Investec Champions Cup: Saracens suffer heaviest-ever European defeat at Bordeaux Begles, Bath edge Racing 92

Bordeaux Begles ran in nine tries to thump Saracens 55-15 and book their spot in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup.

The French Top 14 side were rampant from the outset at Stade Chaban-Delmas against a lacklustre Sarries, who have now lost five of their last seven games in all competitions.

An Owen Farrell penalty briefly put the Gallagher Premiership outfit ahead before Louis Bielle-Biarrey crossed the line in the eighth minute for the hosts.

Such was their dominance, Bordeaux sealed the try-scoring bonus point before the break after further tries from Romain Buros, Maxime Lamothe and a stunner from Damian Penaud.

It took little over three second-half minutes for Bordeaux to extend their advantage as Nicolas Depoortere finished off a slick move, before Matthieu Jalibert and a second for Penaud put the result beyond doubt with half an hour still remaining.

Two tries in a minute just after the hour mark – first from Nick Tompkins and then Theo Dan – helped Saracens give the scoreboard a more respectable look but the damage had already been done.

Bordeaux didn’t relent in the closing stages and brought up the half-century with Pablo Uberti’s converted score before Bielle-Biarrey got his second with the last play of the game to cap off a biggest-ever European defeat for Saracens.

The scale of the loss for Sarries saw them fall below Bristol Bears into fifth in Pool 1 and out of the qualification spots on points difference ahead of their final game against Lyon, who have already sealed their place in the knockout phase.

Bordeaux face the Bulls next but have already qualified.

Bath secured a round of 16 place in the Champions Cup on Sunday afternoon with a come from behind 29-25 win over Racing 92.

Despite a red card for Alfie Barbeary, the home side held on for a victory which keeps their 100% record intact and takes them level with Toulouse atop Pool 2.

Nolann Le Garrec chipped over the first points of the day shortly thereafter, but Bath hit back with a penalty of their own before Barbeary returned to the field, meaning that the French side had nothing to show for their ten minute advantage.

Quick ball movement from a lineout saw Le Garrec slide over for the first try of the day in the 18th minute and he converted to give Racing a 10-3 lead.

Ben Spencer sliced a penalty attempt wide a few minutes later and Racing began to make ground with some good hole running as the half wore on.

With seven minutes left in the half, Racing lock Will Rowlands was sent to the sin bin himself. Bath took advantage of the extra man, with Thomas du Toit charging over the line from close range to make it 10-8, following another Spencer miss.

Right before the break, Henry Chavancy's interception deep in his own territory almost produced a try for the French out of nothing, but smart work from Bath fullback Tom de Glanville sealed off the break.

Three minutes into the second half, Racing extended their lead with a brilliant try. Antoine Gibert's kick found Kitione Kamikamica in space and the big number eight touched down. Another successful Le Garrec conversion made it 17-8.

Rowlands, who had been watching from the sin bin, then returned to the field to restore Racing's full complement.

Quick hands down the right then set Henry Arundell away and the England winger touched down to extend Racing's lead. Le Garrec failed to convert from the sideline, leaving the score at 22-8.

Joe Cokanasiga thought he'd struck back immediately for Bath but his try was ruled out for a forward pass in the build-up.

Barbeary was the next to almost score for Bath but the big No. 8 was held up by a host of French defenders.

The home side finally got their deserved breakthrough when Barbeary powered over. Spencer's conversion cut the gap to seven and Bath were back in it.

Three minutes later the match was level when Joe Cokanasiga outraced his pursuers to plant the ball down. Spencer's conversion made it 22-all.

Le Garrec seemed to have restored Racing's lead with 15 minutes to play, but TMO stepped in to disallow it. Le Garric had to settle for a penalty that he slotted from close range.

The match swung again in the 72nd minute when Will Muir raced onto an Ollie Lawrence pass. His try and the Spencer conversion made it 29-25.

That try secured a bonus point, ensuring Bath will be in the knockout rounds.

Moments later Barbeary was given a second yellow card, leaving his side with 14 for the final four minutes.

Racing made one last attack, but Bath held on for victory.

Defeat leaves the French side winless through three matches, but they will at least take a bonus point back to Paris.

La Rochelle thrashed Leicester Tigers 45-12 to pick up their first win of this year’s competition.

The back-to-back defending champions ran in seven tries to end Leicester’s unbeaten run and move up to fourth in Pool 3.

Pierre Bougarit opened the scoring before Will Skelton and UJ Seuteni also touched down at Stade Marcel Deflandre to give the hosts a 21-7 lead at the break after George Martin’s try for Leicester.

Teddy Thomas bagged a brace in the second half, while Joel Sclavi crossed the line and Seuteni got his second to complete a dominant and much-needed victory.

There was a late consolation score for Tigers when Dan Kelly scored in the last minute, with the defeat leaving the Gallagher Premiership side third in the group.

The only dampener on an otherwise perfect afternoon for the French Top 14 side was the lack of discipline that saw Ultan Dillane, Skelton and then Jonathan Danty all receive yellow cards.

In the final round of pool games, La Rochelle play Sale Sharks, while Leicester host Leinster at Welford Road.

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