Match Centre: Investec Champions Cup: Bordeaux Begles 42-28 Leicester Tigers
Damian Penaud was part of the winning Bordeaux side
©Photo by Henry Browne - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Bordeaux Begles 42-28 Leicester Tigers, Stade Chaban-Delmas
Leicester Tigers faced a tough start to their Investec Champions Cup campaign, falling 42-28 to Union Bordeaux Begles in a thrilling Round 1 encounter in front of over 32,000 fans in France.
Despite dominating the first half, Tigers couldn’t contain Bordeaux’s second-half resurgence but managed to secure a crucial bonus point.
The Tigers came out firing, with Harry Wells scoring the opening try in the sixth minute after crashing over from close range. Bordeaux quickly responded through Pete Samu, with both sides exchanging successful conversions to level the score at 7-7.
Leicester reclaimed the lead in the 15th minute when Josh Bassett powered over in the corner, capitalizing on relentless pressure.
Jamie Shillcock added the conversion, giving the visitors a 14-7 advantage. Bordeaux responded with a well-executed lineout, leading to Guido Petti scoring their second try to tie the game at 14-14 after Matthieu Jalibert’s accurate kick.
Tigers turned down penalty opportunities to pursue another try, a decision that paid off when Côme Joussain crossed the line in the 35th minute. Shillcock’s conversion ensured Leicester led 21-14 at halftime.
The game shifted dramatically in the second half as Bordeaux unleashed a relentless offensive. In just six minutes, they scored three tries, with Louis Bielle-Biarrey bagging a brace and Samu adding his second.
The home side extended their lead in the 65th minute when Nicolas Depoortere crossed the line after exploiting gaps in Leicester’s defense. Jalibert maintained his perfect kicking record, bringing the score to 42-21.
While the win was out of reach, Leicester pushed hard for a fourth try to secure a bonus point. Their persistence paid off as Izaia Perese crossed the line in stoppage time, with Shillcock adding the conversion to maintain his flawless kicking performance.
Leicester will look to bounce back when they host Glasgow Warriors in their next Champions Cup fixture.
Team line up:
Bordeaux Begles: Bielle-Biarrey; Penaud, Depoortere, Moefana, Retiere; Jalibert, Lucu (capt); Poirot, Lamothe, Tameifuna, Petti, Gray, Diaby, Vergnes-Taillefer, Samu.
Reserves: Sa, Boniface, Sadie, Coleman, Swinton, Tatafu, Tapuai, Carbery.
Leicester Tigers: Steward; Bassett, Perese, Kata, Hassell-Collins; Shillcock, Van Poortvliet (capt); Cronin, Clare, Heyes, Wells, Joussain, Liebenberg, Ilione, Cracknell.
Reserves: Theobald-Thomas, Whitcombe, Hurd, Holloway, Hatherell, Whiteley, Woodward, Brown.
