Gloucester and Bordeaux Begin Champions Cup Campaign With 36-36 Draw at Kingsholm

Gloucester and Bordeaux Begles opened their Investec Champions Cup campaigns with a 36-36 draw at Kingsholm, a result that keeps the defending champions unbeaten in the competition and leaves the hosts reflecting on a game they might have won. The Gloucester Bordeaux 36-36 Champions Cup draw produced five tries for each side and a finish that swung repeatedly.

First-half scoring exchange

Bordeaux needed less than five minutes to score through Martin Page-Relo, but Gloucester replied with tries from Arthur Clark and Max Llewellyn. Sipili Falatea levelled for Bordeaux after a Tom Willis carry, and Maxime Lucu kicked a penalty from inside his own half to put the visitors ahead. Gloucester full-back George Barton then scored from close range and added a penalty before half-time, giving his side a 24-17 lead at the break. Gloucester’s first-half tries came from scrum pressure, and they had come from behind twice.

Second-half swing and late chances

Bordeaux hit back after the interval. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, quiet in the first half, set up a try for Pablo Uberti before scoring his first. Replacement Will Trenholm then scored two quick tries to put Gloucester 36-29 ahead. Bielle-Biarrey’s second try, converted by Lucu, levelled the match. Both Barton and Lucu finished with four conversions and one penalty.

Gloucester had a late penalty and chose to kick to touch rather than at goal, but lost possession. Bordeaux could not score from a late scrum in Gloucester territory. The draw leaves Pool Three finely balanced after the opening round.

Skivington’s assessment

Gloucester head coach George Skivington said he was proud of his players’ effort and attacking approach, and felt they could have won. He noted that his side gave Bordeaux easy outs in the first half but praised their character after leading, falling behind and retaking the lead. Skivington said the changing room felt they could have won and described the match as a fierce contest.

Tribute to Hyron Andrews

Before kick-off, a moment’s silence was held for Hyron Andrews, the former Sale and Lions lock who died on Friday aged 31 at the Lions’ hotel in South Africa. The Lions will play their Champions Cup fixture on Saturday in his honour, and tributes are planned across the opening round.

Competition context

Bordeaux are seeking a third consecutive Champions Cup title and have not lost in the competition since a quarter-final defeat to Harlequins in April 2024. Gloucester finished bottom of their pool last season but are early leaders in the Premiership. The match was refereed by Gianluca Gnecchi of Italy, with Italian assistants and TMO.