Ulster Rugby faced a challenging encounter against Bordeaux Begles in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday, April 6, 2025. The match, held at Stade Chaban-Delmas, ended in a 43-31 defeat for the Irish province, marking the end of their Champions Cup campaign. Despite the loss, Ulster displayed resilience and determination, scoring five tries throughout the match.
From the outset, it was clear that Bordeaux was not going to make it easy for Ulster. The French side, currently second in France's Top 14, surged to a 21-0 lead within the first 20 minutes, showcasing their attacking prowess. The tone was set early when Bordeaux's star winger, Damian Penaud, darted half the length of the pitch to score just seven minutes into the game, capitalizing on a gap in Ulster's defensive line.
As the match progressed, Ulster found themselves under pressure but managed to respond. They scored two tries through prop Tom O’Toole and number eight Dave McCann, narrowing the gap to 21-14. However, the home side slammed the door shut on Ulster's comeback hopes just before halftime, as Romain Buros scored another try for Bordeaux, leaving the score at 28-14 at the break.
Ulster's head coach, Richie Murphy, had emphasized the importance of starting strong in this knockout match, especially after their previous three games in the United Rugby Championship where they had to recover from early deficits. "We haven't started well in the last three games but we came back into them, which gives us confidence and belief that we are doing a lot of things really well, just not starting well," Lowry had stated prior to the match.
In the second half, Bordeaux continued to assert their dominance, with Maxime Lucu adding a penalty and Maxime Lamothe scoring another try to extend the lead to 35-14. Yet, Ulster was not ready to throw in the towel. Their determination shone through as they mounted another comeback attempt. Nick Timoney scored a brilliant try in the 56th minute, and shortly after, Zac Ward touched down twice, bringing Ulster within striking distance at 35-31.
Despite Ulster's efforts, Bordeaux's Rohan Janse van Rensburg scored the final try of the match, sealing the victory for his team. With this win, Bordeaux advanced to the quarter-finals, where they will face Munster next week.
Ulster's performance, while ultimately falling short, was marked by moments of brilliance and resilience. The team finished with five tries, demonstrating their attacking capability despite the loss. The standout player for Ulster was Jacob Stockdale, who consistently troubled the Bordeaux defense and was involved in several key plays throughout the match.
Richie Murphy's side had shown promise in recent weeks, winning three consecutive matches in March, and their fighting spirit in this match against a formidable opponent bodes well for their upcoming challenges in the United Rugby Championship. Ulster had scraped into the knockout stages of the Champions Cup with a dominant 52-24 victory over Exeter, and while they did not progress further in this tournament, the experience gained from facing one of Europe’s top teams will be invaluable.
As the match concluded, Ulster fans could take pride in their team's performance, knowing that they fought valiantly against a powerful Bordeaux side. Looking ahead, the focus will shift back to the URC, where Ulster aims to build on their recent momentum and secure a playoff spot.
In summary, while the result was disappointing, Ulster's spirited display against Bordeaux in the Investec Champions Cup highlighted their potential and determination to succeed in the remainder of the season.
