Ulster welcomed Bordeaux to Kingspan Stadium back in December for what started as a close encounter. The crowd were subsequently muted at 61 minutes, following an impressive try from Damian Penaud, which gave the French side a clear lead, before they scored several more tries in the coming minutes, putting Ulster to the sword. Bordeaux left Belfast with a 19-40 victory and maximin points in the bag.

How it stands

Players to watch

Louis Bielle-Biarrey:

One of rugby’s brightest young talents, Bielle-Biarrey has made a name for himself with blistering pace and a sharp eye for the try line. The 21-year-old broke into the French national team and made his mark on the world stage with three tries in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Bielle-Biarrey showcased his skills and acceleration when in Belfast, blitzing up the left wing to touch-down in the 71st minute.

A versatile back, the young international played at Fly-half for Bordeaux last weekend, scoring against Racing 92 and adding to his tally of points for the season.

Damian Penaud:

Penaud has been a household name for many years now, picking up 56 senior appearances for France, dating back to 2017.

Ulster fans will be all too familiar with his skillset and work-rate, as it was Penaud that created the try that shifted the momentum back in Round 2, helping his side to victory back in Belfast in December. He was also named Player of the Match in Round 1, when his side faced Hollywoodbets Sharks at home.