The Galway outfit were looking to give their fans something to cheer about after the announcement that Irish lock Mike McCarthy, who will be pushing for a starting role in the 2013 RBS Six Nations opener against Wales, would be leaving to join Leinster next season.

But a first-half try from Iain Balshaw and another from replacement Seremaia Burotu, both converted by Dimitri Yachvili, sealed a 17-0 victory for the French side - revenge for last week’s defeat.

And despite the loss, one Elwood felt could have been a lot closer had his side gone in just three points behind at the break, the 43-year-old still gained some satisfaction from the 22-14 home victory the week before.

"We had prepared all week and we knew the weather was going to be poor, but we didn't know it would deteriorate like that,” said Elwood.

"We knew it was going to be a huge challenge and the conditions did not suit us, but we were in a good space. However, unfortunately if you make mistakes at this level, you get punished.

"When you are playing in conditions like that, it's nearly a disadvantage to have the ball. Our kicking game was not at its best and we got severely punished. We couldn't get the yardage in our kicks and we struggled in that area. It was disappointing that in the kicking battle we lost out."

"I think if we had gone in 3-0 at half-time it could have been different, because we would have had the momentum in the second half with the wind behind us. But that score [Balshaw’s try] gave them the buffer they were looking for."

"We take a lot of satisfaction from last weekend's win. We were looking forward to playing on a nice dry track, it would have been nice, but they are a big team and we are not the biggest.

"It's not our style of play to play into that, and when you have to go toe to toe with the heavyweights, it can be difficult on nights like tonight."