Bordeaux only manage to keep pace with Gloucester in Champions Cup thriller

A brace by Will Trenholm was not enough to prevent Gloucester from falling agonisingly short of downing Champions Cup holders Bordeaux following a thrilling 36-36 draw.

George Skivington’s team pushed the French outfit all the way during a pulsating European tie at Kingsholm Stadium.

Gloucester held a 24-17 lead at half-time before Trenholm crashed over twice, but a double by Louis Bielle-Biarrey salvaged a share of the spoils for visiting Bordeaux.

Bordeaux made a fast start, with Martin Page-Relo able to open the scoring in the fourth minute, but Arthur Clark produced an instant reply for Gloucester.

Efforts by Max Llewellyn and George Barton, either side of Sipili Falatea’s try, earned the hosts a slender seven-point advantage at the break thanks to three successful conversions by Barton.

Pablo Uberti levelled for Bordeaux six minutes into the second period before quick-fire tries by Trenholm had Kingsholm rocking, but Bielle-Biarry levelled in the 62nd minute and despite plenty of territory, neither side could find a winning score.