Bordeaux put sorry Sarries to slaughter
The Rugby Paper|April 07, 2024
FOR the second time this season past European masters Saracens were totally schooled by a star-studded Bordeaux side who will now face Harlequins in a mouth watering quarter-final.
BRENDAN GALLAGHER
Bordeaux put sorry Sarries to slaughter

At no stage did Saracens remotely get into this contest even in the first half when in theory they were well in touch. On another night Bordeaux would have helped themselves to another 30-plus points and posted a win of historic proportions.

Saracens, 55-15 losers in their pool game, spent most of the first half dodging bullets and it was a minor miracle they turned around just 10-0 down.

Four times Bordeaux crossed the line and claimed a try and four times Frank Murphy and his officials correctly scrubbed the "score" off which required a good degree of coolness under pressure at the capacity crowd let their views be known.

Louis Bielle-Biarray clearly didn't quite win the race to touch down a chip ahead while "Big Ben" 23-stone prop Ben Tameifuna crashed over the line okay but touched down on his own forearm before spilling the ball.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE RUGBY PAPERView all
Vermeulen excited to visit old friends
The Rugby Paper

Vermeulen excited to visit old friends

EXETER start their Champions Cup campaign away in South Africa on Saturday, but Jacques Vermeulen will feel very much at home.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Scotland deserve fair share of Lions
The Rugby Paper

Scotland deserve fair share of Lions

WE MAY be exaggerating here, but not by much: since the wonderful Tom Smith made the last of his half-dozen consecutive international appearances in the red jersey of his dreams, as opposed to the blue one, it has been easier to spot a Twickenham chief executive in a food bank than clap eyes on a Test Lion from Scotland.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
We'll be locked and loaded for Sale trip - Cheika
The Rugby Paper

We'll be locked and loaded for Sale trip - Cheika

WITH wins over Exeter, Newcastle and Saracens, playing away from home in the Premiership currently holds no fears for Leicester.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Sanderson: We need to get our bite back
The Rugby Paper

Sanderson: We need to get our bite back

ALEX Sanderson expects Sale to bear their teeth against resurgent Leicester at the AJ Bell Stadium after heavy defeats on the road in the last two rounds.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Newcastle master misfiring Saracens
The Rugby Paper

Newcastle master misfiring Saracens

STEVE Diamond pledged that Newcastle had to focus on home form and turn Kingston Park into a fortress, and those words came to fruition in a season-defining victory against Saracens.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Lam puts Ibitoye in frame for England
The Rugby Paper

Lam puts Ibitoye in frame for England

PAT Lam believes Steve Borthwick should put Gabriel Ibitoye in his future England plans and give the wing a Six Nations run out.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Carreras class has Saints on the rack
The Rugby Paper

Carreras class has Saints on the rack

GLOUCESTER'S first-half charge won this classy Premiership contest despite a Northampton fight-back led by fit-again No.9 Alex Mitchell.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Chiefs fight hard but Bath go back to top
The Rugby Paper

Chiefs fight hard but Bath go back to top

THIS was a rare ugly match in the Premiership as Bath returned to the top of the table and Exeter’s losing run stretched to seven league matches.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Pepper praise for Underhill
The Rugby Paper

Pepper praise for Underhill

SAM Underhill was one of Guy Pepper’s idols growing up and he’s now enjoying learning from him in person at Bath.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
We can't compete with the big dogs, admits Diamond
The Rugby Paper

We can't compete with the big dogs, admits Diamond

STEVE Diamond will be putting young players on long-term contracts to protect Newcastle from the greater spending power of every other club in the Premiership.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024