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Leicester crumble in Bordeaux, Ulster shredded in Toulouse
By PA
Bordeaux-Begles mounted a second-half fightback to beat Leicester 42-28 in their opening Investec Champions Cup clash at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
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The Tigers had built a seven-point lead by half-time, but the hosts recovered with four tries as France international Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored twice.
Despite resting several players for the European tie, Leicester made a positive start with two tries in the opening 15 minutes through lock Harry Wells and Josh Bassett’s close-range touchdown.
Bordeaux had replied with a sixth-minute try from forward Pete Samu before Guido Petti went over from a counter-attack to level things up ahead of the half-hour mark.
Frenchman Come Joussain then crafted a try on his Tigers debut to put the English side 21-14 ahead at the break.
Bourdeaux, though, regrouped during the interval and produced a lightning start to the second half as Bielle-Biarrey scored from his own kick before Samu went over for his second to put the home side in front.
Bielle-Biarrey touched down again between the posts before Nicolas Depoortere ran in a sixth try, with Izaia Perese bundling over late on to at least secure Leicester a bonus point.
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Holders Toulouse made it a French double Pool One as Antoine Dupont’s side swept past Ulster 61-21 at Stade Ernest-Wallon.
The hosts had set the tone when Matthis Lebel went over in the corner inside two minutes before Romain Ntamack barged across from Dupont’s pass.
Ulster responded with a 12th-minute try from James McCormack, but Toulouse soon scored again through lock Emmanuel Meafou before Italy international Ange Capuozzo capped off a fine move and Dupont touched down a fifth try.
Stewart Moore raced clear to get Ulster on the board again, but there was little respite as Meafou’s second try made it 40-14 at the break.
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Santiago Chocobares continued the onslaught in the second half from another flowing attack and Capuozzo went over after collecting a fine kick from Dupont.
Iain Henderson barged over for Ulster’s third try with 13 minutes left before Toulouse completed a comprehensive win with a penalty try from the final action of the match, Thomas Ramos having kicked seven conversions.