It was a duel of leaders, he turned to the advantage of the double European champion, clinical and perhaps a little more disciplined than the UBB in the eyes of the uncompromising Irish referee Andrew Brace, an old acquaintance of rugby French.

There will surely be complaints about certain decisions not all understood by the Girondin camp which nevertheless led 13-10, took the ascendancy but was then punished by two penalties from the metronome George Ford, king of the occupation ground.

Steve Borthwick's men, sure of their strategy - pressure, occupation, reward - which they recited to perfection, first registered, as in the parade and in numerical superiority - yellow card for Douglas (18th) - the first try of the game: a reversal of attack with a sharp stroke of Bryce Hegarty then goes into a bell for Guy Porter at the conclusion (10-3, 21st).

The response of the Bordelais, short of breath and losing the battle of the occupation, came just before half-time, again in numerical superiority (yellow card for Hosea Saumaki): a first-hand test signed Jean-Baptiste Dubié , served at height by Yoram Moefana, for a welcome equalizer at the break (10-10).

On the return, Ford had some misfires, on a penalty, a direct touch, which reversed the trend.

The Bordeaux grip then allowed Maxime Lucu to put his people in front (13-10, 53rd), without follow-up, despite several strong moments badly concluded by volunteers from Bordeaux, a little too much for Mr. Brace.

In a tense end of the match, the UBB was signaled twice at fault, on a scrum pushed across (69th), then on a tackler not leaving the ruck zone (77th).

Two offerings that Ford did not miss to offer a precious victory to its colors.

Calum Green at the reception of a touch for the Leicester Tigers winners at Bordeaux-Bègles, December 11, 2021 ROMAIN PERROCHEAU AFP

This home defeat is already compromising the chances of Christophe Urios' team, especially since it will be necessary to go in January to Welford Road Stadium, the den of the Tigers who have continued their faultless since the start of the season: ten wins in ten matches.

© 2021 AFP