Latest news with #MaximeLucu
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Bordeaux Champions Cup victory based on method behind the flair
Bordeaux Begles were crowned the Investec Champions Cup winners after a dominant second half got them over the line. It's great for the competition to have another name on the trophy. Both Bordeaux and Northampton contesting a final meant that other European juggernauts were beaten, which brought excitement to the game. These two teams bring enough excitement on their own merit. They're two of the most free-flowing attacking teams when they get possession and fully deserved their place in the final. What was more surprising is that the second half finished 8-0 to the French side. Despite a frenetic start to the game by Northampton, and a 20-20 first half, Saints failed to score in the second half. Bordeaux average 17 points in the final quarter of games, yet they only scored eight points in the second half. It shows how finals can be different to the game played for most of the year. Pressure builds and the game goes from set-piece to set-piece with many turnovers in between. With the attacking flair and individual brilliance in the Bordeaux team, they haven't been getting the credit they deserve for their tactical awareness and ability to control the game. That's most likely due to the distraction of Matthieu Jalibert's spontaneous decision-making, and the speed of both wingers when they get possession from him. However, they won the game last weekend because of their kicking and rucking tactics. Their kicking certainly increased when they took a two-score lead in the second half. Every team would have done the same. They kicked off first phase and boxed Northampton into areas that made it much more difficult to launch any attack that was worthy of changing the momentum of the game. However, they kicked regularly throughout the game, maybe not always in a structured way, but they still used a strong kicking game to dominate proceedings. "Scrum-half Maxime Lucu was the puppet master of the whole game" Add to that the ruck pressure that they put the English champions under. Not only did it slow the Northampton attacking quality, but Bordeaux turned over many balls from their counter-rucking. It was a clear tactic from early in the game. It's funny that an attacking team can adopt 'negative' tactics in the game and nobody will call them out for it. If you put a different emblem or colour on the jersey, there would have been calls for less kicking. However, even when they could have kept possession in the final two minutes, Jalibert still kicked a cross-field pass to Damian Penaud. They're a class team with a strong identity and they back themselves fully. Still, it's worth recognising the balance of their game. Scrum-half Maxime Lucu (above) was the puppet master of the whole game. He took control in both 22 metre areas. He kicked long and even unorthodox at times from the base of the ruck. They chipped balls from the middle of the 22 in their own half. It was a clear exit strategy because defensive teams so often give up that space in the middle of the pitch, in favour of covering the sidelines and filling the front field to put pressure on their opposition. There were two distinct times when Lucu kicked a run-on wedge-type kick that Jalibert was fully committed to chasing. It's a brave tactic, and one that only a confident and progressive team will uphold during the pressure of a final. Jalibert may get the credit for flashes of brilliance in attack, but Lucu, man of the match, controlled which side of the ruck that the Bordeaux attack would go. He bounced left and right and never allowed the Northampton defence to settle or regain control. The Top 14 side should have won the game twice over with the amount of territory and entries that they had in the Northampton 22. Bernard Jackman shares the story of Louis Bielle-Biarrey's rise #InvestecChampionsCup 📱 Updates - 📺 Watch live - — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 24, 2025 Lucu guided his powerful and explosive forwards over the gain line around the ruck. There were times when you wondered how Northampton were stopping the Bordeaux surge at their line. The fact that they were able to survive the onslaught was a small victory in itself, not that it will mean much at this point. It's helpful to have individuals like Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Penaud. There are others in the pack like Pete Samu and Ben Tameifuna. The Bordeaux back line is star-studded. Yet, they still did basic things unbelievably well to grind out a deserving win throughout the second half of a tight contest. It would be thoughtless not to mention the two Irish contributors to the Champions Cup winners. Noel McNamara has done an excellent job since moving to Bordeaux. He must really be enjoying his time at the club with the talent at his disposal. There can be no excuse for not implementing your ideas when you've a team of highly skilled operators. There's no doubt that gelling and controlling a team with that level of individual flair must be difficult. McNamara (above) has contributed massively to their victory and his stock continues to rise. You'd have to wonder when the next Irish opportunity will open up for him. Joey Carbery didn't make it on the match-day squad for the final, which must be disappointing, no matter the result. However, he has made many positive contributions to this star-studded Bordeaux side across the season. Considering how his career stalled at the back end of his time with Munster, through injury and competition, it's great to see his resurgence. A fit and confident Carbery is a seriously attractive proposition to all the Irish provinces. It's back to domestic rugby from here, as Bordeaux continue to battle in the ultra-competitive Top 14. BKT URC action returns this weekend with more play-off excitement on the cards.
The Independent
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Bordeaux-Begles break Northampton Saints hearts to claim historic Champions Cup win
Northampton Saints suffered Investec Champions Cup final heartache as Bordeaux-Begles claimed an epic 28-20 victory at the Principality Stadium. A pulsating Cardiff contest saw the French club record their first Champions Cup success but Saints gave it everything after losing backs George Furbank and James Ramm to injuries inside the opening five minutes. Seeking a first Champions Cup title for 25 years, Northampton went toe to toe with their opponents as flanker Alex Coles' try double underpinned an outstanding Saints display. Fly-half Fin Smith added two penalties and two conversions, but Bordeaux 's superior finishing power delivered two tries for wing Damian Penaud, while locks Adam Coleman and Cyril Cazeaux also touched down. Matthieu Jalibert booted a penalty and conversion, and captain Maxime Lucu also kicked a penalty as Bordeaux made it five years in a row for French clubs to win the tournament. But Northampton could not have done much more, going the distance and making their opponents work for everything. Saints made a lightning-quick start, going ahead after just 107 seconds as they kept possession from kick-off and Coles crashed over from close range, with Smith adding the extras. That score was tempered, though, by an immediate injury blow when wing Ramm had to be helped off as England international Ollie Sleightholme replaced him for a first club appearance since December. Furbank's exit followed shortly afterwards after he took an accidental knee to his face from Bordeaux full-back Romain Buros, continuing a horrible run for him after playing just 57 minutes of rugby this year because of a broken arm and then aggravating that injury. Tom Litchfield took over from Furbank, and Bordeaux immediately scored an equalising try as Penaud crossed for his 13th try in this season's competition. Bordeaux should have gone ahead in the 15th minute, but Louis Bielle-Biarrey 's pass to Penaud was ruled forward and the disallowed score meant Saints enjoyed a huge let-off. But Bordeaux continued to press, and some magical footwork from Jalibert – which he followed with a superb floated pass – sent Coleman over in the corner, and the fly-half's conversion left Northampton five points behind. Smith quickly cut the gap with a long-range penalty, yet that was soon cancelled out by a Jalibert strike as Bordeaux led 15-10 midway through the second quarter. The French side had flanker Mahamadou Diaby yellow-carded following head on head contact with Saints lock Temo Mayanavanua, and Northampton looked to make their temporary one-man advantage count. A second Smith penalty kept his team firmly in contention, but Saints then saw wing Tommy Freeman receive a yellow card after an aerial challenge, and Penaud pounced for his second try, but Coles then claimed his own double. Smith's conversion made it 20-20 at the interval – a pulsating 40 minutes that produced the most first-half points scored in a Champions Cup final. Henry Pollock had a try disallowed within two minutes of the restart, and Saints briefly went down to 13 players when replacement lock Ed Prowse collected a yellow card, before Lucu's 44th-minute penalty edged Bordeaux back in front. Northampton continued to give it everything, but they could not halt Bordeaux's power game from close range, and Cazeaux went over to open up an eight-point gap. And that proved enough to thwart Northampton's brave bid, with Bordeaux closing out the contest and sparking wild scenes of celebration.
Reuters
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Bordeaux driven to glory by pain of French final drubbing
CARDIFF, May 24 (Reuters) - When the Bordeaux-Begles players and staff trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally tasted glory. Founded via a merger of clubs in 2006 and promoted to the Top 14 in 2011 they lifted their first major trophy in impressive style when they snuffed out the previously potent threat of Northampton to win the European Champions Cup with a 28-20 victory in Cardiff's Principality Stadium. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award - but Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful.' Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. "Maybe we had that extra bit of spirit tonight." Coach Yannick Bru was singing from the same hymn sheet. "We're really proud of them because last season ended in a nightmare," he said. "We felt the pressure of that first trophy coming on and we didn't want it to slip through our fingers." Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall. The English team showed remarkable spirit and fight but injuries, yellow cards and mistakes at key moments conspired against them as they struggled to build a consistent threat. "Bordeaux are deserved champions but we went toe-to-toe and I can't fault my side," said Northampton's director of rugby Phil Dowson, who played in the 2011 final defeat when Saints led Leinster 22-6 at halftime but lost 33-22. "The injuries were frustrating but the guys who came on were outstanding. It is difficult to see now but we must not lose the journey we went on to get here and we will celebrate that."
CNA
24-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Bordeaux driven to glory by pain of French final drubbing
CARDIFF :When the Bordeaux-Begles players and staff trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally tasted glory. Founded via a merger of clubs in 2006 and promoted to the Top 14 in 2011 they lifted their first major trophy in impressive style when they snuffed out the previously potent threat of Northampton to win the European Champions Cup with a 28-20 victory in Cardiff's Principality Stadium. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award - but Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful.' Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. "Maybe we had that extra bit of spirit tonight." Coach Yannick Bru was singing from the same hymn sheet. "We're really proud of them because last season ended in a nightmare," he said. "We felt the pressure of that first trophy coming on and we didn't want it to slip through our fingers." Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall. The English team showed remarkable spirit and fight but injuries, yellow cards and mistakes at key moments conspired against them as they struggled to build a consistent threat. "Bordeaux are deserved champions but we went toe-to-toe and I can't fault my side," said Northampton's director of rugby Phil Dowson, who played in the 2011 final defeat when Saints led Leinster 22-6 at halftime but lost 33-22. "The injuries were frustrating but the guys who came on were outstanding. It is difficult to see now but we must not lose the journey we went on to get here and we will celebrate that."
Associated Press
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Bordeaux wins its first Champions Cup rugby title after subduing Northampton
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Bordeaux-Begles won its first Champions Cup title after holding off Northampton 28-20 in the final at Principality Stadium on Saturday. Bordeaux delivered a French champion for the fifth straight year after dominating the second half from 20-20 at halftime. Two tries for wing Damian Penaud and one for lock Adam Coleman were countered by a pair from Northampton flanker Alex Coles in the most first-half points ever in a final. Coles' tying second converted try just before the interval helped the Saints overcome losing backs George Furbank and James Ramm to injuries in the opening five minutes. Ramm had to be helped off and England international Ollie Sleightholme replaced him for a first club appearance since December. Furbank took an accidental knee to his face from Bordeaux fullback Romain Buros, continuing a horrible run for him after playing just 57 minutes of rugby this year because of a broken arm and then aggravating that injury. Northampton's Henry Pollock had a try disallowed within two minutes of the restart, and Saints briefly went down to 13 players when replacement lock Ed Prowse collected a yellow card. Bordeaux captain Maxime Lucu's 44th-minute penalty edged the French back in front. Bordeaux's superior finishing and power game from close range saw lock Cyril Cazeaux go over in the 55th to open an eight-point gap that held to the end as Saints flagged under pressure. 'We have put in a lot of hard work to get to this point, so to get the reward is unreal,' Coleman told broadcaster Premier Sports.
