Union Bordeaux-Bègles Triumphs Over Stade Français, Clinching Top Spot
On Saturday, the Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB) made headlines by decisively defeating Stade Français Paris 46-19 at the Stade Jean-Bouin. This significant victory not only showcased UBB's growing dominance but also propelled them to the top of the Top 14 league standings as they continue to build momentum.
UBB head coach Yannick Bru witnessed his team secure yet another victory, marking their fifth consecutive win and establishing them firmly at the helm of the championship. The match was marked by contrasting fortunes for both sides: UBB put forth an impressive performance, particularly in the second half, whereas Stade Français plunged even lower in the league’s relegation zone.
The visitors opened the match somewhat sluggishly, trailing early as Stade Français seized the initiative with two penalties from Louis Carbonel. Yet, UBB quickly adapted to the fast-paced environment, showcasing resilience, discipline, and strategic prowess. Time and again, UBB seized opportunities, culminating with Adam Coleman crossing the try line, putting the visitors 7-6 up after utilizing advantageous numerical superiority.
Despite the attacking prowess of Stade Français, who continued to pressure with Carbonel, UBB maintained their composure. By the end of the first half, Bordeaux led narrowly at 13-12, marking the beginning of their offensive surge. But as the second half progressed, UBB's dominance became unmistakable. They swiftly capitalized on mistakes by the Parisian side with two consecutive tries: first, the talented Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who darted through the defense after effectively reading the bounce of the ball.
Then it was the turn of Romain Buros, who made his presence felt after returning from injury, scoring another try. This onslaught saw UBB extend their lead to 27-12 barely ten minutes after the restart. Although Paris fought back with Jeremy Ward’s try, hope was fleeting. UBB displayed exceptional efficiency, and Pablo Uberti added another try after taking advantage of another defensive error by Stade Français.
With UBB firmly on the front foot, Ugo Boniface and Bielle-Biarrey rounded off the match, ensuring the visitors secured not only the win but also the bonus point by scoring four tries, making their total six during the match.
Maxime Lucu, captain of UBB, was full of praise for his teammates following the match. He highlighted the importance of their beginning, admitting the early discipline issues they faced. “We had trouble starting the game, but our solidity and defense allowed us to stay close,” Lucu noted. “I believe we were able to turn the tide with our excellent second-half performance.”
The standout player for UBB was undoubtedly Bielle-Biarrey, whose dazzling performance left fans and commentators alike praising his talent. Even Lucu couldn’t help but marvel at his young teammate’s abilities, stating, “What he’s doing right now is stratospheric.” This sentiment captures UBB's current form and the level of optimism surrounding the squad.
Meanwhile, the defeat marked yet another blow to Stade Français, now firmly entrenched near the bottom of the table after their second home loss of the season. Coach Laurent Labit faces rising frustrations and concerns as his team struggles to find form. With Wednesday’s match on the horizon against competitive opponents, the crisis deepens for the Parisian club.
Other matches saw Montpellier assert strength with their own victory over Bayonne, managing to secure bonus points with ease and climbing the table again after three consecutive wins. Likewise, Lyon managed to secure victory against Perpignan, showing signs of recovery after previous setbacks.
The narrative across the league seems increasingly clear: with UBB now at the top position, eyes will be on them as they look forward to their Champions Cup engagement against Exeter—an encounter promising even more drama and excitement.
With their current form and depth shown against Stade Français, UBB is laying down serious markers as they aim to maintain their lead through the remainder of the season. A promising season lies ahead, with challenges just around the corner.