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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.
North Wales Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Heartache for Northampton as Bordeaux-Begles secure Champions Cup glory
A pulsating 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. A FIRST STAR ON THE JERSEY ⭐️@UBBrugby win 28-20 to claim the #InvestecChampionsCup 🏆 — Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 24, 2025 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.
The 42
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Bordeaux overcome stubborn Saints to land first Champions Cup title
Northampton Saints 20 Union Bordeaux-Bègles 28 BORDEAUX-BEGLES ARE Champions Cup winners for the first time in their history, holding out to beat a doggedly determined Northampton Saints team in Cardiff. Bordeaux sprinkled the occasion with moments of brilliance as Northampton dug in to deliver a spirited, full-blooded performance. The sides were level after a gripping first half before a tense second period saw the Saints defend with their lives to keep in the contest. However their efforts ultimately came up short, with the English side failing to register a single point in the second period. Damian Penaud scored two first-half tries for Bordeaux, either side of Adam Coleman's try, while Cyril Cazeaux supplied their fourth after the break. Alex Coles was the source of Northampton's two tries, scoring at the start and close of the first half. Penalties from Bordeaux half-backs Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lucu also proved crucial as the French side – led by Irish attack coach Noel McNamara – capped a brilliant Champions Cup campaign with an historic victory. Northampton attacked the game from the off, swarming the Bordeaux 22 and moving the ball with speed and purpose. Within the opening two minutes they had landed the first blow, Coles barging over beside the posts with three defenders hanging off him, Fin Smith adding the conversion. It was a dream start for the Premiership team but adversity soon followed as James Ramm limped off with Ollie Sleightholme sent in as his replacement – coming off the bench to feature for the first time since December. The game rumbled along at a ferocious pace. Bordeaux's first foray into the Northampton end saw them power toward the line before the outstanding Lucu swung a long crossfield in the direction of Penaud, who jumped to compete in the air alongside Northampton's George Furbank. Neither player claimed the ball as they fell to ground, with Bordeaux fullback Romain Buros the next man on the scene. Buros' knee collided with Furbank's head as he chased the loose ball, resulting in a stop in play. Referee Nika Amashukeli saw no foul but the blow resulted in Furbank leaving on a stretcher after a long delay, meaning the Saints had lost two of their starting backs in the opening minutes. George Furbank leaves the pitch on a stretcher. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The incident happened with Bordeaux on penalty advantage, and from the lineout they moved the ball the width of the pitch, with Matthieu Jalibert linking with Buros before Penaud got Bordeaux on the board – his try meaning he'd scored in all eight rounds of this competition. Jalibert's conversion struck the post. Bordeaux continued to look threatening, a knock-on on the deck from Smith inviting the French side to attack again. The scrum was solid and soon Bordeaux were breezing forward, Louis Bielle-Biarrey drifting across to link with Penaud, collecting the return pass to score. The celebrations were short-lived as Bielle-Biarrey's initial pass to his France teammate was clearly forward. Another warning shot, but Northampton survived. A second Bordeaux try felt inevitable and it arrived on 20 minutes, Jalibert dancing across a handful of defenders in the Saints 22 before popping a pass out to Coleman in the five-meter channel, leaving the big lock with a simple finish. Jalibert clipped over the extras to push Bordeaux into a 12-7 lead. Northampton soon cut the deficit as Smith landed a monster kick after Bordeaux had given away a penalty on the floor. Advertisement Bordeaux kept applying pressure, Jalibert doing brilliantly to free his hands before Penaud lost the ball in contact. From the scrum Bordeaux flooded in with numbers and forced another error, allowing Jalibert add his first penalty of the game. On the half hour mark Amashukeli went to the TMO to check a high hit from Bordeaux's Mahamadou Diaby on Saints' lock Temo Mayanavanua, landing on a yellow card for Diaby. Northampton's Alex Mitchell looks on as Louis Bielle-Biarrey kicks ahead. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO Northampton went to the corner and carries from Sleightholme and Coles brought them within striking distance before the ball was turned over, with Bordeaux then immediately doing the same after Penaud had broken free. Saints went again but struggled to find space against 14-man Bordeaux, eventually winning another penalty which allowed Smith size up the posts and cut the lead to just two points. When the game broke loose, Saints were left scrambling. Bielle-Biarrey did brilliantly to win possession in the air and boot the ball down the field. Penaud went after the bouncing ball and was caught in the air by Tommy Freeman, resulting in a yellow card for the Northampton winger. Bordeaux went searching for try number three from the lineout but were initially held out. The French side then moved the ball from left to right and while Jalibert saw a kick through blocked on the ground, the out-half managed to win possession back and send Penaud over for his second. Jalbert's conversion from the sideline drifted wide, but Bordeaux now led by seven with half-time fast approaching. Yet Northampton were hanging in and found a way to strike back with the clock in the red – a brilliant play that saw the ball move through the hands at speed before Coles bagged his second try. Smith's conversion was inch-perfect and somehow, despite those early Saints injury setbacks and all of Bordeaux's pressure, the sides went in level at 20-20. Alex Coles celebrates a try with Alex Mitchell. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Having started and finished the first half strongly, Northampton came flying out of the traps after the restart, Henry Pollock – who had had limited opportunities with ball in hand – breaking through and fending Lucu to score two minutes into the second period. His pulled out a trademark celebration but a TMO review deemed the back row had held back Ben Tameifuna off the ball. Amashukeli was being kept busy and was back with the TMO as Ed Prowse saw yellow for a high hit on Yoram Moefana. Prowse jogged to the sideline as Lucu took over kicking duties to score the first three points of the second half. Bordeaux had the momentum again but Pollock came up with a huge turnover under his own posts to hold the Top 14 side out. It felt like a big moment but Bordeaux quickly forced the ball back into their own hands. A lineout followed and Bordeaux mauled forward, seemingly barreling over. It looked, and should, have been a try, but the replays showed the ball was lost as hooker Maxime Lamothe shoved his way over. The decision was no try, but a penalty for a leg lift by Northampton hooker Curtis Langdon. Back at the lineout, Bordeaux went to maul again but Tom Lockett produced a big intervention to turn the ball over – the latest in a series of massive Northampton defensive plays. Bordeaux appeared to be wilting but sparked back into life, and on 55 minutes they finally broke the Saints' resistance again – Cazeaux forcing a way through from close range, with Lucu's conversion just shaving the post as it sailed wide. Bordeaux's Cyril Cazeaux tackled by Northampton's Henry Pollock. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO The game was strictly being played in the Northampton half now but Bordeaux were being made work hard for everything. Entering the final quarter another Bordeaux maul drove toward the tryline but again, Saints managed to hold firm. The scrum provided Bordeaux with a second chance but Saints prop Emmanuel Iyogun won the scrum penalty under serious pressure. With less than 15 to play, Saints finally moved back into the Bordeaux 22 after winning a penalty for a collision in the air. The lineout was good and Sleightholme earned yards with a hard carry, but Bordeaux were patient in defence and won the ball back under their posts. They then turned defence into attack as Bielle-Biarrey went scampering after his own kick downfield, but Litchfield did well to get back and scoop up the ball. On 72 minutes Alex Mitchell was subject to a TMO review for catching Penaud's arm in the air – no card, but another Bordeaux penalty. They went to the corner, but Coles managed to get a hand to the ball in the air and force a knock-on. Northampton's defensive efforts couldn't be faulted, but their failure to score across the second 40 proved costly as Bordeaux celebrated a landmark day in the club's history. Northampton scorers: Tries – Coles (2) Conversions – Smith [2/2] Penalty – Smith [1/1] Bordeaux scorers: Tries – Penaud (2), Coleman, Cazeaux Conversions – Jalibert [1/3], Lucu [0/1] Penalties – Jalibert [1/1], Lucu [1/1] NORTHAMPTON SAINTS: George Furbank (Tom Litchfield, 6); Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall (capt), Rory Hutchinson, James Ramm (Ollie Sleightholme, 3); Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Emmanuel Iyogun (Tarek Haffar, 66), Curtis Langdon (Craig Wright, 61-73), Trevor Davison (Elliot Millar-Mills, 60); Temo Mayanavanua (Ed Prowse, 29), Tom Lockett (Angus Scott-Young, 61); Alex Coles, Josh Kemeny, Henry Pollock. Yellow cards: Freeman 35, Ed Prowse 44 BORDEAUX-BEGLES: Romain Buros (Arthur Retiere, 20); Damian Penaud, Nicolas Depoortere, Yoram Moefana (Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 73), Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu (capt); Jefferson Poirot (Ugo Boniface, 59), Maxime Lamothe (Connor Sa, 62), Sipili Falatea (Ben Tameifuna, HT); Adam Coleman (Pierre Bochaton, 50), Cyril Cazeaux; Mahamadou Diaby (Marko Gazzotti, HT), Guido Petti, Pete Samu (Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 67). Yellow card: Diaby 29 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jalibert guides Bordeaux-Begles to maiden Champions Cup
Fly-half Matthieu Jalibert inspired Bordeaux-Begles to a thrilling 28-20 victory over Northampton on Saturday to win the Champions Cup for the first time at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium. Jalibert, 26, was pivotal in three of the French club's four tries before lock Cyril Cazeaux's crucial second-half score sealed a historic success. Northampton's hopes of a second Champions Cup crown were severely damaged as they suffered three key injuries in the opening half an hour including to full-back George Furbank. Pre-match, their director of rugby Phil Dowson was forced to move flanker Henry Pollock to No 8 to cover the injured Juarno Augustus as they eyed making up for defeat in the final to Leinster in 2011 at the same stadium. Dowson also started four players, including lock Temo Mayanavanua, who were fitness doubts coming into the decider. Bordeaux-Begles head coach Yannick Bru was able to start superstar winger Damian Penaud after the tournament's top try scorer this term recovered from an ankle injury suffered in the semi-final win over Toulouse. The English club fired out of the blocks with a similar tempo to their surprise last four win over four-time winners Leinster and led 7-0 after just three minutes. Flanker Alex Coles crashed over and fly-half Fin Smith, one of four British and Irish Lions squad members on show, slotted the simple conversion with the majority of the crowd being Saints fans in full voice. The rip-roaring start slowed down briefly as Saints' Furbank was carried off the field on a stretcher after an in-air collision with Penaud on two minutes after winger James Ramm had left the field with a leg issue. When play resumed the French outfit cut the deficit to two points as Penaud strolled over but Smith's opposite number Jalibert failed with the conversion. - Quiet Pollock - After a rip-roaring first half the teams were level 20-20 as lock Adam Coleman scored and Penaud his second before Coles claimed a double of his own with the clock in the red. Jalibert's influence was highlighted in the build-up to Coleman's try with a perfectly-timed turnover and his assist for Penaud's later touchdown. Both sides spent spells of the opening 40 down a man as Bordeaux-Begles lost Mahamadou Diaby to the sin bin for a high tackle Saints lock Temo Mayanavanua, who followed Furbank and Ramm of the field. Ollie Sleightholme was yellow carded for Northampton, who were denied the chance to retake the lead two minutes after the break as a previously quiet Pollock had his effort chalked off for obstruction. Just five minutes into the second-half Saints were shown another yellow card as Mayanavanua's replacement Ed Prowse was binned for a high tackle on centre Yoram Moefana. Jalibert kicked Bordeaux-Begles into 23-20 lead from the following penalty with Bru's outfit pressuring the Saints' line. The extra man finally paid off just before the hour mark as Coleman's second-row partner Cazeaux powered through to make it 28-20 and secure the title. iwd/nr
The Journal
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Bordeaux overcome stubborn Saints to land first Champions Cup title
The 42 Northampton Saints 20 Union Bordeaux-Bègles 28 BORDEAUX-BEGLES ARE Champions Cup winners for the first time in their history, holding out to beat a doggedly determined Northampton Saints team in Cardiff. Bordeaux sprinkled the occasion with moments of brilliance as Northampton dug in to deliver a spirited, full-blooded performance. The sides were level after a gripping first half before a tense second period saw the Saints defend with their lives to keep in the contest. However their efforts ultimately came up short, with the English side failing to register a single point in the second period. Damian Penaud scored two first-half tries for Bordeaux, either side of Adam Coleman's try, while Cyril Cazeaux supplied their fourth after the break. Alex Coles was the source of Northampton's two tries, scoring at the start and close of the first half. Penalties from Bordeaux half-backs Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lucu also proved crucial as the French side – led by Irish attack coach Noel McNamara – capped a brilliant Champions Cup campaign with an historic victory. Northampton attacked the game from the off, swarming the Bordeaux 22 and moving the ball with speed and purpose. Within the opening two minutes they had landed the first blow, Coles barging over beside the posts with three defenders hanging off him, Fin Smith adding the conversion. It was a dream start for the Premiership team but adversity soon followed as James Ramm limped off with Ollie Sleightholme sent in as his replacement – coming off the bench to feature for the first time since December. The game rumbled along at a ferocious pace. Bordeaux's first foray into the Northampton end saw them power toward the line before the outstanding Lucu swung a long crossfield in the direction of Penaud, who jumped to compete in the air alongside Northampton's George Furbank. Neither player claimed the ball as they fell to ground, with Bordeaux fullback Romain Buros the next man on the scene. Buros' knee collided with Furbank's head as he chased the loose ball, resulting in a stop in play. Referee Nika Amashukeli saw no foul but the blow resulted in Furbank leaving on a stretcher after a long delay, meaning the Saints had lost two of their starting backs in the opening minutes. George Furbank leaves the pitch on a stretcher. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The incident happened with Bordeaux on penalty advantage, and from the lineout they moved the ball the width of the pitch, with Matthieu Jalibert linking with Buros before Penaud got Bordeaux on the board – his try meaning he'd scored in all eight rounds of this competition. Jalibert's conversion struck the post. Bordeaux continued to look threatening, a knock-on on the deck from Smith inviting the French side to attack again. The scrum was solid and soon Bordeaux were breezing forward, Louis Bielle-Biarrey drifting across to link with Penaud, collecting the return pass to score. The celebrations were short-lived as Bielle-Biarrey's initial pass to his France teammate was clearly forward. Another warning shot, but Northampton survived. A second Bordeaux try felt inevitable and it arrived on 20 minutes, Jalibert dancing across a handful of defenders in the Saints 22 before popping a pass out to Coleman in the five-meter channel, leaving the big lock with a simple finish. Jalibert clipped over the extras to push Bordeaux into a 12-7 lead. Northampton soon cut the deficit as Smith landed a monster kick after Bordeaux had given away a penalty on the floor. Bordeaux kept applying pressure, Jalibert doing brilliantly to free his hands before Penaud lost the ball in contact. From the scrum Bordeaux flooded in with numbers and forced another error, allowing Jalibert add his first penalty of the game. On the half hour mark Amashukeli went to the TMO to check a high hit from Bordeaux's Mahamadou Diaby on Saints' lock Temo Mayanavanua, landing on a yellow card for Diaby. Northampton's Alex Mitchell looks on as Louis Bielle-Biarrey kicks ahead. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO Northampton went to the corner and carries from Sleightholme and Coles brought them within striking distance before the ball was turned over, with Bordeaux then immediately doing the same after Penaud had broken free. Saints went again but struggled to find space against 14-man Bordeaux, eventually winning another penalty which allowed Smith size up the posts and cut the lead to just two points. When the game broke loose, Saints were left scrambling. Bielle-Biarrey did brilliantly to win possession in the air and boot the ball down the field. Penaud went after the bouncing ball and was caught in the air by Tommy Freeman, resulting in a yellow card for the Northampton winger. Bordeaux went searching for try number three from the lineout but were initially held out. The French side then moved the ball from left to right and while Jalibert saw a kick through blocked on the ground, the out-half managed to win possession back and send Penaud over for his second. Jalbert's conversion from the sideline drifted wide, but Bordeaux now led by seven with half-time fast approaching. Yet Northampton were hanging in and found a way to strike back with the clock in the red – a brilliant play that saw the ball move through the hands at speed before Coles bagged his second try. Smith's conversion was inch-perfect and somehow, despite those early Saints injury setbacks and all of Bordeaux's pressure, the sides went in level at 20-20. Advertisement Alex Coles celebrates a try with Alex Mitchell. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Having started and finished the first half strongly, Northampton came flying out of the traps after the restart, Henry Pollock – who had had limited opportunities with ball in hand – breaking through and fending Lucu to score two minutes into the second period. His pulled out a trademark celebration but a TMO review deemed the back row had held back Ben Tameifuna off the ball. Amashukeli was being kept busy and was back with the TMO as Ed Prowse saw yellow for a high hit on Yoram Moefana. Prowse jogged to the sideline as Lucu took over kicking duties to score the first three points of the second half. Bordeaux had the momentum again but Pollock came up with a huge turnover under his own posts to hold the Top 14 side out. It felt like a big moment but Bordeaux quickly forced the ball back into their own hands. A lineout followed and Bordeaux mauled forward, seemingly barreling over. It looked, and should, have been a try, but the replays showed the ball was lost as hooker Maxime Lamothe shoved his way over. The decision was no try, but a penalty for a leg lift by Northampton hooker Curtis Langdon. Back at the lineout, Bordeaux went to maul again but Tom Lockett produced a big intervention to turn the ball over – the latest in a series of massive Northampton defensive plays. Bordeaux appeared to be wilting but sparked back into life, and on 55 minutes they finally broke the Saints' resistance again – Cazeaux forcing a way through from close range, with Lucu's conversion just shaving the post as it sailed wide. Bordeaux's Cyril Cazeaux tackled by Northampton's Henry Pollock. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO The game was strictly being played in the Northampton half now but Bordeaux were being made work hard for everything. Entering the final quarter another Bordeaux maul drove toward the tryline but again, Saints managed to hold firm. The scrum provided Bordeaux with a second chance but Saints prop Emmanuel Iyogun won the scrum penalty under serious pressure. With less than 15 to play, Saints finally moved back into the Bordeaux 22 after winning a penalty for a collision in the air. The lineout was good and Sleightholme earned yards with a hard carry, but Bordeaux were patient in defence and won the ball back under their posts. They then turned defence into attack as Bielle-Biarrey went scampering after his own kick downfield, but Litchfield did well to get back and scoop up the ball. On 72 minutes Alex Mitchell was subject to a TMO review for catching Penaud's arm in the air – no card, but another Bordeaux penalty. They went to the corner, but Coles managed to get a hand to the ball in the air and force a knock-on. Northampton's defensive efforts couldn't be faulted, but their failure to score across the second 40 proved costly as Bordeaux celebrated a landmark day in the club's history. Northampton scorers: Tries – Coles (2) Conversions – Smith [2/2] Penalty – Smith [1/1] Bordeaux scorers: Tries – Penaud (2), Coleman, Cazeaux Conversions – Jalibert [1/3], Lucu [0/1] Penalties – Jalibert [1/1], Lucu [1/1] NORTHAMPTON SAINTS: George Furbank (Tom Litchfield, 6); Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall (capt), Rory Hutchinson, James Ramm (Ollie Sleightholme, 3); Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Emmanuel Iyogun (Tarek Haffar, 66), Curtis Langdon (Craig Wright, 61-73), Trevor Davison (Elliot Millar-Mills, 60); Temo Mayanavanua (Ed Prowse, 29), Tom Lockett (Angus Scott-Young, 61); Alex Coles, Josh Kemeny, Henry Pollock. Yellow cards: Freeman 35, Ed Prowse 44 BORDEAUX-BEGLES: Romain Buros (Arthur Retiere, 20); Damian Penaud, Nicolas Depoortere, Yoram Moefana (Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 73), Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu (capt); Jefferson Poirot (Ugo Boniface, 59), Maxime Lamothe (Connor Sa, 62), Sipili Falatea (Ben Tameifuna, HT ) ; Adam Coleman (Pierre Bochaton, 50), Cyril Cazeaux; Mahamadou Diaby (Marko Gazzotti, HT), Guido Petti, Pete Samu (Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 67). Yellow card: Diaby 29 Referee : Nika Amashukeli (GEO) Written by Ciarán Kennedy and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
