Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB) pulled off a stunning 40-19 victory against Ulster Rugby on Saturday, solidifying their position at the top of Pool 1 in the Champions Cup. The match, held at the Kingspan Stadium, showcased UBB's resilience and offensive strength, particularly during the second half.
The game started with Bordeaux-Bègles taking the lead early on with a powerful try from Tevita Tatafu just three minutes after kickoff. The try was successfully converted by Joey Carbery, giving UBB a promising start at 7-0. But the tide quickly turned as Ulster responded with two tries from Cormac Izuchukwu and Nick Timoney, showcasing their tactical prowess and physicality. By the 20th minute, they had maneuvered to gain a 14-7 advantage.
Despite getting back on level terms with a penalty try at 14-14, UBB struggled defensively and suffered from a string of indiscipline. Three yellow cards, including one to Marko Gazzotti for persistent infringing, highlighted their struggles as Ulster took the upper hand, ending the first half with another try from Warner Kok. The teams headed to halftime with Ulster leading 19-14.
After the break, UBB displayed an entirely different demeanor. The players, having received some stern talking from coach Yannick Bru, emerged with renewed intensity. "We knew we had to step up our game; we had lost the physical battle initially," Bru remarked post-match. The turning point came around the 61st minute when Damian Penaud, who was pivotal throughout the match, scored following prolonged pressure on Ulster’s line.
With confidence soaring, UBB quickly added three more tries to their tally within the span of 10 minutes. First, Guido Petti scored the bonus-point try at the 68-minute mark, gliding through Ulster's defense aided by another superb pass from Penaud. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, previously silent, then changed the pace dramatically with his own try just three minutes later, before Ugo Boniface capped off the array of scoring with another try as full-time approached.
Overall, UBB's second-half performance was nothing short of explosive. They racked up four tries, showcasing clinical execution and teamwork, and left Ulster to grapple with their second consecutive loss, having previously been defeated by Toulouse.
Maxime Lucu, UBB’s captain, expressed satisfaction after the match, saying, "We had communicated well and executed our plans perfectly. This victory sets us up for the rest of the campaign, and we must maintain this momentum."
The result not only reaffirmed UBB's championship ambitions but also presented them with ten points from their opening two matches, keeping them primed for qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.
The next matches for Bordeaux-Bègles include another away fixture at Castres as they shift focus back to domestic competitions before continuing their European campaign on January 11 against Exeter. The consistency UBB has established early this season is sure to provide them with ample momentum as they aim for both domestic and European success.
