in a spirited display but went down 40-30 in Pool 3 against Bordeaux-Begles despite tries from Jack Willis, Tom Kruse and Dan Robson. In Pool 4, Premiership leaders

Bristol ran in eight tries to thrash Zebre 59-21, with fly-half Ioan Lloyd recording 22 points on his first start for the club.

In the day’s other Champions Cup game, Leinster – the favourites to win the competition after Saracens’ struggles – got off to a fine start with a 33-19 victory over Benetton. Garry Ringrose was the star with a hat-trick while Johnny Sexton also scored.