Investec Champions Cup
Bristol (5) 15
Tries: Oghre, Janse van Rensburg Con: Worsley Pen: Worsley
Bordeaux (17) 27
Tries: Bielle-Biarrey 3, Depoortere Cons: Jalibert 2 Pen: Jalibert
Bristol Bears missed out on securing top spot in their Champions Cup pool and with it a guaranteed home tie in the last 16 as they went down to a spirited defeat against holders Bordeaux at Ashton Gate.
France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored a hat-trick for the French side, with his last try coming in the final play of the game.
Hooker Gabriel Oghre opened the scoring for the hosts, but two tries by Bielle-Biarrey and one from Nicolas Depoortere put the visitors in control.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s try sparked an exciting final 15 minutes, and Sam Worsley’s penalty brought the lead back within five points.
But like true champions, Bordeaux grabbed a vital late bonus-point try to likely head into the knockout stages as number one seeds.
Pat Lam’s side, who narrowly missed out on a losing bonus point, remain second in the pool but will drop out of a home knockout tie if Northampton defeat Scarlets (15:15 GMT).
More to follow.
Bristol: Rees-Zammit; Heward, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ravouvou; Jordan, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Kloska, Rubiolo, Batley, S Grondona, Harding (capt), Mata.
Replacements: Thacker, Lahiff, Halliwell, Owen, B Grondona, Marmion, Worsley, Moroni.
Bordeaux: Buros; Penaud, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Page-Relo; Poirot, Lamothe (capt), Sadie, Palu, Coleman, Du Preez, Woki, Matiu.
Replacements: Sa, Boniface, Tameifuna, Cazeaux, Vergnes-Taillefer, Carbery, Janse van Rensburg, Rayasi.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant referees: Shota Tevzadze (Geo), Andrew Cole (Ire)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
