Bordeaux make statement against Connacht
MATCH REPORT: In an action-packed opener to Pool 1 of this season’s Champions Cup, braces from Union Bordeaux-Bègles fullback Romain Buros and wing Pablo Uberti caught the headlines as the French side braved a windy night at The Sportsground to smash Connacht 41-5.
Wing Damian Penaud also went over, while a penalty try took their total tries to six as the French side secured a statement bonus-point win.
Despite dominating the match early on, the Connacht defence collapsed at the first when the TOP14 side finally got hands on the ball, Buros picking up his first try as he finished under the posts following a flowing move which sliced open the Irish province for the game’s first seven points, scrumhalf Maxime Lucu adding the extras.
Connacht were back on top soon after, with their early pressure paying off this time as flank and Champions Cup debutant Shamus Hurley-Langton broke free after a lineout for an unconverted score.
But that would prove to be Connacht’s only points. Union Bordeaux-Bègles turned the screw following their second try, an unconverted score which came courtesy of Penaud following yet another liquid move.
The game’s momentum was now heavily behind Union Bordeaux-Bègles, a fact which was not helped by Mack Hansen departing with an ankle injury, and Connacht were lucky to go in just 5-12 behind.
However, the seven-point margin did not stay in place for long. With more easy line breaks, Union Bordeaux-Bègles cut through the home side with wing Uberti handed his first of two easy finishes early in the second period. Lucu added the extras to put Union Bordeaux-Bègles 19-5 up.
All Connacht’s hope was lost when Buros went over for his second converted try, and soon things only got worse.
Lucu added another three from the tee to put the visitors well out of sight, before a penalty try was given following yet more French pressure. They then capped their performance with a sixth try, Uberti finishing in the corner for his second with replacement Paul Abadie kicking the extras this time.
Connacht Rugby will look to bounce back at Saracens next week in their second game, while Union Bordeaux-Bègles will try to make it two from two against Bristol Bears.
The scorers:
For Connacht:
Try: Hurley-Langton
For Bordeaux Begles:
Tries: Buros 2, Penaud, Uberti 2, Penalty try
Cons: Lucu 2, Abadie
Pens: Lucu
Teams
Connacht: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Cathal Forde, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Andrew Smith, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Seán Jansen, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Darragh Murray, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley.
Replacements: 16 Tadgh McElroy, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Niall Murray, 20 Conor Oliver, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 David Hawkshaw, 23 John Porch.
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoorte, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Pablo Uberti, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Tevita Tatafu, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Pierre Bochaton, 5 Thomas Jolmès, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Clément Maynadier, 1 Ugo Boniface.
Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Alexandre Ricard, 20 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 21 Antoine Miquel, 22 Paul Abadie, 23 Nans Ducuing.
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Joe James (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)
Source: ChampionsCup
