Bordeaux Overcomes Ulster with 26 Unanswered Points in Champions Cup Clash

Investec Champions Cup – Pool 1 Ulster (19) 19 Tries: Izuchukwu, Timoney, Kok Conversions: Doak 2 Bordeaux (14) 40 Tries: Tatafu, penalty try, Penaud, Petti, Bielle-Biarray, Boniface Conversions: Carbery 2, Garcia 2 Bordeaux secured a decisive victory over Ulster in a compelling Investec Champions Cup pool encounter in Belfast, scoring 26 consecutive points in the second half against the French team. Following a significant defeat by Toulouse in France the previous week, Ulster had established a strong position for a potential comeback, with tries from Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, and Werner Kok giving them a 19-14 lead at halftime. Bordeaux, however, was slow to find its rhythm in a first half marked by yellow cards for Marko Gazzotti, Jefferson Poirot, and Yoram Moefana. Yet, similar to their performance against Leicester last week, the Top 14 team demonstrated their prowess in the second half, executing impressive rugby that Ulster could not counter. After Tevita Tatafu’s early score and a penalty try in the first half, Damian Penaud, Guido Petti, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and Ugo Boniface all scored during a powerful second-half display. This performance earned Bordeaux a bonus-point win and left Ulster without any points after the initial two rounds. With their prospects of reaching the knockout stages diminishing, Ulster is scheduled to play Leicester away and Exeter at home in their final two pool matches in January. While Ulster had been thoroughly outplayed by a superior side in Toulouse, they showed a commendable response to an early setback in this match, narrowly winning a dynamic first half that featured five tries and three yellow cards. Following their nine-try defeat in the south of France, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy opted for an entirely different forward pack and gave Ireland Sevens player Zac Ward his senior debut. Indeed, the return of Ulster’s key players proved beneficial early on, as recalled forwards Izuchukwu and Timoney scored, shifting momentum in Ulster’s favor after Tatafu had given Bordeaux a second-minute lead. First, recent Ireland debutant Izuchukwu scored after Romain Latterade’s line-out throw evaded his teammates, granting Stuart McCloskey possession deep within Bordeaux’s 22-meter line. Ulster squandered two scoring opportunities immediately after their opening try, but Timoney put the home side ahead midway through the first half after Bordeaux flanker Marko Gazzotti was sin-binned. Both defenses appeared vulnerable during a frantic opening 40 minutes, and Bordeaux was the next to capitalize. Despite the absence of clear grounding on Maxime Lucu’s dive over the line, Italian referee Gianluca Gnecchi awarded Bordeaux a penalty try and sent David McCann to the sin-bin for collapsing the maul. To Ulster’s relief, Bordeaux’s disciplinary issues provided an opening for the hosts, with Jefferson Poirot and Yoram Moefana being sin-binned in quick succession. Moefana was considered fortunate to avoid a red card for his high tackle on Timoney. After failing to convert several promising attacks into Bordeaux territory, there was a sense of relief when Kok sprinted into the corner to complete a sweeping move. This try, the South African’s second for the club, gave Ulster the lead at the end of an intense first half. Ulster has now recorded four consecutive losses and has conceded over 100 points in their initial European fixtures. While Ulster had taken the lead, Bordeaux’s formidable back three always posed a threat. All three players contributed to their third try, with Arthur Retiere and Bielle-Biarrey combining to set up prolific France wing Penaud for a score in the corner. From that point, Ulster’s situation deteriorated as Bordeaux significantly extended their lead. Petti secured the bonus-point try following an impressive offload from Penaud. Subsequently, the swift Bielle-Biarrey and Boniface further solidified Bordeaux’s victory, delighting their traveling supporters. For the home team, however, the evening concluded with increasing disappointment, marking their fourth successive defeat across all competitions and another discouraging result against French opposition. Ulster: Lowry; Kok, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Ward; Morgan, Doak; O’Sullivan, Herring, O’Toole; Henderson (capt), Treadwell; Izuchukwu, Timoney, McCann. Replacements: Andrew, Warwick, Wilson, Sheridan, Marcus Rea, Shanahan, Humphreys, Telfer. Sin-bin: McCann (27) Bordeaux: Bielle-Biarrey; Penaud, Depoortere, Moefana, Retiere; Carbery, Lucu (capt); Poirot, Latterrade, Sadie; Petti, Gray; Gazzotti, Swinton, Tatafu. Replacements: Lamothe, Boniface, Tameifuna, Coleman, Ricard, Vergnes-Taillefer, Tapuai, Garcia. Sin-bin: Gazzotti (17), Poirot (31), Moefana (31) Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)