Irish walk for the UBB

Since the end of the Rugby World Cup and the return of the internationals, Bordeaux-Bègles seems to have found its cruising speed. The integration into the starting XV of Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lucu as a hinge, as well as the lightning adaptation of Damian Penaud seem to be at the origin of this improvement. The Girondins destroyed Perpignan in the Top 14 (46-22) before bringing home the victory at Oyonnax last weekend (23-29). This Friday, when a much more perilous trip than to the promoted one was looming for the protégés of Yannick Bru, they were entitled to an Irish ride at the Galway Sportsground against Connacht (5-41).

Resisting the first waves from Connacht in the first period, the Bordelais took the advantage through Romain Buros (0-7, 9th). Despite Shamus Hurley-Langton’s response after a quarter of an hour (5-7, 16th), the French generally defended well. The only black spot, the melee, has even gradually been erased. Thanks in particular to its fast offensive game punctuated by races around the ball carrier, the UBB found gaps. The inevitable Damian Penaud planted his first European try in his new jerseyattributing more magnitude to the advance of his formation (5-12, 24th).

Falatea man of the match

Returning from the locker room, the Girondins took the game into their own hands and further concretized their offensives. In legs, Pablo Uberti scored a double (42nd, 78th). Ditto for Romain Buros who did it again in the second half on an offering from Damian Penaud (54th). And at the heart of this second one-sided act, the pack was also collectively rewarded with a penalty try following a phenomenal push in the scrum (67th). From an individual point of view, it was Sipili Falatea who was crowned man of the match. Despite a penalty against him in the scrum, the pillar of the XV of France shone with his radiant activity in attack.

With this river victory and improved to 5 five points (5-41), Bordeaux-Bègles takes the lead in group 1 of the Champions Cup while waiting for the two other matches, including that of Lyon in Bristol this Saturday (kick-off at 9 p.m.). Viimi Vakatawa’s Bears will also be UBB’s next opponents on Saturday December 16.