Gloucester and Bordeaux-Bègles share 36-36 Champions Cup thriller

Gloucester opened their Champions Cup campaign with a 36-36 draw against holders Bordeaux-Bègles at Kingsholm, after twice leading by seven points in a match that produced 10 tries. [1]

Gloucester were 24-17 ahead at half-time and led 36-29 midway through the second half, when replacement Will Trenholm scored twice. Bordeaux winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey replied with his second try, converted by Maxime Lucu, but neither side found a late winner. [1]

Bordeaux are seeking a third successive Champions Cup title. Gloucester finished bottom of their pool last season. [1]

The match began with a minute’s silence for Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who died aged 31 at the South African team’s hotel before their scheduled Champions Cup match in La Rochelle. The Lions said they would play that fixture in his honour, with further tributes planned during the competition’s opening round. [1]