Bordeaux-Begles vs Exeter Chiefs match report: Marco Tauleigne crosses the line to leave Chiefs on brink of Euro exit

Bordeaux-Begles 34 Exeter Chiefs 27

Bordeaux's Baptiste Serin (L) tackles Exeter's Botha Chrysander (R) during the European Champions Cup (Getty Images)

Exeter pushed Bordeaux-Bègles close in France but a 34-27 defeat has left the Chiefs with a mountain to climb to progress in the European Champions Cup.

Dave Lewis, Byron McGuigan and Max Bodily all scored tries as a second-string Exeter rattled their French hosts. But they fell agonisingly short in the end as Bordeaux claimed maximum points with a five-try performance.

Marco Tauleigne scored the winning try nine minutes from time after Adam Ashley-Cooper, Blair Connor, Louis-Benoît Madaule and Benat Auzqui had all crossed earlier. The result leaves Exeter with 11 points from five matches in Pool Two, five points adrift of leaders Ospreys, three behind Clermont Auvergne and level with Bordeaux.

All four sides still have a chance of getting through but Exeter, who host Ospreys in their final match, know they are now up against it.

Matt Jess and Elvis Taione both threatened for the visitors early on but it was Bordeaux who were dominating and they took the lead with two tries in quick succession.

Former Wallaby Ashley-Cooper picked up a loose ball from Julien Rey’s break to cross after 13 minutes and then Connor followed just three minutes later from Pierre Bernard’s pass. Fly-half Bernard missed both conversions to restrict Bordeaux’s lead to 10-3, but he was successful with his third shot at goal as he slotted over a 23rd-minute penalty.

Exeter were struggling for possession but hit back with a classic counter-attack. McGuigan ran back a loose kick before sending scrum-half Lewis racing over.

Hooley’s conversion made it a three-point game but Bordeaux’s response was immediate. Yann Lesgourgues’ burst along the left-hand touchline ended with captain Madaule driving over.

Yet Exeter again found a way back as Michele Campagnaro released McGuigan for a try that Hooley converted before adding a penalty to square matters at half-time.

Ashley-Cooper had a second try ruled out by the video official but replacement Tauleigne broke clear soon after for the decisive score.

Exeter had late chances and were helped when Bordeaux were reduced to 14 men for the final four minutes with a yellow card for prop Sebastien Taofifenua, but the visitors could not find a scoring pass to claim either a bonus point or draw.

Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We’re disappointed but I can’t rip into the players because we came so close.”

Bordeaux-Bègles: J Buttin; M Talebula (F Le Bourhis, 61), A Ashley-Cooper, J Rey, B Connor (B Serin, 62); P Bernard (L Beauxis, 53), Y Lesgourgues; J Poirot (S Taofifenua, 50), O Avei (B Auzqui, 50-71), F Kodela (S Kepu, 50; sin-bin 77), J Marais, A Jaulhac (C Cazeaux, 63), L Madaule (F Kodela, 79), H Chalmers, L Goujon (capt, M Tauleigne, 45).

Exeter: B McGuigan; O Woodburn, M Campagnaro, M Bodilly (C Botha, 73), M Jess; W Hooley (sin-bin, 68-78), D Lewis (H Thomas, 73); M Low (C Rimmer, 72), E Taione (S Malton, 53), A Brown (A Hepburn, 49), O Atkins, J Hill (S Skinner, 56), T Johnson (J Salvi, 69), B White (G Steenson, 69), K Horstmann (capt).

Referee: J Lacey (Ireland).