Sseven victories in a row in all competitions. The Bordeaux-Bègles Union continues to ride on its great momentum. By achieving an improved success on the pitch at Stade Français (19-46) on Saturday, the Gironde club even regained 1st place in the Top 14 at Stade Toulousain. Enough to boost confidence a little more, before switching back to the Champions Cup near Exeter (Saturday at 4:15 p.m.).
After three somewhat sluggish performances against Montpellier (9-6), Castres (3-13) and Toulon (21-17), the Bordelais started the year flat out. “We came to Paris to win,” emphasizes Maxime Lucu, proud of the task accomplished. “We continue like this every week with the confidence we have gained and the quality of our work. Confidence allows us to play, to try a little more.”
“Progression is when we are able to continually renew our performances”
“Progressing in a match means nothing,” warned Christophe Laussucq, the coach in charge of defense, before the meeting in Paris. “Progression is when we are able to continually renew our performance.” The UBB is only one victory away from equaling its record series of last year (8 successes between the end of November and mid-January). But this season, it seems even more solid, thanks to the depth of its squad, an emulation that is running at full speed, and an even more conquering state of mind.
Confident in her strengths
Since the start of the 2024-2025 financial year, the Bordelais have collected points everywhere, except in La Rochelle (7th day). On Saturday, they won their fourth away success and signed their second offensive bonus on the road. Sign of a team that never gives up. “We know that we can put everyone in difficulty with the slightest action so we always have this hope, we always keep this confidence of being able to win a match. We know we can do it,” declared second row Cyril Cazeaux. The prestigious success on the field of Toulouse (12-16) at the end of September or the turnaround in Vannes (29-37) in November attest to this.
Unstoppable for two months, the UBB maintains the pace despite the rotations within its workforce. Although fit after a thigh injury, Matthieu Jalibert was preserved on Saturday for the upcoming Champions Cup events. Mahamadou Diaby, Tevita Tatafu, Yoram Moefana, and Damian Penaud were also able to recharge the batteries.
After two improved successes against Leicester (42-28) and Ulster (19-40), the Bordelais will try to qualify for the final stages of the Champions Cup in Exeter on Saturday, with an English team in great difficulty this season (before last in the Premiership, zero points in the European Cup). Before a final day of the group stage against the Sharks on Sunday January 19, with the firm intention of placing themselves in the best position to have home advantage as far as possible in the continental competition.
