Bath beaten by Bordeaux in pulsating Champions Cup semi-final

Breaking news from the world of sport: Bath beaten by Bordeaux in pulsating Champions Cup semi-final Image source, Rex Features Image caption, The semi-final was played in front of a raucous 42,000 crowd at a sold out Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Metropole By Richard Dore Sport senior journalist Published 16 minutes ago Investec Champions Cup semi-final Bordeaux-Begles (24) 38 Tries: Gazzotti, Bielle-Biarrey, Lucu, Tameifuna, Matiu Cons: Lucu 5 Pens: Lucu Bath (12) 26 Tries: Muir 2, Hennessey, Carr-Smith Cons: Russell 3 Bath were outgunned by Bordeaux-Begles on France's Atlantic coast in the English side's first top-tier European semi-final in 20 years. Billed pre-game as Bordeaux's organised chaos versus Bath's structured efficiency, the French side's style prevailed as Bath were eventually worn down by the game's relentless pace.

At the sold-out 42,000-seater Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Metropole, the Champions Cup holders delivered a blistering first half with tries for Marko Gazzotti, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Maxime Lucu. Prem champions Bath were always underdogs but went blow for blow for the opening half hour, wing Will Muir twice getting on the scoresheet.

Match Details

In a game of international quality the key match-ups were everywhere - Bielle-Biarrey v Henry Arundell, Matthieu Jalibert v Finn Russell - but it was young centre Louie Hennessey who got Bath's third try at the beginning of the second half. From there Bordeaux took over, with substitute Ben Tameifuna powering over to exert control on the scoreboard and Temo Matiu putting the result beyond Bath, despite Tom Carr-Smith's late consolation.

Bath's wait for another trophy in this competition will stretch to 29 years, while reigning champions Bordeaux earn the chance to go back to back against Leinster in three weeks' time. Line-ups Bordeaux-Begles : Rayasi; Uberti, Penaud, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Lucu (c); Perchaud, Lamothe, Sadie, Palu, Coleman, Bochaton, Woki, Gazzotti Replacements : Barlot, Boniface, Tameifuna, Cazeaux, Vergnes-Taillefer, Matiu, Retiere, Hugo Reus Bath : Carreras; Arundell, Hennessey, Lawrence, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewels, Bayliss, Pepper, Barbeary Replacements : Tuipulotu, Van Wyk, Sela, Hill, Underhill, Carr-Smith, De Glanville, Reid Sin-bin : Ewels (67) Match officials Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) Assistant referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy), Eoghan Cross (Ireland) TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales) Related topics Rugby Union Bath English Rugby More on this story Cullen says media 'just want to kick boot into us' Published 4 hours ago Leinster survive Toulon scare to reach Champions Cup final Published 1 day ago Lomu, Wilkinson, Pollock?

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