Bathtub narrowly missed out on the Champions Cup last after a star-studded Bordeaux aspect beat the English champions 38-26; Dragons additionally fell on the final Problem Cup hurdle with a loss to Montpellier
Final Up to date: 03/05/26 5:50pm
Bordeaux gamers have a good time after profitable the Champions Cup semi-final towards Bathtub
Bathtub got here up towards an impressed Bordeaux as their Investec Champions Cup marketing campaign led to a 38-26 semi-final defeat at Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Metropole.
The English champions have been chasing Bordeaux from the second they leaked an early attempt, with their opponents exhibiting a ruthless streak when changing their probabilities.
Wing Will Muir scored two tries, one among them a elegant end, and Louie Hennessey added a 3rd to maintain the sport alive within the last quarter, however they made too many errors.
Bordeaux have been worthy winners they usually advance to the ultimate in Bilbao on Might 23 when they are going to look to retain their title.
Kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes to permit followers to get into the stadium and Bathtub seemed to be caught chilly when their line was breached after simply 110 seconds, their lack of outdoor defence exploited via Damian Penaud earlier than Marko Gazzotti arrived to crash over.
England scrum-half Ben Spencer was on the coronary heart of the response as he delivered kicks to every wing, the second selecting out Muir who was offered with a easy run in.
Bathtub have been uncovered out huge once more as Louis Bielle-Biarrey struck within the left nook but it surely was a line-out drive a part earlier that had actually softened up the defence.
Alfie Barbeary was distinguished as Bathtub pounded the house whitewash however after they scored their second attempt it was via the dealing with of their backs and a intelligent run by Henry Arundell adopted by an outstanding diving end by Muir.
There was no signal of the breathless tempo letting up as deadly Bordeaux struck once more with Maxime Lucu the scorer after the ball had been stored alive brilliantly as Bathtub ran out of defenders.
The ultimate act of the primary half was Lucu touchdown a penalty to ascertain a 24-12 lead and Bathtub have been at risk of being lower adrift, however Hennessey struck again for Bathtub as he side-stepped over, ignoring the overlap outdoors him.
Charlie Ewels was proven a yellow card for knocking down the maul and Bathtub lastly cracked when large prop Ben Tameifuna surged over within the 69th minute earlier than Temo Matiu and Tom Carr-Smith exchanged late tries.
“We are gutted,” fly-half Finn Russell mentioned. “We went behind, fought ourselves back, and didn’t take our chances. And gave them soft entries into our 22 … at this level, you give soft penalties away and make silly mistakes, you get punished.
“We’ll be higher for this. there’s plenty of frustration and disappointment. However after we come again in tomorrow we’ll take a look at it, and the way we prepare for Exeter subsequent weekend.”
Dragons fall simply wanting upset win in Problem Cup
The Dragons went down preventing as their dream of reaching the Problem Cup last ended with an 18-12 defeat by Montpellier.
Prime 14 title challengers Montpellier will face Ulster within the competitors’s showpiece in Bilbao on Might 22, however they have been left clinging on within the closing phases of their semi-final at Septeo Stadium.
Aneurin Owen claimed his second attempt within the 73rd minute to depart the Dragons, who’re positioned third from backside within the United Rugby Championship, a transformed attempt away from springing a dramatic upset.
However their fightback stopped wanting delivering the decisive rating regardless of a late sequence of assaults.
