The Union Bordeaux-Bègles opened their Champions Cup campaign with a 36-36 draw against Gloucester at Kingsholm Stadium, battling back from a halftime deficit behind standout performances from England international Zach Willis and stand-in fly-half Maxime Lucu.
Willis Dominates and Lucu Steppins Up at Fly-Half
Zach Willis delivered another influential shift for Bordeaux-Bègles, driving the team forward from number eight during a difficult opening half. Willis beat seven defenders and finished the match with roughly fifteen tackles, alongside crucial steals and lineout contests that kept his side in the contest. With regular fly-half Matthieu Jalibert unavailable, Maxime Lucu shifted from scrum-half to wear the ten jersey and orchestrated the attack with minimal errors. Lucu landed five of six kicks at goal and struck a precise 50-22 kick in the second half, while also providing the decisive break that set up Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s second try.
WHAT AN OPENING GAME!! 😱It ends in a draw… nothing to separate Gloucester Rugby and the 2x champs UBB 😮💨Read more 👉 https://t.co/YZXjBmYgZO#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/stzGwMeMZH
Bielle-Biarrey Marks Centenary with a Brace
Playing his 100th match in all competitions for Bordeaux-Bègles, winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey started quietly before changing the complexion of the match after the break. Given space on the flank, the French international capitalised to score a pair of tries—his 28th and 29th in European competition—that dragged his side level and sparked a late offensive surge.
Scrum Struggles and Disciplinary Costs
Head coach Yannick Bru watched his pack battle heavy pressure from Gloucester throughout the opening forty minutes, where defensive penalties and a faltering scrum left Bordeaux-Bègles chasing the game. The home side’s power advantage told directly when a defensive scrum collapsed on an attacking put-in, allowing Max Llewellyn to crash over for Gloucester. Although Bordeaux-Bègles steadied their platform after the interval, the scrum remained a penalty drain as both sides traded blows in a frantic finale.
Traveling with Two Points
Having trailed at the break and absorbed intense periods of English pressure, Bordeaux-Bègles ultimately secured two away points from a fixture that could easily have swung either way in the dying minutes. The result leaves the French club to build on a chaotic opening round as the pool stage continues.
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