Gabriel Oghre remembers his first meal in Bordeaux was duck, a delicacy served at a restaurant with only that dish. The hooker joined Bordeaux-Begles in early 2023 after Wasps' demise, finding a warm welcome from former teammate Tom Willis and new friends like Nicolas Depoortere and Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Oghre spent five months in France but returned to England with Bristol to chase his England ambitions, as playing abroad blocks national selection. He made his England debut against the United States last July, a cap earned after a disrupted match. He now competes with younger hookers like Jamie Blamire and Theo Dan.

This Sunday, Oghre faces Bordeaux in the Investec Champions Cup, with both teams already qualified for the last 16. Victory would secure home advantage for the knockout stages. For Oghre, it’s business first, with a post-match reunion planned. Bristol aims to build on a strong start after last season’s painful Premiership semi-final loss.