Bordeaux Begles thrash injury ravaged Toulouse to reach Champions Cup final

Union Bordeaux-Begles produced a commanding performance to end Toulouse’s two-year unbeaten run in the European Champions Cup with a ruthless 35-18 victory at the Matmut Atlantique to reach the final for the first time on Sunday.

Bordeaux, who will face the Northampton Saints in the final at the Millennium Stadium, scored tries through Pete Samu, Louis Bielle-Biarrey (2),Pierre Bochaton and Ben Tameifuna, with the boot of Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lucu adding valuable points.

Six-times champions Toulouse scored with tries from Dimitri Delibes and Pierre-Louis Barassi, as well as points from the tee courtesy of Juan Cruz Mallia.

Toulouse were unbeaten since losing in the 2023 semi-finals to Leinster but with Antoine Dupont, Blair Kinghorn, Thomas Ramos and Peato Mauvaka all injured, they suffered their first defeat against UBB in a knockout match.

They had a 10-minute spell of domination and we did not crack. Were so happy to qualify in front of our fans as weve been through very tough moments, said Jalibert, referring to Toulouses 59-3 win against UBB in the Top 14 final last season.

Samu finished off a well-executed try after Union Bordeaux-Begles started an attack from their own 40 metres, making the most of a solid spell of possession. Jalibert then converted and added a penalty, giving Bordeaux a perfect start to the game.

Toulouse, however, quickly found their rhythm and responded with two Mallia penalties either side of a clinical finish from Delibes, taking the lead as they capitalised on Bordeauxs momentary lapse in defence.

Despite Toulouses surge, Bordeaux regained the advantage when Bielle-Biarrey dived over in the corner to restore the advantage.

Lucu slotted in a 58-metre penalty, setting up an exciting contest as both teams remained locked in a closely contested battle.

Bielle-Biarrey was at it again, starting and finishing a