Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored twice against Perpignan

Paris (France) (AFP) - France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey came off the bench to guide Bordeaux-Begles to a nervy 37-32 home win over lowly Perpignan in the French Top 14 on Saturday, a week out from the Champions Cup final.

Bielle-Biarrey was brought on at half-time before scoring twice and assisting on a third try seven days before the Champions Cup holders face four-time winners Leinster in next Saturday’s decider in Bilbao.

The 22-year-old also intercepted an 82nd minute grubber kick on his own line to deny the Catalans’ winger Jefferson-Lee Joseph a certain match-winner.

Bielle-Biarrey’s contribution kept his side among the pace-setters for the Top 14 play-offs as they moved seven points clear of Racing 92 in seventh place.

“It’s not an excuse, we’re trying and compete in both competitions,” Bordeaux-Begles captain Maxime Lucu told Canal Plus.

“We have to grow up a bit and play well in both halves and we didn’t manage that.

“We have an incredible week ahead of us, going to Bilbao to play Leinster, there’s nothing better,” the Basque scrum-half added.

Perpignan had sensed a serious upset when they led 24-12 at the break and then 32-31 in the final quarter of an hour but knew they will be featuring in the relegation/promotion play-off even before kick-off.

Bordeaux-Begles head coach Yannick Bru named a mixed side, choosing to rest Bielle-Biarrey and Lucu on the bench.

The Catalans’ advantage at the interval was down to South African full-back Tristan Tedder’s steady boot as he kicked nine points.

At half-time, Bru sent on a host of first-choice players, including Bielle-Biarrey and Lucu.

Bielle-Biarrey scored his opening touchdown and set-up lock Cyril Cazeaux in the first six minutes of the second-half before Lucu’s conversion claimed the lead.

Bielle-Biarrey’s second try, and 32nd of the season for club and country, came with 22 minutes to go before a crucial defensive intervention with the clock in the red.

Elsewhere, another Bleus winger, Theo Attissogbe, claimed the winner as Pau edged Clermont 24-19.

Australia full-back Tom Banks scored his fifth try of the season in Montpellier’s 36-33 victory at Castres and Stade Francais hammered already-relegated Montauban 75-23.

Later on Saturday, Racing 92 welcome Toulon knowing a loss would put Pau, Montpellier and Stade Francais in the play-offs.

On Sunday, champions Toulouse need just one point to claim an automatic spot in the semi-finals as they head to La Rochelle.