Damian Penaud put on a dazzling display at Sandy Park, leading Bordeaux-Begles to a commanding 69-17 victory over the Exeter Chiefs in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday. 

The French winger crossed the try line three times in a match that showcased Bordeaux’s attacking prowess and left the Chiefs reeling.

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The tone was set early, with Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu scoring the first try in the ninth minute, converted by Matthieu Jalibert. Penaud followed with his first try just five minutes later, helping the visitors surge ahead 14-5 after a brief response from Exeter’s Paul Brown-Bampoe. 

One Way Traffic

Despite a promising start, Exeter struggled to contain Bordeaux’s relentless attack, as further tries from Maxime Lamothe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey extended the French side's lead to 31-5 by halftime.

The Chiefs rallied briefly after the break, with Brown-Bampoe and Ben Hammersley adding tries, but Bordeaux’s fluid combination of pace and precision proved insurmountable. 

Penaud scored again in the 43rd minute, capitalizing on a well-executed move, before capping his hat trick with a clinical finish in the 76th minute. Jalibert’s accurate boot added 17 points, solidifying Bordeaux’s dominance.

The visitors’ onslaught continued with tries from Cyril Cazeaux, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yann Lesgourgues and Jalibert, ensuring a rout that leaves Bordeaux in strong contention for the tournament’s knockout stages.

Exeter’s frustrations boiled over late in the game, with Bordeaux’s Toma Taufa receiving a red card in the 68th minute. However, the man disadvantage did little to slow Bordeaux’s momentum, as UBB closed out the game emphatically.

Penaud’s performance earned him the spotlight, but Bordeaux’s collective effort, characterized by sharp passing and clinical finishing, underscored the squad's superiority. 

For Exeter, it was a humbling evening, as the Chiefs' defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed.

The win propels Bordeaux to the top of its pool, while Exeter faces an uphill battle to stay in contention. 

For the Chiefs, a swift regrouping will be essential, but Bordeaux’s Penaud left little doubt about the French side’s intentions in this year’s competition.

Exeter Chiefs Vs. Bordeaux-Begles Scoring Summary

Exeter Chiefs

Tries: Brown-Bampoe (7’, 47’), Hammersley (69’)

Conversions: Slade (48’)

Bordeaux-Begles

Tries: Lucu (9’, 30’), Penaud (14’, 43’, 76’), Lamothe (40’+2), Bielle-Biarrey (35’, 61’), Cazeaux (54’), Jalibert (63’), Lesgourgues (65’)

Conversions: Jalibert (10’, 15’, 31’, 54’, 63’, 77’)

What's Next For Exeter Chiefs And Bordeaux-Begles?

The Chiefs will conclude their campaign against Ulster Rugby in Belfast, while Bordeaux will host the Hollywoodbets Sharks.

Investec Champions Cup 2025 Round 3 Schedule

All Times Eastern

• Glasgow Warriors 29, Racing 92 19
• DHL Stormers 40 vs. Sale Sharks 0, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 8 a.m., DHL Stadium
• Exeter Chiefs vs. Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:15 AM, Sandy Park
• Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Stade Toulousain, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:15 a.m., Hollywoodbets Kings Park
• Munster Rugby vs. Saracens, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 12:30 p.m., Thomond Park
• Stade Francais Paris vs. Northampton Saints, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 12:30 p.m., Stade Jean Bouin
• Leicester Tigers vs. Ulster Rugby, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3 p.m., Mattioli Woods Welford Road
• Castres Olympique vs. Vodacom Bulls, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3 p.m., Stade Pierre-Fabre
• RC Toulon vs. Harlequins, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 8 a.m., Stade Felix Mayol
• Stade Rochelais vs. Leinster Rugby, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 10:15 a.m., Stade Marcel Deflandre
• Bristol Bears vs. Benetton Rugby, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 10:15 a.m., Ashton Gate
• Bath Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 12:30 p.m., The Rec

Investec Champions Cup Fixtures In Round 4

• Ulster Rugby vs. Exeter Chiefs, Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 3 PM, Kingspan Stadium
• Vodacom Bulls vs. Stade Francais Paris, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8 AM, Loftus Versfeld
• Northampton Saints vs. Munster Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens
• ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Bristol Bears, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Marcel-Michelin
• Benetton Rugby vs. Stade Rochelais, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Stadio Monigo
• Leinster Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Aviva Stadium
• Harlequins vs. Glasgow Warriors, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Twickenham Stoop
• Racing 92 vs. DHL Stormers, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Paris La Defense Arena
• Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 8 AM, Stade Chaban-Delmas
• Saracens vs. Castres Olympique, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, StoneX Stadium
• Stade Toulousain vs. Leicester Tigers, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Ernest Wallon
• Sale Sharks vs. RC Toulon, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 12:30 PM, Salford Community Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Format 

Key points of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:

• A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
• 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four pools of six
• Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
• Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16
• The Investec Champions Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

Investec Champions Cup Weekends

• Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
• Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
• Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
• Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
• Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
• Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
• Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
• 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, May 24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

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When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?

The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4. 

The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

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