Gloucester hold Bordeaux to 36-36 Champions Cup draw

Gloucester 36-36 Bordeaux, Kingsholm Stadium

Gloucester Rugby opened their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a thrilling 36-36 draw against defending champions Bordeaux Bègles at Kingsholm.

The Cherry & Whites produced a strong performance against the back-to-back European champions, with both teams scoring five tries. Gloucester led 24-17 at half-time and appeared close to victory after replacement Will Trenholm scored twice, but Bordeaux fought back to secure a draw.

Gloucester Respond To Early Bordeaux Try

Bordeaux made the opening breakthrough when Martin Page-Relo broke down the blindside following a driving maul to score. Maxime Lucu converted to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Gloucester responded quickly. Jac Morgan secured an important turnover inside the Bordeaux 22, allowing the hosts to build pressure before Arthur Clark powered over. George Barton converted to level the scores.

The Cherry & Whites then moved ahead after winning a scrum against the head. Jack Clement carried the ball deep into opposition territory before quick handling and an offload from Seb Atkinson released Max Llewellyn to score. Barton converted to make it 14-7.

Gloucester Lead At Half-Time

Bordeaux hit back through Sipili Falatea, who forced his way over from close range following a move involving Tom Willis. Lucu converted before adding a long-range penalty to put the visitors 17-14 ahead.

Gloucester regained control after earning a series of penalties near the Bordeaux line. Following attempts to score through driving mauls, the hosts moved the ball wide and Barton crossed for their third try.

The full-back converted his own score before adding a penalty to give Gloucester a 24-17 advantage at half-time.

Bordeaux Fight Back After Restart

Bordeaux started the second half strongly and reduced the deficit when Pablo Uberti finished in the corner after the visitors moved the ball wide. The missed conversion left Gloucester narrowly ahead at 24-22.

The visitors then took the lead through Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who finished another attacking move before Lucu converted to make it 29-24.

Gloucester responded after regaining possession inside Bordeaux territory. Charlie Atkinson moved the ball wide, and the hosts worked their way towards the line before replacement Trenholm scored in the corner. Barton's conversion struck the post, leaving the scores level at 29-29.

Trenholm Double Nearly Seals Victory

Gloucester struck again soon afterwards through an excellent attacking move. Seb Atkinson chipped over the defence, regathered the ball and helped create the opportunity for Trenholm to score his second try. Barton converted to restore Gloucester's seven-point lead.

Bordeaux refused to surrender and responded through Bielle-Biarrey. The winger collected an inside pass from Lucu and broke through for his second try, with Lucu converting to level the scores at 36-36.

Both teams searched for a winning score during a frantic finish, but neither could break the deadlock as the sides shared the points in an entertaining Champions Cup opener.