Russell 'gutted' by Bath defeat as irresistible Bordeaux send out final warning to Leinster

ROARING ON: Union Bordeaux Bègles' Damian Penaud celebrates his side winning a penalty. Pic: INPHO/Gary Carr

Finn Russell insisted Bath contributed to their own downfall as they were beaten 38-26 by Bordeaux in the semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup.

Bath were chasing the reigning champions from the moment they leaked the opening try after 110 seconds but stayed within reach until Ben Tameifuna crashed over with 11 minutes left.

Inspired Bordeaux face Leinster in the final in Bilbao on May 23 and will enter the showpiece as favourites having coming through a breathless encounter at Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Metropole.

“We’re gutted,” Russell told Premier Sports. “We went behind in the first half, got ourselves back in the second half but we just didn’t really take our chances in that game.

“We gave them soft entries into our 22. There will be a lot of frustration from that game. I’m really proud of the boys, but there’s a lot of frustration from that.

“At this level you give soft penalties away and make silly mistakes you get punished for it.

“For sure we’ll be better for this, but I don’t think that will be the mindset just now, about getting better from it, because there’s a lot of frustration, a lot of disappointment.

“But when we come back in, we’ll look at this as a positive, how we build from it and how we get ready for Exeter next weekend.

“It’s obviously amazing to have reached the semi-finals but we’re gutted to have been knocked out. We’ll be back next year and we’ll give it our best again next year.” Bath’s head of rugby Johann van Graan was delighted with his team’s effort but admitted they came up short at crucial times.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the players. We gave it all we got. We left it all out on the field. We literally kept fighting until the last play,” Van Graan said.

“Key moments in big games, key moments. There were a few of them, but congratulations to Bordeaux. They are the current champions and I wish them well for the final against Leinster.

“To come here is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face. We’ve got no regrets.

“Ultimately, they were two scores better than us. We came with our heads high and we’ll certainly leave with our heads high.”