Pau punish Leicester 41-17 in Champions Cup opener
Pau beat Leicester Tigers 41-17 in France to open the Investec Champions Cup, Europe's top club competition.
The Pool One tie was played on 18 October 2026 at Stade du Hameau in Pau, according to Leicester's match hub. Leicester Tigers Irish referee Eoghan Cross took charge. BBC Sport
Pau scored five tries to Leicester's two. Winger Rodrigo Marta crossed twice, with Jon Zabala, Grandidier Nkanang and Brau-Boirie also touching down.
Fly-half Axel Desperes controlled the scoreboard. He kicked all five conversions — the two-point kicks taken after a try — plus two penalties, awarded for infringements and worth three points.
Leicester's tries came from captain Ollie Chessum and Archie van der Flier. Billy Searle added two conversions and one penalty. BBC Sport
It was a big day for Chessum. The England lock led the side on his first appearance of the season after recovering from a foot injury.
Pau also banked a bonus point. That is the extra table point given for scoring four or more tries in a game, and it can be decisive in a tight pool.
For fans, this means Leicester start on the back foot. They still have Pool One games against Clermont Auvergne, Glasgow Warriors and Leinster to come.
