Semi-final: Bordeaux Bègles 38-26 Bath
Maxime Lucu scores 18 points for holders
Bath had hoped that a return to Bordeaux might rekindle fond memories of their Champions Cup triumph in the city in 1998. Sadly for their supporters it was not to be as the hosts moved a big step closer to retaining the trophy they secured at Northampton’s expense in Cardiff last year.
Bordeaux Bègles will face Leinster in the final in Bilbao in three weeks’ time, propelled there by the familiar trio of their brilliant half-backs Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey who scored one of his side’s five tries. While Will Muir scored a brace in response and the contest was never less than gripping, England’s domestic champions were ultimately second best against formidable opposition.
It might have been a slightly different story had three apparent head contact collisions on Alfie Barbeary been highlighted by the French television director. Johann van Graan, Bath’s director of rugby, was quick to stress his respect for both Bordeaux and the match officials but could not entirely hide his frustration.
