Gloucester edge out Biarritz

Olly Barkley inspired Gloucester to a hard-fought 22-10 Heineken Cup triumph over Biarritz in front of the Sky Sports cameras at Kingsholm.

England international Barkley landed four penalties and a conversion of James Simpson-Daniel's 39th-minute try on his European debut for Gloucester.

But Biarritz exposed enough chinks in Gloucester's armour to suggest Pool 6 could go to the wire, especially after Cardiff Blues' demolition of Italian hosts Calvisano earlier on Saturday.

Biarritz, despite a Jean-Baptiste Gobelet try and Julien Peyrelongue's drop-goal and conversion, were unfortunate to come away from the game empty handed.

Gloucester handed Ryan Lamb the number 10 shirt for their biggest game since last season's Guinness Premiership play-off clash against Leicester, while 2006 Heineken Cup runners-up Biarritz included England international flanker Magnus Lund.

Dangerous tackle

Barkley calmed any early nerves, kicking two penalties from distance during the opening eight minutes as Biarritz struggled to cope not only with the home side, but also a blinding setting sun.

Peyrelongue slotted a drop-goal to open Biarritz's account and they sensed another opportunity when Gloucester full-back Olly Morgan was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Damien Traille.

The hosts continued to monopolise possession, yet they ended a tense opening quarter just three points ahead, a situation that did little to appease the majority of their fans.

Barkley completed his penalty hat-trick 11 minutes before the break after Biarritz skipper Jerome Thion was yellow-carded for hands in a ruck.

France international Traille was narrowly wide with a long-range penalty attempt for Biarritz, but Gloucester struck a telling blow on the stroke of half-time.

Warning

Biarritz finally cracked under sustained pressure, with Tindall's floated pass finding Simpson-Daniel who sprinted over unopposed - then added a celebratory dive - to give Gloucester a healthy advantage.

Barkley added the extras, giving Gloucester a 16-3 interval advantage and leaving Biarritz with a mountain to climb.

They struck first after the break though, slicing open Gloucester's defence when centre Romain Cabannes made a slashing break that saw him send Gobelet over.

Peyrelongue converted, flashing warning signals in Gloucester's direction that saw them respond through another Barkley penalty.

It was another nervy European night for Gloucester and the home side denied their French opponents a bonus point as Lamb fired over another penalty late on.