Biarritz frustrated at Gloucester

8:51am Sunday 12th October 2008

Biarritz were left fuming by Scottish referee Peter Allen's performance as they suffered an opening 22-10 Heineken Cup defeat against Gloucester.

England international Olly Barkley punished the French club's indiscretions, kicking four penalties to give Gloucester a flying start in Pool Six.

But Biarritz coach John Isaac said: "I thought we deserved at least a point from the game. It [the refereeing] was very one-sided. There were things that were blown against us that weren't blown against them."

He added: "Having said that, our discipline was very poor - and there are a few things we need to look at."

Isaac ruled out the possibility of any official complaint against Allen, asking: "What's the point? I don't think it is something we will be looking to do.

"It was a bit of a mystery for us coming here, not knowing how the game was going to be refereed. I don't think there was a lot of explanation on the field."

Barkley, meanwhile, kicked Gloucester to a vital victory at Kingsholm - but there was little to suggest the west country club will mount a major challenge for Cup honours this season.

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

But Gloucester boss Dean Ryan knows there is a lot of work to be done before next Sunday's Millennium Stadium appointment with Cardiff.

Ryan said: "I am really pleased with the result - it was a big step for us. It is an even bigger game for us now against Cardiff next week."

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