Leinster 19-41 Bordeaux Beagles: ‘A very high mountain’ as the wait for Leinster continues

Leinster traveled to Bilbao dreaming of a fifth European star to add to their badge.

They were hoping to make amends in the Basque city, site of their last Champions Cup win in 2018, where they could wash away the pain of their previous four defeats.

However, having been caught off guard by Bordeaux’s impressive first-half performance, this will arguably hurt more than most.

Players and staff spoke of the “fine margins” of previous final defeats, but on Saturday the gulf was much clearer.

Tommy O’Brien played in an early cross but what followed was a display of strength and poise, largely dictated by Maxime Loco, Mathieu Jalibert and Louis-Pierre-Pierre.

By the time Yoram Moivana raced under the posts after intercepting Harry Byrne’s pass at the end of the first half, the game was over and Bordeaux prevailed 35-7.

Leinster improved after the restart and Bordeaux’s performance was not entirely smooth sailing, but the damage was done and the top 14 side cruised to a 41-19 win.

“I think one of the themes of the season is finding a way,” captain Kellan Doris told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“We fell behind a few times and there was composure and finding a way, but despite a good effort in the second half, the mountain was too high to climb.”