Leicester Tigers got their Investec Champions Cup campaign started with a losing bonus point against Bordeaux. It was a tale of two halves with many Tigers shining brightly in a credible display.
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The Tigers raced into an early lead with Harry Wells powering over after five minutes. The set the tone for the game with Pete Sam instantly retaliating for the French outfit, in a tit for tat try-scoring first half. Josh Bassett and Guido Petti exchanged tries after one another. Frenchman Côme Joussain crossed the whitewash before the half time whistle, on his first Tigers start. Leicester lead 28-21 after forty.
The second half followed on from the first, with both sides choosing not to take points, instead opting for fast and powerful running rugby. Bordeaux showed their class early on with Biarrey highlighting his wheels twice, and Pete Sami also crossing in the first ten minutes.
Leicester fought on, but a weakened bench showed the difference in class and Mathieu Jalibert ran the show. Depoortere crossed for the home side in the 72nd minute while Leicester searched for a losing bonus.
Eventually Leicester came away with something after Perese powered over with the clock in the red. The game showed Bordeaux’s permanent class, but also Leicester’s high ceiling for this years European run, and the Tigers will return home hopeful to build on a respectful, and at times, brilliant performance.
Full time Bordeaux 42 – 28 Leicester.
BORDEAUX BEGLES: 42
Tries: 6 (Samu 6′ 45′, Petti 27′, Bielle – Biarrey 43′ 48′, Depoortere 72′)
Conversions: 6 (Jalibert 7′, 28′, 44′, 46′, 49′, 74′)
Penalties: 0
Cards: 0
Starting XV: 15. Louis Bielle-Biarrey 14. Damian Penaud 13. Nicolas Depoortere 12. Yoram Montana 11. Arthur Retiere 10. Mathieu Jalibert 9. Maxime Lucu (C) 1. Jefferson Poirot 2. Maxime Lamothe 3. Ben Tameifuna 4. Guido Petti 5. Jonny Gray 6. Mahamadou Diaby 7. Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer 8. Pete Samu
Replacements: 16. Connor Sa 17. Ugo Boniface 18. Carlü Sadie 19. Adam Coleman 20. Lachlan Swinton 21. Tevita Tatafu 22. Ben Tapuai 23. Joey Carbery
LEICESTER TIGERS: 28
Tries: 4 (Wells 5′, Bassett 14′, Joussain 34′, Perese 81′)
Conversions: 4 (Shillcock 6′, 15′, 34′, 83′)
Penalties: 0
Cards: 0
Starting XV: 15. Freddie Steward 14. Josh Bassett 13. Izaia Perese 12. Solomone Kata 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins 10. Jamie Shillcock 9. Jack van Poortvliet (C) 1. James Cronin 2. Charlie Clare 3. Joe Heyes 4. Harry Wells 5. Côme Joussain 6. Hanro Liebenberg 7. Emeka Ilione 8. Olly Cracknell
Replacements: 16. Finn Theobold-Thomas 17. James Whitcombe 18. Will Hurd 19. Jed Holloway 20. Kyle Hatherell 21. Tom Whiteley 22. Joseph Woodward 23. Mike Brown
LEICESTER TIGERS PLAYER RATINGS
15. Freddie Steward – 7: Steward, renowned for his aerial game, had little to do in the air. Carried and kicked well giving Leicester a platform to attack with 18 carries.
14. Josh Bassett – 6.5: Took his try very well with a narrow finish in the corner. Bassett came off his wing a lot finding work nonstop.
13. Izaia Perese – 7.5: Perese didn’t stop for the Tigers. Constant threat in attack with 12 carries, and many line breaking. Deservedly got his try, and the Tigers a losing bonus.
12. Solomone Kata – 6: Kata fronted up well in defence and brought some nice lines to the Tigers attack, but struggled to influence the game as much as his outside partner
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins – 6: Dealt with Penaud as best as one could. Collins gave a decent account of himself.
10. Jamie Shillcock – 7: Perfect off the tee on a windy day. Shillcock also brought real pace and intent to the Tigers attack, particularly in the first half.
9. Jack van Poortvliet – 6.5: Simlarly to his partner, van Poortfliet gave Bordeaux real danger with a quick game off the base of the ruck.
1.James Cronin – 8: So much of Leicester’s success in the first half came from the scrum platform. Cronin was immense with the Leicester scrum dominant all day. Showed some lovely hands too, with some fine tip ons.
2. Charlie Clare – 6: Similar to Cronin in his scrummaging and open game, however at times the Leicester lineout faltered with six lineouts lost
3. Joe Heyes – 7: The final of the Leicester front row again deserves praise. Eyes carried powerfully and contributed to the dominant scrum. All three front rowers will be happy with their days work.
4. Harry Wells – 8: Wells was immense for the Tigers. Set the tone early on with a great try, and continued his dynamic, powerful carrying throughout. A real thorn for the Bordeaux defence
5. Côme Joussain – 6.5: The Frenchman was making his first Tigers start and brought a real physicality to the game. Took his try brilliantly from close range with a powerful carry.
6. Hanro Liebenberg – 7.5: Liebenberg won two brilliant turnovers and showed a powerful game. His efforts faded as the game got away from the Tigers, but a short burst led to their losing bonus with a brilliant carry.
7. Emeka Ilione – 7: Ilione showed a real dynamism until full time. His carries were powerful and he offered speed and quick hands in attack, while his defence was aggressive.
8. Ollie Cracknell – 7: Can only be judged on 40 minutes of rugby after being taken off for what can only be assumed an injury. Cracknell gave the Tigers the front foot in attack with powerful carrying hitting inside seams of a weak Bordeaux first half defence.
Replacements:
16. Finn Theobold-Thomas – 6: The hooker was given 10 minutes in a waning side. Did the basics well.
17. James Whitcombe – 6: Same as Thomas.
18. Will Hurd – 6: Came on with twenty minutes to go, the game was set in stone, gave a solid showing.
19. Jed Holloway – 6: A respectable twenty minute cameo.
20. Kyle Hatherell – 7: Hatherell replaced Cracknell at half time and brought a similar energy and power to the game with dynamic carrying.
21. Tom Whiteley – 5: Some poor kicking and choice of pass made Tigers really work hard to attain a losing bonus.
22. Joseph Woodward – 5: Shook up Leicester’s attack struggling to play quick and wide, which they had done to great effect.
23. Mike Brown – 7: A typically reliant showing from the stalwart. Incredible defence kept Bordeaux out and lead to Leicesters final try. Decent in the carry too.
