En the beginning of the year, the planets are aligned for the Bordeaux-Bègles Union. A week after regaining first place in the Top 14, the Bordelais went for first place in Group 1 of the Champions Cup. After two improved successes against Leicester (42-28) and Ulster (19-40), they added a third at Exeter (17-69) where they signed their eighth victory in a row in all competitions this Saturday. And what a victory! Eleven tries scored, a real offensive festival for their biggest success of the season.
“We have ambitions. It meant a great victory here for a sort of play-off next weekend”
With 15 points taken out of 15 possible in this European campaign, UBB passed Stade Toulousain, who left a point en route in South Africa on the Sharks’ pitch (8-20). He will have to confirm on the last day against Sud-Af’ in Chaban-Delmas (Sunday at 2 p.m.). To gain a home advantage as far as possible in the final stages, she will have to stay in control. “We have ambitions,” recalls Shaun Sowerby, the coach of the Gironde side. It meant a great victory here for a sort of play-off next weekend. We were serious. The work is there, we gain even more confidence. »
Buros leaves injured
In line with its first Champions Cup outings and its last Top 14 at Stade Français (19-46), the Gironde attack once again unfolded and passed the 60 point mark (11 tries) with a hat-trick from Penaud , doubles from Lucu and Bielle-Biarrey… The ten changes made in the XV still do not affect the performance of the UBB. The only downside: the exit of Buros, hit in the ankle, from the 26the minute. “We’re going to cross our fingers, we’re going to hope that it will be operational next week,” said Shaun Sowerby. Another stain of the evening, Taufa’s red card at the end of the match for a high tackle, while the match had been over for a long time (70e).
In an Exeter team struggling in the depths of the English Premiership, UBB did not have to force its talent to take off. At half-time, the offensive bonus was already in their pocket. And this despite numerous inaccuracies and sometimes a little too much disorder or haste. In line with the latest outings, the Gironde pack left its mark on its opponent, like the activity of Boniface, Petti and Cazeaux. The latter was also rewarded with an essay (55e). The Gironde scrum has lost none of its solidity. The lineup got into tune with a very effective Matiu on the counter. And the mauls put the English on the back foot, as in this try by Lamothe just before the break (40e + 3).
Back Festival
In the advance, the Bordelais were able to unfold, and were able to take advantage of spaces as large as the plains of Devon. Behind the breakthroughs of Moefana and Penaud, Lucu came to the interior support each time to score a double (10e31e). The scrum half also activated the detonator, before Penaud went to flatten it in the in-goal (15e). In a fast-paced match, the Girondins played a hand penalty and Bielle-Biarrey in turn took the interval for the bonus try (36e), before extending at the foot as for Penaud’s double (44e). The latter even postponed his hat-trick to offer a try to Jalibert (64e), before making the difference alone (77e). Lesgourgues closed the festival (66e).
Now, Sunday’s meeting against the Sharks will chart the path to spring.
Notes
8/10 Penaud, Bielle-Biarrey, Lucu.
7/10 Moefana, Jalibert, Matiu, Petti, Cazeaux, Boniface.
6/10 Uberti, Van Rensburg, Swinton, Tatafu, Lamothe, Sadie.
Not rated Buros.
