Anthony Allen celebrated his England call-up with two tries but it was not enough to save Gloucester from the hammer blow of a home defeat to Agen at Kingsholm in Group Two of the Heineken Cup.

Defeat does not mean Dean Ryan's side cannot progress to the knock-out stages, but European life will be very difficult for them after they were caught off guard and off the pace too often.

The visitors made the most of their chances and had the game's most dangerous player in the shape of Fiji star Rupeni Caucaunibuca, whose running skills proved too much for the home defence on too many occasions.

It began well enough for the hosts with fly-half Lamb kicking two early penalties in an opening period in which they dominated territory and possession.

But Gloucester failed to seriously threaten the visitors' line and with an air of complacency about their play, Ryan's side were off the pace when Agen first threatened - and scored.

Caucaunibuca made the hard yards after a poor clearance attempt by Iain Balshaw and the move ended with centre Arnaud Mignardi crashing over.

Lamb added a third penalty after 17 minutes. But three minutes later Agen claimed their second touchdown from a move that began with Lamb gifting the ball to the visitors in an ill-advised counter-attack.

The French side sniffed blood and prop Pieter Van Niekerk thundered over, bundling home hooker Mefin Davies over the line with him in the process.

Fly-half Jerome Miquel made up for his shaky start with the conversion then added a penalty amid grumbles of disapproval from the home fans at Gloucester's lacklustre and predictable approach.

Perhaps spurred on by the knowledge they were not exactly living up to expectations, the home side pepped up their performance levels and after visiting wing Dave Vainqueur was sin-binned in the 34th minute for killing the ball Gloucester claimed their first try.

That fell to to centre Allen, celebrating his England call-up with a typically robust charge at a narrow gap. However, his fellow tyro Lamb failed with the conversion attempt and Agen were ahead 15-14 at the break.

Any hopes Gloucester had of rapidly taking the lead were dashed as number eight Thomas Soucaze ended a terrific move with a try that Miquel converted and Agen claimed their try-scoring bonus point after Caucaunibuca again broke free before sending replacement centre Conrad Stoltz over. Miquel converted.

Allen gave his side hope with a breathtaking dash for his second try, converted by Olly Morgan's 51st minute replacement Willie Walker and another late arrival, Frenchman Olivier Azam, got Gloucester even closer at the end of a forward surge.

Walker failed to convert and at the other end replacement fly-half Francois Gelez dropped the goal that seized victory.