Full-Time Report
Union Bordeaux-Bègles banished the ghosts of past heartbreaks with a sensational 35-18 victory over defending champion Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup semifinal on Saturday, setting up a date with the Northampton Saints in the final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on May 24.
The hosts delivered a high-octane performance from the opening whistle, led by their dynamic halfback pairing of Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert, whose game management and pinpoint kicking consistently kept Toulouse on the back foot.
A raucous Stade Chaban-Delmas crowd witnessed UBB defeat Toulouse for the third time this season — none more emphatic than this.
Former Wallaby Pete Samu lit the fuse early, finishing a length-of-the-field move in the sixth minute to give Bordeaux the lead.
Jalibert’s boot added a penalty soon after, but Toulouse responded with grit. Juan Cruz Mallia slotted two penalties and converted a try by Dimitri Delibes to edge Toulouse ahead 11-10 midway through the first half.
But Bordeaux struck back with flair and precision.
Rising star Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored his seventh try of the tournament in the 22nd minute, before Lucu landed a stunning 55-meter penalty to make it 18-11. Bordeaux entered halftime in control, and that dominance only grew in the second period.
Bielle-Biarrey pounced again straight from the second-half restart, blazing through the Toulouse defense to extend the lead.
Jalibert’s conversion made it 25-11, but a yellow card to Bordeaux flanker Marko Gazzotti in the 52nd minute handed Toulouse a lifeline.
Pierre-Louis Barassi exploited the extra-man minutes later to cut the deficit to seven.
The defining moment came in the 63rd minute, when Bordeaux’s pack forced a turnover deep in Toulouse territory.
Jalibert kicked for touch, and after a powerful maul and several phases, Pierre Bochaton crashed over to restore a two-score advantage.
Despite losing Damian Penaud to injury, Bordeaux’s forwards stood tall, and a late try by Ben Tameifuna sealed the win.
Jalibert and Lucu controlled proceedings, while the Bordeaux pack outmuscled a depleted Toulouse lineup.
The result marks a cathartic moment for UBB after falling short in last year’s Top 14 final and the Champions Cup quarterfinals.
With momentum on its side, Bordeaux-Bègles now sets its sights on European glory in Cardiff.
FULL-TIME! Bordeaux Defeats Reigning Champion Toulouse!
What a performance by Bordeaux-Begles, banishing the demons of a record defeat at the hands of Toulouse in last season's Top 14 final and a dramatic quarterfinal loss to Harlequins in the Champions Cup.
That was a spectacular performance, and there can be no doubt UBB deserved the win.
TRY! Ben Tameifuna | Min 78
Signed, sealed and delivered! This is all over!
Bordeaux beats Toulouse for the third time this season and will face the Northampton Saints in the Investec Champions Cup final in Cardiff on May 24!
Joey Carbery just misses the conversion, but it doesn't matter, this one is done! UBB 35 - ST 18.
Another Huge Turnover From UBB!
This must be done! Three minutes left, and Bordeaux has a two-score lead! UBB is on attack and looking to finish with a flourish!
Bordeaux Fronting Up!
Toulouse has been going through the gears, but Bordeaux is scrambling magnificently and has won a crucial turnover by big Ben Tameifuna! That feels like a match securing moment.
TRY! Pierre Bochaton | Min 63
Could that be the killer blow?!
The Bordeaux pack wins a superb turnover, and Matthieu Jalibert absolutely nails his touch finder to set Bordeaux up 5 meters out from the Toulouse line.
UBB launches a maul, which Toulouse sacks, but Bordeaux keeps possession, and three rucks later, they are over!
Jalibert misses the touchline conversion, but UBB is crucially two scores clear. UBB 30 ST 18.
A Big Blow For Bordeaux
Record try-scorer Damian Penaud is forced to leave the pitch with what appears to be an ankle injury. This is a real shame for Bordeaux fans and neutrals alike. For his teammates, losing the best attacking player in this year's competition is a major blow.
TRY! Pierre-Louis Barassi | Min 54
That is exactly where Gazzotti would've been, and Toulouse exposed the space perfectly! Game on!
Juan Cruz Mallia nails the conversion, and Toulouse is back within a score. UBB 25 - ST 18.
Yellow Card! Marko Gazzotti | Min 52
Bordeaux's young backrow sensation is shown a yellow card! He went for a cynical turnover, which stopped a near-certain try.
The match officials take no time at all to come to their decision. Toulouse now is flexing its muscles. Can Toulouse score here to get back into the contest?
TRY! Louis Bielle-Biarrey | Min 40!
Straight from the kickoff! That is exactly what UBB needed!
Bielle-Biarrey confirms that he is the fastest player in professional rugby! That could not have been a worse start for Toulouse!
Certain fans weren't even back in their seats when Bordeaux struck! Jalibert converts! UBB 25 - ST 11.
Second Half
We are locked in for what should be a pulsating second half. Can Bordeaux overcome its demons from last year's Top 14 final defeat? Can Toulouse win without so many of its star players? We will find out over the next 40 minutes.
Halftime Report
It has been a pulsating opening 40 minutes in Bordeaux, where Union Bordeaux-Bègles lead defending champion Toulouse 18-11 in this Investec Champions Cup clash.
The hosts got off to a flying start, racing out of the blocks with a length-of-the-field move finished off by Pete Samu in the sixth minute.
Matthieu Jalibert added the extras, before slotting a penalty to push UBB out to a 10-0 lead.
But Toulouse responded in kind.
Juan Cruz Mallia calmly nailed a penalty in the 11th minute, then winger Dimitri Delibes crossed out wide following a powerful buildup from the visitors. Mallia’s conversion slid wide, but another penalty from him in the 20th minute gave Toulouse a narrow 11-10 lead.
That advantage was short-lived.
Young star Louis Bielle-Biarrey continued his superb European campaign, diving over in the 22nd minute for his seventh try of the tournament. Jalibert couldn’t add the extras, but the home side was back in front.
Then came one of the moments of the match so far — a booming 55-meter penalty from Maxime Lucu in the 28th minute, stretching Bordeaux’s lead to seven points.
Lucu and Jalibert have dictated proceedings with a masterful kicking display, pinning Toulouse deep and keeping them off balance. Hooker Maxime Lamothe has also impressed, earning a key turnover just before the break and getting the better of Julian Marchand at the breakdown.
It has been physical, frantic and full of flair — a clash worthy of the occasion. With just one score separating the teams, everything remains to play for, as both sides head into the sheds.