The new Champions Cup season is only just under way but the defending champions Bordeaux are already having to battle for everything. The French side, chasing a third consecutive crown, were forced to weather a furious effort from a revitalised Gloucester in an outstanding contest and ultimately had to settle for a draw to complete a highly eventful visit to England.
Four visiting players, including Louis Bielle-Biarrey, were held up for four hours on arrival by UK Border Control for failing to have a valid electronic travel authorisation (ETA), but stopping their star winger on the field tends to be slightly harder. The French international, in his familiar red scrum cap, darted over for two sharp tries but could not quite prevent the Cherry and Whites from claiming a share of the spoils.
