Bordeaux Beat Bath to Set Up Leinster Final in Pulsating Clash
Bordeaux Beat Bath to Set Up Leinster Final in Pulsating Clash
Bordeaux Bègles edge Bath 38-26 on home soil to reach the Champions Cup final against Leinster.
Bath’s quest for European glory began with a shaky start on the Atlantic coast. Barbeary failed to catch the kick-off, and within two minutes Damian Penaud glided through a collision of menace and pace before Gazzotti powered over to put Bordeaux ahead. Two cheeky kicks later helped Bath claw onto the scoreboard as Russell’s cross-field foray and Ben Spencer’s speculative chip to the wing found Muir unmarked for a try.
Bordeaux answered in kind, the home side grinding pressure into a burst as they kicked to the corner and swung the ball wide for Bielle-Biarrey to dive in unopposed, reminding Bath how quickly momentum can swing in European rugby on any given night.
Bath remained in the fight thanks to a Hennessey break from midfield, with Muir then finishing superbly in the corner after Arundell drew defenders aside, showing the visitors’ stubborn resolve.
A moment of controversy flickered as Bordeaux lock Adam Coleman appeared to be carded for a high shot on Barbeary, though the television match official saw no clear head contact.
By the final whistle Bordeaux stood firm, sealing a 38-26 victory to book a final against defending champions Leinster, a meeting that promises to crown a fresh European champion.
