It was a tough afternoon for the Bristol Bears in France, as their European hopes came to an end at the hands of Bordeaux-Begles.
Bristol went into an early lead, with Henry Purdy crossing after just six minutes before Callum Sheedy and Bordeaux’s Mattheiu Jallibert exchanged penalties to send the home side in to the break 15-14 ahead.
After a first half without incident, the second was full of it.
The second brought two yellow cards, numerous TMO interferences and a few decisions that the Bears may have strong reason to feel aggrieved with.
Despite this, it’s safe to say that the Bears weren’t on top form, producing an error strewn performance against a Bordeaux side that neutralised Bristol’s attacking threat.
Rugby reporter Sam Bytheway analyses the individual performances ...
15. Charles Piutau – 7
Despite not having the open field running opportunities he is so used too, Piutau still managed to make more metres (111) than anyone on the pitch, bar Luke Morahan.
To do this when he was so often stifled by the strong press of the Bordeaux defence is credit to just how dangerous Piutau can be.
The former All-Black had some difficulties defensively, missing three tackles, but overall it was a good return from injury.
14. Luke Morahan – 7
As mentioned, it was Morahan who made the games most attacking metres in terms of metres made, with a total of 125.
It was a strong display from the Australian as he caused problems to the Bordeaux defenders with limited opportunities.
Morahan also did not have much to do in defence, with much of the action taking place through the middle of the pitch.
13. Semi Radradra – 6
Bristol so often look to him in times of difficulty, looking for the Fijian to pull out some magic which he so often does – but even Radradra couldn’t conjure anything against his former club.
The former Bordeaux man made just a minimal 17 attacking metres, and also struggled at times with his handling. It was also a slightly poor display defensively, missing two of his seven tackle attempts
12. Alapati Leiua – 5
The Bears at times missed some kind of attacking threat, with Alapati Leiua struggling to offer the same impact as Piers O’Conor does.
Leiua managed just three attacking carries and the Samoan also struggled in the tackle, missing 50 percent of his tackles.
11. Henry Purdy – 7
The wing consistently shows his versatility as well as how strong he is as an attacking option and this was shown with try as well as his attacking threat.
Purdy finished his first half score well and despite being put in a strong position he still had work to do.
The former also Gloucester man also did excellently to be in the position to score in the second half before he was denied by outstanding defence, which caused him to lose control as he was crossing the line.
10. Callum Sheedy (c) – 7
It was a day of learning for Sheedy as he led his side out in a big game.
The Welshmen was forced to communicate on numerous occasions with referee Mike Adamson and was heard getting visibly aggrieved and had to be warned about his communication.
In terms of attacking play, it was a mixed display with some beautiful handling shown and some kicks that with a right bounce would of cause chaos for the Bordeaux defence.
9. Andy Uren – 6
It seemed like after his staggering shifts over recent weeks, Uren’s energy levels were running low as he didn’t offer the impact and dynamism we’ve become accustom to in recent months.
The scrum-half managed just three carries across his hour on the pitch, and he also struggled in defence, missing four tackles while making just two.
1. Yann Thomas – 6
It was a quiet, unassuming display from Yann Thomas as he left the field on 52 minutes having made 0 carries.
Despite being strong in the tackle, the Bears forwards at times struggled against the aggression and physicality of the Bordeaux pack, which meant the Bears set-piece ball was slow and patchy.
2. Bryan Byrne – 5
So often the Bears go to forward attacking threat, it was a disappointing day all round for the Irish hooker.
Not only did he fail to make an impact with ball-in hand, the Bears line-out was constantly off the boil with Byrne’s throwing being wayward numerous times, including in strong positions.
3. Kyle Sinckler – 6
Like Yann Thomas, it was a quiet day for Sinckler as he returned to a starting shirt. He made just two attacking metres from four carries as he struggled to carry the Bears over the gain-line.
Despite the quite attacking day, it was a solid defensive showing and he also won his side a penalty at scrum-time.
4. Dave Attwood – 6
As with many others in the Bears side, it was a tough outing in terms of attack for Attwood as he was stifled by the onslaught of the Bordeaux defence.
Attwood didn’t manage a single carry across his hour on the pitch and was also not the usual menace he usually is across the pitch.
5. Joe Joyce – 7
The Bristolian brought his usual aggression and determination in both attack and defence.
Joyce carried hard, making 23 metres from just seven carries alongside one clean break. In defence, Joyce was faultless making ten tackles without missing one.
6. Chris Vui – 7
He was potentially lucky to last a full 80 minutes if the Bordeaux bench had their wish, with the Samoan being questioned for a shoulder to the head.
But, alas he survived and he continued to bring his strong defence and leadership to the Bears side, making up for the absence of Steve Luatua.
Vui attacked strong and also put his body on the line in the tackle as he fought hard for his side.
7. Dan Thomas – 8
Once again Dan Thomas was everywhere for the Bristol Bears as he went from ruck to ruck, tackle to tackle fighting for the Bears cause.
Despite not having much attacking impact against Bordeaux, Thomas was an immovable force in defence, making a game high 15 tackles in an excellent performance from the Welshmen.
8. Nathan Hughes – 7
It was a faultless defensive display from Nathan Hughes as he didn’t miss a tackle, making eight during his 45-minute shift.
The former England back-row is still noticeably coming back to full fitness, but despite this he still fought hard both in attack and defence.
Replacements
16. Will Capon (on for Byrne 59‘) – 6
Offered plenty around the park as he aimed to give his side the edge in attack but his line-out throwing let him down, in particular on the final minutes.
17. Max Lahiff (on for Thomas 52‘) – 6
One drop gave Bordeaux a counter-attacking opportunity but was mostly solid.
18. John Afoa (on for Sinckler 52‘) – 8
Some absolutely first-class off-loads through midfield opened up Bordeaux.
19. Ed Holmes (on for Attwood 63‘) – 6
Some good support running from the replacement forward.
20. Ben Earl (on for Hughes 46‘) – 7
Tried to get things moving for the Bears but couldn't find the breakthrough.
21. Harry Randall (on for Uren 59‘) – 7
Was able to speed the Bears play up around the fringes but had to leave the contest with a shoulder injury.
22. Sam Bedlow (on for Randall 75‘) – N/A
23. Piers O’Conor (on for Leiua 46‘) – 8
His impact was exactly what was missed from the start as he brought attacking dynamism and threat from the get-go.
