Nick Evans does his best but can’t kick-start Quins

Four Nick Evans penalties could not stop Harlequins losing 16-12 to Bayonne in their opening Amlin Challenge Cup tie which could seriously affect the way the club view the competition.

Quins had been considering resting key players later in the Cup and that now seems even more likely after this set-back in France dealt a blow to their hopes of reaching the knock‑out stages.

Evans kicked all of his points before the break while the hosts' points in the opening period came though a Joe Pietersen try and Benjamin Boyet penalty.

Sam Gerber claimed Bayonne's second try after getting on the end of Boyet's kick which got stuck in a puddle. Quins' captain Chris Robshaw was sin-binned and Cedric Garcia kicked a late penalty to seal victory.

Meanwhile, former London Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani leaves for a new career with Melbourne Rebels tomorrow, having been delayed by visa problems. Cipriani still has England ambitions and said: "Right now I'm not fitting into the [England] coaches' plans so I just want to make sure I can do the best I can and improve myself and make sure I get picked."