Union Bordeaux-Bègles climbs into the last four. This Sunday, UBB qualified for the Top 14 semi-final thanks to its victory in the play-off against Racing 92 (31-17). In a duel of regulars in the final stages, Yannick Bru’s players took advantage of the numerous mistakes made by the Paris region to establish a slight domination in the first period. Upon returning from the locker room, their remarkable defensive aggressiveness prevented the Ciel et Blanc from ringing out in revolt. The Bordelais will face Stade Français, second in the championship, at Matmut Atlantique to seek a ticket for the final.
Le Garrec, a notable absence
You are missing just one being, and you are eliminated. Already miraculous during the last day with a defensive bonus snatched at the last second, the Racing 92 players had difficulty getting into their match this Sunday and the absence due to injury of their usual playing master Nolann Le Garrec is there for many. Without him, the Ciel et Blanc struggled to establish their game in a rhythmless start. Fortunately for them, the daring Tristan Tedder allowed them to stay in the match thanks to his quality of foot to convert four penalties, including two of more than 50 meters. Furthermore, the absence of Matthieu Jalibert was much less felt on the UBB side, with the good score of young Matéo Garcia at the opening.
The match really got underway after twenty minutes when the Patrouille de France, the nickname of the Bordeaux three-quarter line, allowed Madosh Tambwe to score the first try of the match, on a perfect serve from Romain Buros. If the pace then picked up for both teams, Racing 92 was unable to control its energy by making a series of avoidable mistakes. This indiscipline led to a yellow card for Cameron Woki, and a try from Maxime Lamothe on the following action, confirming the slight Gironde domination in this first period (40th).
Fourth half in a row, a hoped-for first title
Rather recognized for their fiery attack, Yannick Bru’s players stood out above all for their aggressiveness in defense in the second half, to prevent their opponents from getting any chance. Indeed, Stuart Lancaster’s players gradually came out of their match mentally, systematically running into the Bordeaux wall. Opposite, UBB continued to push and captain Maxime Lucu continued his high-level match. It was thanks to his precision with his foot that Romain Buros was able to score Bordeaux’s third try, then almost synonymous with qualification as the domination of the locals was uncontested (52nd).
Max Spring’s try (67th) changed nothing, the UBB played at Chaban-Delmas. From now on, the Bordelo-Béglais will have to face in the semi-final a team from Stade français that they have not defeated this season, but will at least have the advantage of playing almost at home, at Matmut Atlantique.
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