Gloucester and holders Bordeaux Begles kicked off their Investec Champions Cup campaign with an exhilarating 36-36 draw at Kingsholm. The French side, aiming for a third consecutive Champions Cup victory, found themselves trailing for much of the match.
Gloucester led 24-17 at half-time and extended their advantage to 36-29 after replacement Will Trenholm scored two tries in the second half. However, France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey quickly responded with his second try of the game, converted by Maxime Lucu, levelling the score.
Neither team could secure a winning moment in the gripping finale. Before kick-off, a moment's silence was observed in memory of Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who died on Friday aged 31. Further tributes are planned across the opening round of Champions Cup games.