Head coach Lyn Jones was frustrated with the result, as the Exiles paid the price for indiscipline, but he has urged them to produce another fearsome performance in Oxford.

Jones said: "We were disappointed. The players fronted up and showed good character. It was nip and tuck and we didn't take our opportunities and Grenoble capitalised on our yellow cards."

It has been a remarkable year for the Premiership and European new boys and a second victory in the Amlin Challenge Cup will ensure they finish 2012 on a high.

But they will be without a host of players including Gareth Evans, Dan George and Gavin Henson.

However, Grenoble have been deducted four match points and fined €10,000 (euros) following a hearing by an independent Disciplinary Committee as the result of a misconduct complaint brought against the club by ERC.The misconduct complaint was that Grenoble selected an ineligible player.

They have also been hit by injuries and have added Aaron Bancroft and Feliuaki Taukeiaho to their European squad in the place of crocked duo Ronald Cooke and Kevin Goza.

Match Facts

• In their history, Grenoble have just two victories over English opponents in the Amlin Challenge Cup (D1, L6).
• However these two wins for Grenoble have come in their last two games against English sides.
• London Welsh are one of just three sides yet to receive a yellow card in this year's competition.
• Grenoble have made fewer carries (60) and metres (166) per game of any side in this season's tournament.