Borders go down fighting

Proud Borders coach Steve Bates was brimming with admiration for his men, who had travelled to Biarritz as no-hopers but pushed the French side all the way.

The Scots came close to creating the biggest ever Heineken Cup shock with the scores level at 17-17 with three minutes left.

Brilliant play by substitute Dimitri Yachvili set up two late tries for Sireli Bobo as Biarritz won 27-17.

But Bates declared: "The guys were absolutely fantastic. There were some great performances - and some very great performances."

Bates picked out the senior members of his squad for special mention, saying: "Hooker Steve Scott was instrumental at getting our line-out to function, while the likes of Stuart Grimes and Gregor Townsend had contributed hugely in terms of preparation for the game.

"The defence was marvellous throughout the match and it took a couple of pieces of absolute brilliance by Yachvili to enable Biarritz to win.

"We have learned a tremendous amount from the experience of the two games against such quality opposition and now the task is to take this form into the remainder of the Magners League campaign.

"If we do that, we can finish in mid-table, where we should be."