HEINEKEN CUP: Pool 4 Agen 27 Tries: Nouchi, Lafforgue 2, Hasan Cons: Miquel 2 Pens: Gelez Borders 8 Tries: Turnbull Pens: Morton

The Borders' first foray into the Heineken Cup fray ended in disappointment in France.

Agen were vastly superior in every department, though their victory was tainted with the dismissal of stand-off Jerome Miquel for head-butting Clark Laidlaw.

The visitors were rocked on their heels when Agen surged ahead with their first attack.

Borders suffered the first blow when Pepito Elhorga raced deep into enemy territory to set up a try for lock Samuel Nouchi.

The visitors had defended heroically to stem a wave of raids, but they could find no answer in the wake of a tapped penalty when prop Omar Hasan was shoved over.

Miquel added the straightforward conversion before Luc Lafforgue scuttled over in the corner to claim try number three.

Miquel effortlessly slotted the goal to effectively end the contest before the interval.

Any prospect of a remarkable fightback was snuffed out when Lafforgue completed his double.

Andy Turnbull slid in for an opportunist score at the other end, but the gulf was stretched again when Francois Gelez added a penalty for Agen.

Miquel picked up a four-week suspension for his red card following a hearing by match commissioner Jean-Etienne Bernard after the match.

He will miss Agen's round two away match against Northampton Saints next Saturday but will be free to face Llanelli Scarlets in round three at Stradey Park in January.