Bordeaux Bègles Clinch Top Seed With Dramatic Win Over Bristol

As the rain fell steadily over Ashton Gate, anticipation reached fever pitch for a showdown that would decide Pool 4 supremacy in the Investec Champions Cup. On Sunday, January 18, 2026, Bristol Bears welcomed Union Bordeaux-Bègles for a group-stage finale that promised fireworks—and delivered in spades. Both teams entered the contest undefeated, each boasting a perfect three-from-three record in pool play. The stakes? Nothing less than the coveted No. 1 seed for the knockout rounds, home-field advantage deep into the playoffs, and a psychological edge heading into April’s high-pressure clashes.

For Bristol, the match was a homecoming of sorts after their wild 61-49 win over the Bulls in South Africa just a week prior. Pat Lam’s men had shown attacking flair and resilience, but Bordeaux arrived with their own credentials, fresh off a commanding 50-28 victory over Northampton Saints. The French side, reigning Champions Cup holders, had their sights set on back-to-back glory and a chance to keep their playoff journey at Stade Chaban-Delmas until the final in Bilbao.

The opening exchanges were as tense as expected, but it was Bristol who drew first blood. Just ten minutes in, Gabriel Oghre, aided by a quick-thinking tap penalty from Harry Randall and a well-timed push from Ellis Genge, powered over for the first try. The home crowd erupted, sensing an early momentum swing. But Bordeaux, undaunted by the damp and slippery conditions that led to a host of handling errors, responded almost immediately. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, the French wing sensation, leveled the scores with a clinical finish that showcased his trademark speed and anticipation.

As the half progressed, Bordeaux began to assert their authority. Their attack, orchestrated by fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, was both direct and inventive. Nicolas Depoortère crossed for the visitors’ third try of the half, and Jalibert’s conversion stretched the lead to 17-5 at the break. The Bears, hampered by the worsening rain, saw several promising attacks falter due to dropped balls and miscommunication. To make matters worse, fly-half Tom Jordan suffered a facial injury and was forced off, replaced by the young Sam Worsley in what would be a trial by fire.

Despite the deficit, Bristol refused to go quietly. The second half saw renewed energy from the hosts, with their big carriers—Ellis Genge and Fitz Harding—leading the charge. The Bears’ persistence paid off when Benhard Janse van Rensburg muscled over the try line, dragging defenders with him and narrowing the gap. Worsley coolly added the extras, and then slotted a penalty to bring Bristol within five points as the clock ticked down. Was an upset brewing?

The drama intensified in the final minutes. Bordeaux, needing a bonus point to guarantee the top seed, opted for a penalty kick in the 78th minute instead of chasing a fourth try. Jalibert, usually reliable, pushed his attempt wide. Suddenly, Bristol had a sliver of hope and the ball in hand. But the pressure proved too much. A mishandled kickoff gifted possession back to Bordeaux, and with the Bears scrambling, Bielle-Biarrey pounced on a loose ball to complete his hat-trick. Jalibert made no mistake with the conversion this time, sealing a 27-15 victory and the bonus point that would send Bordeaux into the Round of 16 atop the standings.

"It was a tough game in tough conditions, but we stuck to our plan," said Bordeaux’s Bielle-Biarrey, who was named official player of the match after his three-try performance. The young winger’s pace and poise under pressure were instrumental, particularly as the Bears pressed hard late on. According to FloRugby, "one of the sport’s biggest stars, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, scooped the ball up and broke away for the bonus-point, clinching try in the 79th minute."

For Bristol, there was disappointment but also pride in their fightback. The team had rallied from a 17-5 halftime deficit and came within a single score of toppling the defending champions. Injuries and the relentless downpour worked against them, but Lam’s men showed the kind of spirit that will serve them well in the knockout rounds, albeit now facing the prospect of playing away from home in the last 16.

With the group stage now in the books, Bordeaux’s victory carries significant implications for the rest of the tournament. Securing the No. 1 seed means they will enjoy home advantage through each playoff round up to the final in Bilbao, Spain, on May 23. Their impressive points difference, built on dominant wins throughout pool play—including a blowout against Scarlets—proved decisive in the tiebreaker for top seed. As the competition now pauses until Easter weekend, fans and teams alike will look ahead to the Round of 16, which kicks off on April 3, followed by quarterfinals on April 10 and semifinals on May 1.

The Investec Champions Cup has once again delivered high drama, individual brilliance, and the kind of unpredictability that makes European rugby so captivating. As for Bordeaux, they’ll be savoring their hard-earned advantage and the knowledge that, thanks to Bielle-Biarrey’s late heroics, their path to Bilbao remains firmly in their own hands. Bristol, meanwhile, will regroup, heal up, and plot their course for a playoff run that still holds plenty of promise—rain or shine.

With the competition now entering its spring hiatus, all eyes turn to April, when the race for the Champions Cup will resume in earnest. Until then, fans can only wait and wonder: who will rise, and who will fall, when the stakes are at their highest?