Bordeaux thump Scarlets in rout at Stade Chaban-Delmas

Bordeaux ran in seven tries to comprehensively beat the Scarlets 45-10 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas in the third round of the Champions Cup.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored a hat-trick and there were further tries from Cameron Woki, Geoffrey Cross, Maxime Lamothe, and Nans Ducuing to fire Bordeaux to a bonus-point victory. Liam Williams and Gareth Davies scored the only Scarlets tries.

Both sides were forced into late changes with three positive Covid cases in the Bordeaux side forcing Francois Trinh-Duc, and Maxime Lucu out of the starting XV with with Santiago Cordero having to cover at scrum-half, and Mathieu Jalibert starting at 10.

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We catch up with England international Zach Mercer to find out all about the Covid cases in the Montpellier camp, their European ambition, how he’s thriving on and off the field in France, being back on Eddie Jones’ radar after a chat at a recent Top 14 game and much more. Plus, we discuss the lay of the land in the Top 14 and how the regulations in France are affecting rugby and the Champions Cup. And, we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com

The Scarlets lost Scotland international Blade Thomson and prop WillGriff John in the warm-up. In came Morgan Jones at lock, and Samson Lee at tight-head prop, with Jac Price, and Harri O’Connor coming onto the bench.

Bordeaux enjoyed 57 per cent possession in the first quarter of the game and finally turned pressure into points. Wales full-back Williams failed to take a high ball, which allowed the hosts to move play from left to right. Jalibert and Cordero engaged in some interpassing, with a lovely inside ball putting Woki over for the opening try.

Jalibert added the extras, and Bordeaux were celebrating their second try just six minutes later. Bordeaux full-back Bielle-Biarrey sliced through the visiting side’s defence before turning the Scarlets inside out to score. There was some doubt over whether he had grounded the ball, but upon referring the decision to the television match official referee Karl Dickson awarded the try.

Jalibert converted and in the next passage of play Scarlets full-back Williams was sent to the sin bin for cynically killing the ball at the breakdown. Bordeaux made the most of their numerical advantage with some tremendous handling putting Cros over at the far right-hand corner for their third try, with Jalibert converting from the touchline to give them a 21-0 lead at the interval.

Bordeaux started the second half in the same manner they had begun the first with a wonderful offload from Woki allowing Bielle-Biarrey to score. It took until the 51st minute for the Scarlets to get on the scoreboard. After enjoying a rare period of possession, replacement outside-half Rhys Patchell perfectly executed a cross-kick which was grounded by Williams.

But Bordeaux hit straight back when Cordero broke clear before drawing the final defender to put Lamothe over.

Scarlets claimed their second try when Patchell intercepted and offloaded to Davies who ran in unopposed from 70 metres out.

Bordeaux crossed for their sixth try with a stunning offload from Bastien Vergnes allowing Ducuing to brush off some weak tackling to score.

Teenage full-back Bielle-Barrey then completed his hat-trick with a straight run in from 40 metres, while the Scarlets ended the game with 14 men after Phil Price was yellow carded for illegally sacking a lineout.