Bordeaux-Begles v Munster winners and losers: Damian Penaud breaks record on ‘disastrous’ day for visitors’ lineout
Damian Penaud scored the opening try of the game.
Following an absorbing Investec Champions Cup quarter-final between Bordeaux-Begles and Munster, we pick out our winners and losers from the French outfit’s 47-29 victory at the Stade Chaban-Delmas clash.
Winners
Damian Penaud
He got the ball rolling for Bordeaux-Begles last week against Ulster, and it was more of the same from the France maestro as he gathered a beautiful Matthieu Jalibert kick through to cross on six minutes. That score took him ahead of Chris Ashton for most tries in a Champions Cup season (12) as Penaud was once again a joy to watch.
Matthieu Jalibert
Semi-rested last weekend as he featured from the bench while Joey Carbery impressed in the 10 jersey, but with the former Munster fly-half missing due to injury, Jalibert was front and centre again. Boy did he impress. He feasted on Munster‘s errors and with the threats he has at his disposal, Jalibert was in devastating form throughout.
Maxime Lucu
Like plenty of the Top 14 sides, the heartbeat of their team is the scrum-half and Bordeaux and Lucu are no exception. He wasn’t quite at his best last Sunday, but definitely stepped it up a notch in this quarter-final. Constantly scanning and surveying what was on, he was fired up to drive Bordeaux into the last four of the Champions Cup. His try-saving tackle late on against Thaakir Abrahams was the gloss on his showing as he emptied the tank and was our Player of the Match from the victory.
Pete Samu
Why are Bordeaux letting him go again? The former Wallabies number eight was electric in the opening period and fully deserved his try on 26 minutes. Samu is clearly a fan favourite and will no doubt be sorely missed at the Stade Chaban-Delmas next season. He will of course be eager to sign off with one, if not two, pieces of silverware.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg
In for Ben Tapuai this week and he certainly took his chance with both hands. The hulking centre is an incredible sight when in full flow and he tore through the visitors’ defence on several occasions today. Bordeaux fans will hope it wasn’t an injury that saw him exit the field on 54 minutes and if it was, they will pray that it isn’t serious.
Oli Jager
He’s had a tough spell due to injuries and form and has fallen down the pecking order at international level, but this was a solid performance at scrum time from Jager.
Leinster
It’s no secret that Leinster have arguably the more favourable side of the draw and for the most part today it felt like they are so fortunate not to have to host or travel to France to face Bordeaux, Toulouse or Toulon in the knockout stages. Although, to be honest, in the form Leinster are in at the moment, they should fear absolutely no one.
Thaakir Abrahams
Definitely grew into the game as Munster finally clicked in the closing stages and looks to be a promising signing if they can keep him fit. Very much of the Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse mould and with the scrum hat to boot, Abrahams was lethal in possession and unlucky that Lucu was having one of those days making that tackle.
Losers
Munster lineout
Disastrous. That’s probably the most fitting word to describe the Munster set-piece on Saturday. Singling out players is unfair as collectively it was an awful day at the office. From the calls, throwing inaccuracy and organisation, it was incredibly disjointed on a nightmare outing. A grim review of this set-piece will surely follow on Monday.
Both hookers in red
The execution from Diarmuid Barron and Niall Scannell just was not up to standard today as overthrows were all too frequent from both the hookers. Hooker is an incredibly lonely position when things don’t go well and it must be a tough performance for both Barron and Scannell to swallow. But, as we say, this looks like a collective problem.
Cyril Cazeaux
Two yellow cards made red for Cazeaux today. Bordeaux were leading 29-10 when he rushed out of the defensive line with a clumsy head-on-head tackle on Josh Wycherley. It ultimately cost him 10 minutes and was unnecessary, especially as Munster were keen to find a route back. He would later make a high shot to compound his woes.
Jack Crowley
Not overly disappointing in terms of his individual performance but when Sam Prendergast has a swagger in a Leinster outfit that is purring at the moment, Crowley is always going to be facing an uphill struggle in his fight for the Ireland 10 jersey and British & Irish Lions selection. Craig Casey also had an off day alongside at number nine.
Tom Ahern and Alex Kendellen
Munster were desperate for impact from the bench and unfortunately, Ahern and Kendellen were maybe a tad overeager to stamp their mark on the game. Ahern had just come on when he received a yellow card for offside, which cost his side dearly while Kendellen followed suit later in the match for a cynical offence at the Bordeaux maul.
Peter O’Mahony
Signing off from Munster at the end of the season, O’Mahony was largely quiet as UBB’s forward pack dominated around the field and at the lineout. He was replaced after 49 minutes as Munster desperately needed greater impact in their back-row but unfortunately, as mentioned above, those players did not provide the desired outcome.
