Leicester, Leinster, Bordeaux record round two Champions Cup wins
Leicester have coasted to a 56-17 victory against the Sharks in Pool One of the Investec Champions Cup at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. The South African visitors were without a number of Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi, and Leicester tore them apart.
Hooker Julian Montoya scored two early tries before wing Ollie Hassell-Collins and centre Solomone Kata crossed, with Tigers collecting a bonus-point after just 35 minutes. Fly-half Handre Pollard added a fifth try before the interval – he also kicked six conversions for a 17-point haul.
A Jack van Poortvliet touch down took Tigers past 40 points and forwards Charlie Clare and Emeka Ilione completed the rout, with Jamie Shillcock landing two conversions.
Pool Two favourites Leinster backed up their impressive victory over Bristol Bears by beating Clermont Auvergne 15-7 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Garry Ringrose and Jordie Barrett scored first-half tries after Alivereti Raka claimed an early Clermont score, with Leinster fly-half Sam Prendergast adding a conversion and penalty.
Ulster’s hopes of progressing from Pool One suffered another setback after they lost 40-19 against Bordeaux-Begles in Belfast. A week after conceding 60 points to Champions Cup holders Toulouse, Ulster led 19-14 at half-time following tries from Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney and Werner Kok.
Bordeaux, though, overwhelmed Ulster after the break as Damian Penaud, Guido Petti, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Ugo Boniface claimed the tries that followed a first-half penalty try and a score for Tevita Tatafu.
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what is happening to the south african sides? they did well in the champions cup last year. this year they collectively have 1 win from 6 games, and there's a decent chance they won't have any teams in the last 16
I think it's hard to grasp the effect of long lasting fatigue following a super packed season. The Springboks have won a world cup, then SA clubs did ok in club competitions right after and then the boks had a great 2024 year. Fatigue have to come in at some point. Yes the trips are an issue but I really think for the sake of the SA (and Argentinian, who have a similar schedule) players, a deal should be found to let them have more rest every year.
Many criticized France for resting their best players in the summer, at the cost of the attractivity of the series, but the answer to the current debate about the Champion cup might be partly found in this type of management.
and no clue how to run supporting lines. always waiting for teammate to go to ground for next phase
Too slow in reaction time and spatial awareness. too much muscle not enough quickness