Lightning Delays Bordeaux Bègles Vs Bath by 10 Minutes

Bordeaux Bègles vs Bath was pushed back 10 minutes in Bordeaux after lightning strikes near the stadium interrupted the Champions Cup semi-final build-up. The match had been due to kick off at 3pm BST, with Bath walking into their first European semi-final for two decades.

Bordeaux Rain and Lightning

Rain had already fallen before kick-off, then the weather turned enough to force the delay. The start time slipped while both sides waited in Bordeaux, where Bath’s travelling support was outnumbered by UBB’s home fan base.

That pause added a little more strain to a fixture already carrying weight. Bordeaux were defending the Champions Cup title they won against Northampton last year, while Bath arrived with a smaller following and a big ask in front of a local crowd.

Barbeary and the Shortlist

Alfie Barbeary, Bath’s 25-year-old No 8, was one of five contenders on the Champions Cup player of the year shortlist. The uncapped Englishman was there alongside Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Finn Russell, Matthieu Jalibert and Caelan Doris, a group that put Bath and Bordeaux at the center of the tournament’s individual awards race as well as the semi-final itself.

Barbeary’s own build-up was unusual even by rugby standards. He said of Bordeaux’s wine country, “I know there’s red and white but that’s about it,” while Bath fly-half Finn Russell remained one of the names opponents were expected to target.

Dallaglio Backs Bath

Lawrence Dallaglio set the tone before the delay with a blunt message on the broadcast: “I back the away team … I love the underdog” and “They’ve got to stand up today.” Bath then heard Ollie Lawrence underline the scale of the challenge, saying, “They’re probably thinking – how do they stop Finn Russell or Thomas du Toit?”

He added, “We respect them, but we don’t fear them.” That left Bath with a clear edge to chase once the lightning warning passed and play was finally due to begin, in a stadium where the home noise already had the numbers.