Champions Cup 2025/26 · Round of 16
Bordeaux-Bègles
Leicester Tigers
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
Championship Standings
Bordeaux-Bègles topped Group 4 with a perfect 4/4 record and 20 points — joint-best in the entire competition alongside Glasgow. Leicester scraped into the knockout rounds from Group 3 with just 1 win from 4, qualifying only on point differential ahead of La Rochelle.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bordeaux-Bègles | 4 | 4 | 0 | +76 | 20 |
| 2 |  Glasgow Warriors | 4 | 4 | 0 | +49 | 20 |
| 3 |  Leinster | 4 | 4 | 0 | +35 | 18 |
| 4 |  Bath | 4 | 3 | 1 | +91 | 16 |
| 5 |  Northampton Saints | 4 | 3 | 1 | +46 | 16 |
| 6 |  Harlequins | 4 | 3 | 1 | +98 | 15 |
| 7 |  Bristol Bears | 4 | 3 | 1 | +50 | 14 |
| 8 |  RC Toulon | 4 | 3 | 1 | +17 | 14 |
| 9 |  Stormers | 4 | 3 | 1 | −8 | 14 |
| 10 |  Toulouse | 4 | 2 | 2 | +94 | 12 |
| 11 |  Sale Sharks | 4 | 2 | 2 | −38 | 11 |
| 12 |  Saracens | 4 | 2 | 2 | +13 | 10 |
| 13 |  Castres Olympique | 4 | 2 | 2 | −8 | 10 |
| 14 |  Sharks | 4 | 2 | 2 | −10 | 10 |
| 15 |  Edinburgh | 4 | 2 | 2 | −71 | 10 |
| 16 |  Munster | 4 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 8 |
| 17 |  Bulls | 4 | 1 | 3 | −68 | 7 |
| 18 | Leicester Tigers | 4 | 1 | 3 | +3 | 6 |
| 19 |  La Rochelle | 4 | 1 | 3 | −13 | 6 |
| 20 |  Gloucester | 4 | 1 | 3 | −27 | 6 |
| 21 |  Section Paloise | 4 | 1 | 3 | −50 | 6 |
| 22 |  Scarlets | 4 | 0 | 4 | −54 | 3 |
| 23 |  Clermont | 4 | 0 | 4 | −108 | 0 |
| 24 |  Bayonne | 4 | 0 | 4 | −115 | 0 |
Bordeaux-Bègles
W4, L0Bordeaux have been devastating in Europe this season — 173 points scored in four pool matches, averaging over 43 per game. They put 50 on both Scarlets and Northampton at Chaban-Delmas, won comfortably in Pretoria against the Bulls, and clinched top seeding with a professional 27–15 win at Bristol. Their home record is particularly ominous — 100 points scored across two home pool fixtures.
Leicester Tigers
W1, L3Leicester's European campaign has been a tale of two tiers. They demolished Bayonne 57–14 at Welford Road but lost all three matches against quality opposition — 20–39 at La Rochelle, 15–23 at home to Leinster, and 26–39 away to the Stormers. The pattern is clear: Leicester can bully weaker sides but struggle badly when the opposition steps up. That's a problem when you're heading to Bordeaux.
Head-to-Head Record
1 – 0 – 2
Bordeaux wins · Draws · Leicester wins (3 meetings, all in Champions Cup)
Bordeaux-Bègles (1)These sides have met three times, all in European competition. Leicester won both encounters in December 2021 and January 2022 — a 16–13 away win in Bordeaux followed by a 28–0 demolition at Welford Road. But the most recent meeting in December 2024 saw Bordeaux exact revenge with a comprehensive 42–28 victory at Chaban-Delmas, scoring six tries in an explosive display.
Recent Results
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | Champions Cup | Bordeaux-Bègles 42–28 Leicester |
| Jan 2022 | Champions Cup | Leicester 28–0 Bordeaux-Bègles |
| Dec 2021 | Champions Cup | Bordeaux-Bègles 13–16 Leicester |
Average score in the last 6 meetings: Bordeaux 32 – Leicester 15. The most recent meeting — a 42–28 Bordeaux win at this ground — is the most relevant indicator.
Extended Form
Bordeaux-Bègles14W, 8L (last 12 months)
Champions Cup: W4 L0 (46–33 Bulls A, 50–21 Scarlets H, 50–28 Northampton H, 27–15 Bristol A). Won the 2024/25 Champions Cup — beat Ulster (43–31), Munster (47–29), Toulouse (35–18 SF), and Northampton (28–20 Final). Top 14: strong but not flawless — beat Toulouse 44–20, thrashed Racing 62–20, but lost to Pau (39–17), Stade Francais (33–28), Clermont (34–19), and Montpellier (28–24).
Bordeaux are the reigning Champions Cup holders and they've barely slowed down. Their European pedigree is extraordinary — 12 consecutive Champions Cup wins dating back to December 2024. In the Top 14, they occasionally slip against mid-table sides away from home, but at Chaban-Delmas they are a different beast entirely. The 44–20 dismantling of Toulouse at home underlined their status as France's form team.
Leicester Tigers13W, 7L (last 12 months)
Champions Cup: W1 L3 this season. Premiership: on an outstanding domestic run — beat Bath (46–21), Exeter (66–14), Harlequins (33–27, 36–7), Saracens (36–28 H, 31–26 A), Gloucester (45–14, 36–17). Losses to Exeter (24–10), Bristol (42–24), Northampton (32–26, 40–22). Won the Prem Cup beating Bath, Exeter, Harlequins, Saracens, and Northampton en route.
Leicester's domestic form is excellent — they've won 8 straight in the Premiership/Prem Cup since late January, including a stunning 66–14 rout of Exeter and wins over Bath and Saracens. But their European record tells a different story. They've lost to every top-tier opponent they've faced in the Champions Cup — La Rochelle, Leinster, and the Stormers. The step up in class from Premiership to knockout European rugby has been too steep.
Bordeaux-Bègles XV
Lineups have not yet been announced for this fixture. Bordeaux are expected to be near full-strength with their French internationals — Jalibert, Bielle-Biarrey, Penaud, Depoortere — all available following the conclusion of the Six Nations. Key forwards Woki, Boniface, and Du Preez provide a massive pack. Update when the team is confirmed.
Leicester Tigers XV
Lineups have not yet been announced. Leicester will likely build around their England contingent — Steward at fullback, Chessum in the second row, Van Poortvliet at scrum-half, and Heyes at tighthead. The key question is whether Hamish Watson and George Martin will both be available in the backrow. Update when the team is confirmed.
Key Matchups
Bordeaux's squad depth is frightening. Jalibert orchestrating behind a dominant scrum — anchored by the colossal Tameifuna — gives them front-foot ball that Lucu can exploit with his razor-sharp box-kicking and snipe game. The back three of Bielle-Biarrey, Penaud, and Buros is arguably the most dangerous in European rugby, combining pace, aerial ability, and finishing instinct. Leicester's best hope lies in their backrow — Watson's breakdown work and Martin's carrying — and in Steward's aerial command at fullback. But across the park, Bordeaux have the edge in almost every position.
Match Forecast
This is a mismatch on paper and likely on the pitch. Bordeaux are the reigning champions, topped their group with a perfect record, and have won 12 consecutive Champions Cup matches. At Chaban-Delmas they've scored 100 points in two home pool games this season. Leicester's European form — 1 win from 4, with losses to La Rochelle, Leinster, and the Stormers — paints a bleak picture. Every time the Tigers have faced a genuine top-tier European opponent this season, they've lost, often by double digits.
Leicester's domestic Premiership form is outstanding — 8 straight wins including a 66–14 demolition of Exeter — but the step up to knockout European rugby in Bordeaux is an entirely different challenge. The Tigers' backrow of Watson, Martin, and Reffell can compete at the breakdown, and Steward's aerial game gives them a foothold. But Bordeaux's firepower across the backline — Jalibert pulling the strings, Bielle-Biarrey's electric pace, Penaud's finishing — should prove too much. The last time these teams met at this ground, Bordeaux won 42–28 and they're an even better side now.
Bordeaux to win comfortably by 20+ points — the defending champions are a class apart at Chaban-Delmas.