Adam Coleman has revitalized his rugby career with Bordeaux after London Irish's collapse. His pivotal role has helped Bordeaux rise to the top, aiming for back-to-back Champions Cup titles.
There are in truth few Union Bordeaux Bègles players better qualified to explain just how it feels to be in the eye of the storm with European rugbyâs newest force than Adam Coleman. Three years ago their paths collided with almost perfect timing, with Bordeaux mid-table and Coleman unceremoniously dropped into rugby purgatory.
Colemanâs career looked to be over when London Irish went out of business in the summer of 2023 before a move to France with Bordeaux. It has proved to be an inspired decision for both parties, with Coleman playing a pivotal role in UBBâs rise to the top of the club game, culminating in their Champions Cup final triumph over Northampton last year.
As a dual-international with the Wallabies and Tonga, as well as experiencing rugby in almost all corners of the sportâs geographical footprint, Coleman is used to the unconventional. So being one of the few non-French speakers in the Bordeaux squad will hardly feel too challenging: and it is something the 34-year-old lock has taken in his stride to give his career fresh impetus.
âWhen London Irish went down I genuinely didnât know what was going to happen next for my career,â he says. âBut to come here, to meet the people and live in Bordeaux: itâs an incredible place. You get this incredible lifestyle and the opportunity to play with so many great French internationals. Thereâs all the benefits of playing overseas.â
This is no end-of-career French sojourn bubbling away here, though. There is history aplenty to be made in Bordeaux, with the reigning champions now just two wins away from joining the elite list of clubs who have gone back-to-back in European rugbyâs premier competition. Bath are the obstacle in their way on Sunday.
It promises to be an intriguing affair. Styles make fights and while Bath are perhaps more renowned for staying in the fight and hanging tough, Bordeaux thrive on a more unstructured and chaotic game. âThey like to control the game, put a lot of structure into the game and we like to play a brand of more elusive rugby,â Coleman says. âItâll be a good game of rugby.
After London Irish's collapse, Adam Coleman faced uncertainty but found new life at Bordeaux, significantly contributing to their success.
Adam Coleman has played a pivotal role in Bordeaux's rise, helping them secure a Champions Cup title and aiming for consecutive championships.
As one of the few non-French speakers in the Bordeaux squad, Adam Coleman adapted quickly, embracing the challenge and enhancing his career.
Bordeaux's next opponents in their pursuit of back-to-back Champions Cup titles are Bath.
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Adam Coleman makes ground for UBB, his career revived in France after London Irish went under in 2023. Photograph: Icon Sport/Alamy
âThe first and most important thing was winning last year and being the first team ever from Bordeaux to put the star on the jersey and to be in a position to play this weekend and have a chance to do it again ⌠weâre very grateful for that. But we canât look too far ahead. The quality of player theyâve got with guys like [Finn] Russell means itâs going to be a real challenge.
âWeâre taking nothing for granted but if you asked us at the start of the year where weâd want to be, this is exactly where weâd have said.â
Colemanâs arrival at Bordeaux in 2023 came at the same time Yannick Bru joined as head coach and while a first Top 14 title is still not in the trophy cabinet, Bordeauxâs success in European rugby suggests more silverware is not too far away.
âI canât comment on the last coach because I wasnât here but maybe it was a fresh start that UBB needed,â Coleman says. âItâs really showed in the way weâre playing and the professionalism of the team and really taking that step forward from where we were when I joined.â
Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the charge for Bordeaux in the Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulouse. Photograph: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images
With the likes of Louis Bielle-Biarrey in their ranks â who Coleman describes as a âonce-in-a-generation playerâ â it is perhaps no surprise he has found such enjoyment in his rugby again in France. Coleman turns 35 in October but there is no sign of him slowing down. Nor, it seems, is there a chance of a return to his native Australia to finish his career in Super Rugby, with the French lifestyle and the journey Bordeaux are on having got under his skin.
âIf the opportunity came to finish my career here Iâd love that,â he smiles. âWho knows what the future holds, but Iâd love to finish here. My family is really settled, my kids are in school and itâs just been a great move for me.â