Bath narrowly defeated in Champions Cup semi-final by Bordeaux
Last updated: 03/05/26 17:50
Bath’s hopes of reaching the Champions Cup final were dashed as they fell to a talented Bordeaux side, losing 38-26 at the Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Métropole. The English champions struggled to keep pace with their opponents, who relentlessly capitalized on every opportunity presented to them.
Despite strong performances from winger Will Muir, who scored two tries, and Louis Hennessy, who added another in the closing stages, Bath’s numerous errors ultimately proved costly. Bordeaux’s victory sets them up for a final face-off in Bilbao on May 23, where they will seek to defend their title.
The match began with a delay of 10 minutes to accommodate fans entering the stadium, but for Bath, the start was anything but smooth. They conceded a try just two minutes into the game when Damien Penault exploited a gap in Bath’s defense, paving the way for Marco Gazotti to score early. In response, England scrum-half Ben Spencer orchestrated counterattacks, distributing the ball effectively, including an assist for Muir’s first try.
Bordeaux’s defense continued to threaten Bath, with Louis Vier Bialley scoring in the left corner after a critical lineout drive weakened the opposition’s defense. Bath’s Alfie Barbeary was instrumental in one of the home side’s tries, showcasing teamwork as Henry Arundel executed a clever run that led to Muir’s diving finish.
The frenetic pace of the match showed no signs of waning, as Bordeaux quickly hit back through Maxime Luk, who took advantage of Bath’s fading defensive strength. As the first half wound down, Ruku’s penalty increased Bordeaux’s lead to 24-12. Although Bath appeared to be slipping away from the contest, Hennessy managed to cut the deficit with a determined try just before halftime.
Despite Bath’s efforts, Charlie Ewells received a yellow card for a maul infringement, putting the team at a brief disadvantage. Bordeaux capitalized on this, with prop Ben Tameifuna scoring in the 69th minute and tries from Temo Matiu and Tom Kerr-Smith sealing the final score for Bath.
Dragons narrowly miss upset in Challenge Cup semi-final
The Dragons’ aspirations for a Challenge Cup final berth ended in disappointment as they lost 18-12 to Montpellier. The Top 14 title contenders will advance to face Ulster in the final scheduled for May 22 in Bilbao. The Dragons fought valiantly but fell short during the semi-final at the Septeo Stadium.
Aneurin Owen’s converted try in the 73rd minute provided a glimmer of hope for the Dragons, who are currently positioned near the bottom of the United Rugby Championship standings. However, despite mounting pressure in the second half, they were unable to convert their attacks into the decisive scores needed for an upset victory.
