France’s newest star rips spirited Leicester Tigers to shreds as Bordeaux-Begles ease to victory
Louis Bielle-Biarrey in action for Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup in 2024.
France’s gifted young flyer Louis Bielle-Biarrey starred as Bordeaux-Begles overcame a half-time deficit to beat a spirited Leicester Tigers 42-28 in the Investec Champions Cup.
The Tigers were excellent in the first half and went 21-14 in front through Harry Wells, Josh Bassett and Come Joussain tries, but UBB were magnificent in the third quarter.
They touched down three times in the 10 minutes after the break, with two of them coming through Bielle-Biarrey, who continued his fine form after an exceptional Autumn Nations Series. Pete Samu also crossed the whitewash to complete his brace, following his first-half effort.
That ended the game as a contest, but there was still time for Nicolas Depoortere and Izaia Perese to touch down as both sides ended with a try bonus-point.
Click here for scorers
Having rested a number of players for this Champions Cup encounter, Leicester knew that their challenge would be significant, but they were excellent in the first half.
Michael Cheika’s men fronted up physically and played with pace, and were rewarded with two tries in the opening quarter.
Although Bordeaux also touched down in that period, the Tigers had shown their intent and it was perfectly demonstrated with the opening try.
The English outfit were still direct, despite their penchant for moving the ball wide, but they were smart as the visitors managed to manipulate the hosts’ defence and get one-on-one carries.
A neat lineout move and good line from Olly Cracknell allowed the number eight to move to within inches of the line and Wells was on hand to cross the whitewash.
That lead did not last for long, however, as Leicester failed to deal with the kick-off and Samu scythed through the defence to touch down.
But Cheika’s outfit were excellent in the opening period and they regained their advantage following another close-range score, this time from Bassett.
Bordeaux are always dangerous, though, and in a see-saw encounter they once again levelled matters when Guido Petti went over.
Following that score, UBB had further chances, particularly from broken field, but it was the away side who went into the break ahead thanks to Joussain.
The hosts went into half-time slightly stunned, evidence by Jalibert’s errant pass straight into touch in the final act of the opening 40 minutes, but they responded superbly in the third quarter.
Leicester had started well but a turnover changed all the momentum. Hanro Liebenberg was so close to breaking through but his knock-on was collected and kicked ahead by UBB.
The lightning Bielle-Biarrey chased and was far too quick for the Tigers’ covering defence as he equalised soon into the second period.
It was the score they needed to spark a three-try blitz in 10 minutes as Samu crossed the whitewash following a Jalibert kick before Bielle-Biarrey came to the fore once again.
France’s electric full-back took advantage of good work from Depoortere as the centre sped down the left and gave Bielle-Biarrey a run-in.
That remarkable passage of play effectively decided the game. To Leicester’s credit, they never stopped trying, with Freddie Steward consistently involved, but Bordeaux’s defence remained resolute.
As a result, their chances were ended when Depoortere scored, but they did get a bonus-point through Perese’s late effort.
The teams
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Arthur Retiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (c), 8 Pete Samu, 7 Bastien Vergnes, 6 Mahamadou Diaby, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: 16 Connor Sa, 17 Ugo Boniface, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Lachie Swinton, 21 Tevita Tatafu, 22 Ben Tapuai, 23 Joey Carbery
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Josh Bassett, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Solomone Kata, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Jamie Shillcock, 9 Jack van Poortvliet (c), 8 Olly Cracknell, 7 Emeka Ilione, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 5 Come Joussain, 4 Harry Wells, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Charlie Clare, 1 James Cronin
Replacements: 16 Finn Theobald-Thomas, 17 James Whitcombe, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Jed Holloway, 20 Kyle Hatherell, 21 Tom Whiteley, 22 Joe Woodward, 23 Mike Brown
Referee: Nika Amashukeli
Assistant Referees: Saba Abulashvilli, Shota Tevzadze
Television Match Official: Brian MacNeice
