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Leicester crumble in Bordeaux, Ulster shredded in Toulouse

By PA
Bordeaux-Bègles' South African prop Carlu Johann Sadie tackles Leicester' Irish Prop James Cronin during the European Rugby Champions Cup pool 1 match between Union Bordeaux-Begles (UBB) and Leicester Tigers at The Chaban-Delmas Stadium in Bordeaux on December 8, 2024. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP) (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Bordeaux-Begles mounted a second-half fightback to beat Leicester 42-28 in their opening Investec Champions Cup clash at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

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The Tigers had built a seven-point lead by half-time, but the hosts recovered with four tries as France international Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored twice.

Despite resting several players for the European tie, Leicester made a positive start with two tries in the opening 15 minutes through lock Harry Wells and Josh Bassett’s close-range touchdown.

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Bordeaux had replied with a sixth-minute try from forward Pete Samu before Guido Petti went over from a counter-attack to level things up ahead of the half-hour mark.

Frenchman Come Joussain then crafted a try on his Tigers debut to put the English side 21-14 ahead at the break.

Fixture
Investec Champions Cup
Bordeaux
42 - 28
Full-time
Leicester
All Stats and Data

Bourdeaux, though, regrouped during the interval and produced a lightning start to the second half as Bielle-Biarrey scored from his own kick before Samu went over for his second to put the home side in front.

Bielle-Biarrey touched down again between the posts before Nicolas Depoortere ran in a sixth try, with Izaia Perese bundling over late on to at least secure Leicester a bonus point.

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Holders Toulouse made it a French double Pool One as Antoine Dupont’s side swept past Ulster 61-21 at Stade Ernest-Wallon.

The hosts had set the tone when Matthis Lebel went over in the corner inside two minutes before Romain Ntamack barged across from Dupont’s pass.

Ulster responded with a 12th-minute try from James McCormack, but Toulouse soon scored again through lock Emmanuel Meafou before Italy international Ange Capuozzo capped off a fine move and Dupont touched down a fifth try.

Fixture
Investec Champions Cup
Toulouse
61 - 21
Full-time
Ulster
All Stats and Data

Stewart Moore raced clear to get Ulster on the board again, but there was little respite as Meafou’s second try made it 40-14 at the break.

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Santiago Chocobares continued the onslaught in the second half from another flowing attack and Capuozzo went over after collecting a fine kick from Dupont.

Iain Henderson barged over for Ulster’s third try with 13 minutes left before Toulouse completed a comprehensive win with a penalty try from the final action of the match, Thomas Ramos having kicked seven conversions.

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H
Hellhound 19 minutes ago
Springboks' dominance of the world rankings comes under increased threat

There is that yes, but to grow the game, you can't leave those teams down and out. In any sport, if a team loses, no one will be interested and no new talent will join the game. What is the aim? To grow the sport. Will any sport grow if you leave it unattended? What incentive is there for players and countries to play rugby? To spend money on rugby to grow the sport in your country? Especially if you never can compete against the top teams, not even the top 50 teams? There is no money for the players to play the sport as any other job will provide food, but rugby won't. Those players will stay amateur because they have to work a day job, play for their club and then their countries too, which don't pay much as the sport is not big enough. Those athletes leave sport or go to another sport. Chuck them out, dismiss them, give them no crumbs. Yeah, that's a way to grow any sport isn't it? By ignoring them, you think rugby will grow in those countries? They can't afford proper rugby fields, never mind to pay players to be professional athletes. Why would they encourage a sport that is costly to maintain with no incentive? Who runs a business at a loss? Why even bother to try and grow the game is smaller countries? Especially with that attitude of amateur players? Ever stop to think why they are so average? Why they are still amateur? Unlike the bigger nations, they can't afford to pay professional salaries. Those athletes will always stay amateur because they can't afford to make rugby their daily lives. They have to work to survive. They can't improve themselves on a rigorous training schedule like the top stars. The stars have one job. Rugby. They have 2 to 3 jobs, club rugby, national rugby and then their daily grind jobs, all to survive. Your thinking is wrong about this. It isn't enough to just show someone the sport. That isn't growth. It's lazy thinking.

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