Bordeaux was not the UBB
If we have known the Union Bordeaux Bègles, or more commonly the UBB for several seasons, it has not always been as simple as that in the history of the Girondins. This name only took its form in 2008, thus replacing “theUSBCABBG” (Union Stade Bordeaux-CA Bordeaux Bègles) who herself replaced the CABBG (Bordeaux Bègles Gironde Athletic Club).
Today, Bordeaux can pride itself on being one of the best teams in France, or even in Europe, due to the quality of its squad and its current results. Moreover, UBB will play its first Top 14 final this Friday.
However, at the time when rugby was not yet professional, the CABBG was a feared team and full of international talents and players! In its ranks, well-known faces of French rugby.
We can cite Vincent Moscato and Bernard Laporte among the most famous, but the others Serge Simon, Philippe Gimbert and Marc Sallefranque were also there.
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A historic victory
Although often in the last four, close to the first places throughout the year and holding a candle to the biggest teams in France, Bordeaux has only lifted the Brennus Shield twice.
The first time in 1969 against, once again, Toulouse, then this famous year 1991, 33 years before the meeting which awaits us Friday evening at the Vélodrome de Marseille. For the Moscato gang, the final was played in the capital, at the Parc des Princes!
The Bordelais managed to finish first in pool 3, ahead of clubs like Brive, Perpignan, Colomiers and Montauban. For Toulouse, it was second place behind Béziers.
However, at the end of the round-of-16 round-trip matches, Toulouse got rid of Brive, and Bordeaux got the better of Toulon. In the quarter-final, the red and black eliminated Narbonne, while the CABBG had disposed of Tarbes.
As a symbol, the two teams then both won 13 to 12, against Béziers for Bordeaux and the Racing Club de France for Toulouse. The final then promised to be very hooked !
In Toulouse, big names in French rugby were present for the occasion, such as Jérôme Cazalbou, Hugues Miorin, Philippe Rougé-Thomas, Éric Bonneval and Philippe Carbonneau.
In this match, the two clubs managed to score two tries each, including a double from Cazalbou on the Toulouse side. However, more disciplined and dominant in front, Bordeaux scored two penalties through Sallefranque, it and then the Reigt. In melee, the first line nicknamed “Les Rapetous”, composed of Simon, Moscato and Gimbert had delivered a good game.
In the end, Bordeaux won 19 to 10, and lifted the Brennus at the Parc des Princes. The same year, the CABBG missed out on a double with the Challenge-Yves-du-Manoir by losing to Narbonne 13 to 12, a week after the title of champion of France.
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