Champions Cup: Gloucester 36-36 Bordeaux Begles - Thrilling Draw to Start 2026-27 Competition
BBC Sport reports on the thrilling draw between Gloucester and Bordeaux Begles in the 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup.
Gloucester and Holders Bordeaux Draw 36-36
Gloucester and Bordeaux Begles opened the 2026-27 Champions Cup with a dramatic 36-36 draw at Kingsholm.
First Half
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Gloucester: Clark, Llewellyn, Barton, Trenholm (2)
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Cons: Barton (4)
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Bordeaux Begles: Page-Relo, Falatea, Uberti, Bielle-Biarrey (2)
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Cons: Lucu (4)
Second Half
Gloucester, trailing 17-24 at halftime, stormed back with tries from Will Trenholm, putting them ahead 36-29. However, Bordeaux replied with two quick tries from Louis Bielle-Biarrey, converting both to level the score.
Tributes to Hyron Andrews
Before the match, a moment's silence was observed in memory of Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who passed away on Friday at the age of 31. The Lions will play their match in Andrews' honor on Saturday, with further tributes planned across the opening round of Champions Cup games.
Line-ups
Gloucester
- Barton; Joseph, Llewellyn, S Atkinson, Loader
- C Atkinson, Robson
- Bleuler, Lake (capt), C Knight, Kleyn, Clark, Gwynne, Morgan, Clement
- Replacements: Blake, Rapava Ruskin, Salt, Thomas, Trenholm, Ludlow, Englefield, W Knight
Bordeaux Begles
- Rayasi; Uberti, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey
- Lucu (capt), Page-Relo
- Poirot, Lamothe, Falatea, Woki, Tameifuna, Gazzotti, Matiu, Willis
- Replacements: Sa, Perchaud, Pkhakadze, Zapedowski, Bochaton, Ibsaiene, Mousques, Buros
Referee
Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant Referees
Franco Rosella (Italy) and Dario Merli (Italy)
TMO
Matteo Liperini (Italy)