Photos (c) Martin Bennett / Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester Rugby opened their 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup in style with a dramatic 22-17, bonus point win over Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles at Kingsholm.

The visiting side showed from the off that they were here to compete. It took them just two minutes to cross for the game’s opening score. Tight-head prop Sipili Falatea with the try. Australian fly-half Zack Holmes added the conversion from in front.

Bordeaux, obviously confident after a rapid start, looked to keep the pressure on the home side, but the Cherry & Whites found a way back into the game with a Stephen Varney try. Santi Socino broke a couple of tackles in midfield and offloaded inside to Varney who speeded over to open Gloucester’s European account for the season. Carreras had his conversion attempt charged down.

Bordeaux extended their lead 20 minutes in with a penalty from the boot of Holmes.

Gloucester had battled their way back up to the Bordeaux line with ten minutes of the half left, as they looked to take the lead for the first time in the game. But a penalty for Bordeaux for Mati Alemanno lifting a leg in the ruck let the visitors off the hook.

The French side began the second half as they did the first. Ex Wasps man Tom Willis crossed for their second try of the game. Holmes added the kick from out wide.

Albert Tuisue, who had entered the field as an early HIA replacement for Cam Jordan, had brought a significant amount of power to the Cherry & Whites attack. The Fijian made a number of line breaks and just after the hour mark, bundled his way over for a try. Carreras couldn’t land a tricky conversion from the touchline.

The Cherry & Whites were on a roll now and with the roar of the Shed behind them they were closing Bordeaux’s lead down.

Santi Socino has been in prolific form in the Gallagher Premiership this season, scoring several tries from the driving maul. After referee Craig Evans reversed a penalty on the Bordeaux 22, Carreras kicked into the corner and Socino scored his first Champions Cup try of the season from the resulting maul.

And Gloucester Rugby completed the comeback with two minutes left thanks to Charlie Chapman. Alemanno had burst through in midfield and offloaded inside to the scrum-half who jogged in under the posts. The try also wrapped up a bonus point for the Cherry & Whites.

Carreras added the extras and Gloucester took all five points from their first match of the Heineken Champions Cup, winning 22-17.

The Cherry & Whites face a tough trip to Dublin next weekend to face Leinster.

Gloucester Rugby claim late bonus point win over Bordeaux-Begles

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