Gloucester and holders Bordeaux Begles began the 2026-27 Champions Cup with a thrilling 36-36 draw at Kingsholm. Bordeaux, bidding to win the competition 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. France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey quickly replied with his second try of the game, converted by Maxime Lucu, and neither team could 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.
Gloucester's three first-half tries owed a lot to their strength at the scrum, although they twice had to come from behind to lead by seven points at the interval. Bordeaux scrum-half Martin Page-Relo opened the scoring inside five minutes, but the hosts responded with replies from Arthur Clark and Max Llewellyn. George Barton then barged over from close range and kicked a penalty to close out the first half, while Bielle-Biarrey, quiet for the first 40 minutes, sent Pablo Uberti over before grabbing his first try. Both sides finished with five tries in a see-saw Pool Three encounter.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing