Bath beaten by Bordeaux in pulsating Champions Cup semi-final

Investec Champions Cup semi-final

Bordeaux-Begles (24) 38

Tries: Gazzotti, Bielle-Biarrey, Lucu, Tameifuna, Matiu Cons: Lucu 5 Pens: Lucu

Bath (12) 26

Tries: Muir 2, Hennessey, Carr-Smith Cons: Russell 3

Bath were outgunned by Bordeaux-Begles on France's Atlantic coast in the English side's first top-tier European semi-final in 20 years.

Billed pre-game as Bordeaux's organised chaos versus Bath's structured efficiency, the French side's style prevailed as Bath were eventually worn down by the game's relentless pace.

At the sold-out 42,000-seater Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Metropole, the Champions Cup holders delivered a blistering first half with tries for Marko Gazzotti, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Maxime Lucu.

Prem champions Bath were always underdogs but went blow for blow for the opening half hour, wing Will Muir twice getting on the scoresheet.

In a game of international quality the key match-ups were everywhere - Bielle-Biarrey v Henry Arundell, Matthieu Jalibert v Finn Russell - but it was young centre Louie Hennessey who got Bath's third try at the beginning of the second half.

From there Bordeaux took over, with substitute Ben Tameifuna powering over to exert control on the scoreboard and Temo Matiu putting the result beyond Bath, despite Tom Carr-Smith's late consolation.

Bath's wait for another trophy in this competition will stretch to 29 years, while reigning champions Bordeaux earn the chance to go back to back against Leinster in three weeks' time.

Line-ups

Bordeaux-Begles: Rayasi; Uberti, Penaud, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Lucu (c); Perchaud, Lamothe, Sadie, Palu, Coleman, Bochaton, Woki, Gazzotti

Replacements: Barlot, Boniface, Tameifuna, Cazeaux, Vergnes-Taillefer, Matiu, Retiere, Hugo Reus

Bath: Carreras; Arundell, Hennessey, Lawrence, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewels, Bayliss, Pepper, Barbeary

Replacements: Tuipulotu, Van Wyk, Sela, Hill, Underhill, Carr-Smith, De Glanville, Reid

Sin-bin: Ewels (67)

Match officials

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Assistant referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

Ben Whitehouse (Wales)