Bordeaux-Begles v Toulouse winners and losers: Damian Penaud departure a ‘sad sight’ for viewers who enjoy ‘glorious’ Champions Cup weekend
Bordeaux-Begles wing duo Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Following a pulsating Investec Champions Cup semi-final between Bordeaux-Begles and Toulouse, here’s our winners and losers from Sunday’s clash at Matmut Atlantique.
Winners
The viewers
It had a mighty job to match the entertainment that Leinster v Northampton Saints provided yesterday but Bordeaux and Toulouse certainly provided a similar spectacle.
A semi-final played at an incredibly high pace with glorious running rugby, big hits and tries to boot, these two teams put on quite a show for Champions Cup viewers.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey
Now has eight tries in the tournament this season which is stunning on its own but throw in that making it 29 tries in 26 matches this season and it’s just getting silly.
The finish for his first crossing was acrobatic but the second try was even better as he contributed twice in the lead-up before he raced under the posts. What a talent.
The hookers
They might not be France’s number one number two but Maxime Lamothe and Julien Marchand would probably stroll in to many Test sides as their starting hooker.
Both were an absolute nuisance at the breakdown and rugged around the field, with Lamothe in particular impressing every time he plays in Europe and the Top 14.
Matthieu Jalibert
Definitely won his individual battle with Romain Ntamack and it was clear he was fired up for this game as he and Maxime Lucu steered the ship in the right direction.
His running and kicking game were on point and he will be desperate to bottle this performance with such crucial matches just around the corner for this special team.
Pete Samu
Another barnstorming performance from the Wallabies number eight as he looks to sign off from Bordeaux with silverware and he’s now one game away from doing just that.
He grabbed the first try of the semi-final after running a smart support line and was strong thereafter, with Bordeaux’s back-row getting one over their opposite numbers.
Losers
Damian Penaud
What a sad sight to see the great France and Bordeaux entertainer helped from the field by two medical staff on 57 minutes with what looked like an injury to his lower leg.
Penaud has been a shining light for Bordeaux-Begles this season as he has oozed class with every touch and rugby fans will now hope it’s not a serious and long-term issue.
Romain Ntamack
As mentioned he came off second best in his battle with Jalibert and it was clear that missing Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos hurt him from a playmaking viewpoint.
Ntamack never gave up the fight despite his struggles alongside Paul Graou. A watching Dupont was sorely missed for his talents and how he takes the weight off him at 10.
Adam Coleman
The Australia and Tonga international forward had his game cut short after 28 minutes when he got his head in an awkward position whilst attempting to make a tackle.
Coleman never looked like passing a HIA as he walked down the tunnel and so it proved, but the silver lining of today is he has a Champions Cup final to look forward to.
Emmanuel Meafou
The Toulouse man mountain was well contained by Bordeaux as they stopped him at source and harried him all afternoon, thus negating his potential impact in the carry.
Alexandre Roumat
The sight of Roumat being clattered back by Lucu after he attempted to pick from the base summed up a disappointing day at the office for the Toulouse number eight.
