Bordeaux Begles Demolish Leicester Tigers in Champions Cup Thrashing
Bordeaux Begles delivered a stunning performance, crushing Leicester Tigers 64-14 at Stade Chaban Delmas to secure their place in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals. The match, held on Sunday 05 April 2026, saw the hosts run in nine tries, with Salesi Rayasi scoring a hat-trick in a dominant display that left a weakened Leicester side reeling.
First-Half Onslaught Sets the Tone
The rout began early when Maxime Lucu slotted a penalty in the sixth minute, setting the stage for a relentless assault. Cameron Woki crashed over from close range in the 20th minute to extend the lead to 10-0. From there, Bordeaux unleashed a devastating blitz, scoring four tries in just 12 minutes before halftime.
- Salesi Rayasi zoomed over for the first of his three tries.
- Maxime Lucu added another by running in under the posts.
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Maxime Lamothe also crossed the whitewash.
This flurry of scores pushed Bordeaux to a commanding 36-0 lead at the break, leaving Leicester struggling to contain the hosts' offensive firepower.
Leicester's Brief Resurgence and Bordeaux's Response
Leicester showed some fight early in the second half, with Izaia Perese capitalising on a careless pass to score under the posts three minutes after the restart. However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed when Ben Tameifuna powered through multiple defenders to restore Bordeaux's 36-point advantage.
The Tigers demonstrated great spirit by adding another try through substitute Billy Searle, who walked in for a simple score. Despite this effort, Leicester could not sustain the momentum against Bordeaux's relentless attack.
Rayasi's Hat-Trick Seals Convincing Victory
Bordeaux finished strong, scoring three more tries to cap off the match. Salesi Rayasi completed his hat-trick with two additional efforts, while Arthur Retiere also crossed the line. This late surge wrapped up a convincing 50-point victory, highlighting Bordeaux's superiority and securing their progression in the tournament.
Quarter-Final Showdown Against Toulouse
With this emphatic win, Bordeaux Begles have booked a blockbuster quarter-final clash against fellow Top 14 side Toulouse. This meeting of French heavyweights promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams vie for a spot in the Champions Cup semi-finals. The victory underscores Bordeaux's form and sets the stage for an intense battle in the next round.
