Latest news with #Bordeaux-Begles'
The Irish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Conor Murray makes surprise cameo appearance at Champions Cup final as fans hail ‘class touch'
CONOR Murray made a surprise appearance at the Champions Cup final to present Damian Penaud with the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy. Penaud was an apt recipient after scoring two tries in Bordeaux-Begles' 28-20 victory over 2 Cian Tracey of the Irish Independent drew attention to the nice moment post-match Credit: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland 2 The French side were the superior side throughout though their opposition were remarkably resilient in defence Credit: Getty The award has been given out as an additional gong to the Champions Cup Player of the Year each year since 2017 when it was created by the EPCR in memory of the Munster legend who France hero Penaud's two took him to 14 in the competition, with Adam Coleman also crossing for the Top 14 side in a first half that ended 20 points apiece. The nice moment between Penaud and Murray was captured by INPHO photographer Billy Strickland and praised by rugby journalist Cian Tracey. He tweeted: "Conor Murray presented European player of the year Damian Penaud with the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy. Nice touch." Read More On Irish Sport Among the replies, JJ Casey hailed it as a "class" moment of the community values rugby prides itself on. In saying that though, there was a bit of friction post-game as Henry Pollock was at the centre of a storm with rival players. The Lion bolter was clearly steaming at some of the French side's antics during a ding-dong decider and tempers spilled over after the final whistle. Bordeaux travelling reserve Tevita Tatafu was seen grabbing the Englishman by the throat and Saints skipper Fraser Dingwall accused them of acting against the spirit of the game. Most read in Rugby Union Pollock's England teammate Fin Smith confirmed: 'They were after him. I don't think they liked him. They all sort of charged at him and tried to get hold of him. 'I'm surprised if you have just won a European Cup and the first thing you want to do is start a fight with a 20-year-old. I felt that was interesting.' Ireland rugby legend Conor Murray and wife Joanna Cooper play VR Back row Pollock had a running battle with the French and Northampton are ready to take things further if officials do not take action. Boss Phil Dowson said: 'There was a fracas at the end, there was foul play involved and I have been assured the touch judge has seen it and will deal with it appropriately. 'Henry was particularly upset because it was uncalled for and out of order and so he reacted. The officials have told me they will deal with it.' Saints' George Furbank ended up on the deck early on after challenging Penaud in the air and then copped a knee on the jaw from Romain Beros as he was getting up. The English side lost him there and then and were then undone by the brilliance of Penaud and fly-half Matthieu Jalibert as the first half wore on. But a pair of tries from Alex Coles at either end of the half meant Saints were right in it and the 20-20 interval score was a points record for that stage of a Champions Cup final. Dowson's men were briefly down to 13 men with yellow cards for Leinster's semi-final tormentor Tommy Freeman and Ed Prowse. But they had two scores disallowed before Cazeaux got the only try of the second half to seal victory and keep the cup in France for a fifth straight year. Bordeaux's win meant a second Champions Cup medal for former Leinster and Munster star Joey Carbery, 29, though he was not involved in the matchday squad. SCORERS — Bordeaux: Tries: Penaud 2, Coleman, Cazeaux; Con: Jalibert; Pens: Jalibert, Lucu. Northampton: Tries: Coles 2; Cons: Smith 2; Pens: Smith 2.
The 42
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
No Carbery for Bordeaux, Saints welcome back Furbank for Champions Cup final
JOEY CARBERY HAS been left out of Bordeaux-Begles' team for tomorrow's Champions Cup final meeting with Northampton Saints in Cardiff [KO 2.45pm, RTÉ/Premier Sports]. The former Leinster and Munster player has not been included in Bordeaux's matchday 23, with the French side selecting a 6/2 bench split. Bordeaux have been able to select Damian Penaud, with the winger recovering from an injury sustained in the semi-final defeat of Toulouse. Advertisement Northampton Saints welcome back George Furbank and Ollie Sleightholme to their matchday 23. Furbank starts at fullback in his first appearance for Saints since April. Otherwise it's a familiar Northampton side, with Director of Rugby Phil Dowson opting for a 5/3 bench split. Curtis Langdon, Temo Mayanavanua, Alex Coles and James Ramm have all been passed fit to start. Sleightholme is set to come off the bench to feature for the first time since December. Sam Graham, George Hendy, and Ulster-bound Juarno Augustus are among the players unavailable for the Premiership side due to injury. Northampton Saints: 15. George Furbank 14. Tommy Freeman 13. Fraser Dingwall (capt) 12. Rory Hutchinson 11. James Ramm 10. Fin Smith 9. Alex Mitchell 1 Emmanuel Iyogun 2 Curtis Langdon 3 Trevor Davison 4 Temo Mayanavanua 5 Tom Lockett 6 Alex Coles 7 Josh Kemeny 8 Henry Pollock Replacements: 16. Craig Wright 17. Tarek Haffar 18. Elliot Millar Mills 19. Ed Prowse 20. Angus Scott-Young 21. Tom James 22. Tom Litchfield 23. Ollie Sleightholme
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Maestro' Jalibert holds keys to Bordeaux-Begles' Champions Cup hopes
Bordeaux-Begles' Matthieu Jalibert made his France debut as a teenager in 2018 with expectations of a big future for the fly-half, for club and country. Since then, he has been restricted to 22 Test starts due to a serious knee injury suffered on his Les Bleus bow and falling behind Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos in Fabien Galthie's pecking order. For Bordeaux-Begles however, he has played a crucial role in taking them to the top table of club rugby, with the culmination being this Saturday's Champions Cup final against Northampton. Their run to the decider in Cardiff included a superb semi-final performance from Jalibert as the club founded in 2006 put six-time champions Toulouse, and Ntamack, to the sword. "He was decisive against Toulouse," Castres head coach Xavier Sadourny told reporters after their loss to Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday. "It's nothing new but you get the impression since the semi-final against Toulouse he's full of confidence. "He also gives off that confidence to his team-mates. "He's a great player, who's there at the important moments, it's priceless." - 'No easy ride' - Despite Jalibert's impressive club form, his relationship with the national team has been fraught since his debut seven years ago. The 26-year-old was the first-choice fly-half during the 2023 Rugby World Cup with Ntamack injured but he has often been overlooked for the No 10 jersey by Galthie since then. Jalibert has come under criticism from supporters for his perceived weak defensive efforts and lack of leadership. He even left the French camp in November, citing mental health issues. "No one gives him an easy ride," Sadourny said. "People are hard on him but he's still here." His only France appearance in this year's Six Nations was a lacklustre performance during the defeat to England. He has been in red-hot form since that loss, scoring 74 points in nine club games. As well as the Toulouse win, the highlight was setting up half-back partner Maxime Lucu for a try and crossing for a sublime solo effort from 40m out against Castres last weekend. His performance led to him being on Monday's cover of specialist rugby newspaper Midi Olympique, who described him as a "maestro". "It's true that he's worked a lot on the aspects of his game that have been criticised," Bordeaux-Begles full-back Romain Buros said on Tuesday. "I don't have the statistics in my head but I don't think he's missed many tackles in recent weeks. "It's good for him and the squad. The fact that he works on things make him confident." Jalibert's ability to orchestrate Bordeaux-Begles' star-studded backline will have a big impact on the final outcome of this weekend's match. He is tasked with getting the best out of speedster wingers Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud as well as Buros, who have contributed a huge 45 tries for Bordeaux-Begles this season. "His performances speak for themselves, seeing he's in a good place mentally and on form," Buros said. "I hope he'll keep showing the standards he's been hitting this weekend." iwd/mw
