"The odds on Bordeaux-Begles successfully defending their Champions Cup crown shortened considerably on a damp, grey Sunday lunchtime in Bristol. Good sides can adapt their game to suit awkward conditions and, for the second weekend in a row, French class outflanked English energy and optimism with a hat-trick of tries from the spectacularly prolific French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The Bears, seeking to play billionaire rugby on a day"
"Even when their side are not quite at their best the sparkling Bielle-Biarrey, along with the artful Matthieu Jalibert, give Bordeaux crucial extra stardust. On this occasion, with Bristol trailing by only five points entering the closing moments, it was Bielle-Biarrey who applied the crucial bonus-point dagger, outsprinting everyone to slither over for the game's clinching score. He had already claimed two"
Bordeaux-Begles adapted to damp, awkward conditions in Bristol to defeat Bristol Bears, driven by Louis Bielle-Biarrey's hat-trick. Bielle-Biarrey scored two first-half tries and the decisive bonus-point try late, outsprinting opponents to clinch the game. Matthieu Jalibert provided creative support and added to Bordeaux's attacking threat. Bristol committed numerous unforced errors as they attempted expansive 'billionaire' rugby and were unable to contain French class. Bordeaux now enjoy knockout fixtures on home soil or nearby Bilbao, enhancing their chances of back-to-back Champions Cup titles. Week-to-week condition swings included Bristol's prior high-altitude match in Johannesburg.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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