Gloucester and holders Bordeaux draw Champions Cup thriller

Gloucester and holders Bordeaux Begles begin this season's Champions Cup with a thrilling 36-36 draw at Kingsholm. Gloucester finished bottom of their pool in the Champions Cup last season Gloucester and holders Bordeaux Begles began this season's Champions Cup with a thrilling 36-36 draw at Kingsholm. Bordeaux, bidding to win the Champions Cup for a third successive year, had looked in danger of their first loss in the competition since a quarter-final defeat by Harlequins in April 2024. The French side trailed 24-17 at the interval and then 36-29 when Gloucester replacement Will Trenholm crossed twice midway through the second half for the early-season Prem leaders. But France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey quickly replied with his second try of the game, which was converted by Maxime Lucu, and neither team was able to produce a winning moment in a gripping finale.

Before kick-off, there was a moment's silence in memory of Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who died on Friday aged 31. Former Sale player Andrews died at the South African team's hotel a day before their Champions Cup match in La Rochelle. The Lions will fulfil that fixture in Andrews' honour on Saturday and further tributes are planned across the opening round of Champions Cup games. Recap: Gloucester and holders Bordeaux draw thrilling Champions Cup opener Gloucester's three first-half tries all