Gloucester and holders Bordeaux draw 36-36 in Champions Cup opener

Gloucester and defending champions Bordeaux Begles have opened the 2026-27 Champions Cup with a 36-36 draw at Kingsholm.

• Bordeaux trailed 24-17 at the interval and 36-29 after Gloucester replacement Will Trenholm scored twice midway through the second half.
• France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored two tries, the second converted by Maxime Lucu to level at 36-36, and neither side produced a winning moment.
• Four Bordeaux players, including Bielle-Biarrey, were held for four hours by UK Border Control for lacking a valid electronic travel authorisation.
• A minute's silence preceded kick-off for Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who died on Friday aged 31; the Lions face La Rochelle in his honour on Saturday.