Northampton Saints vs Bordeaux Begles
● Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025
● Kick-off: 14:45.
● Stadium: Principality Stadium
● City: Cardiff, Wales
This marks the sixth time the Principality Stadium has hosted the European final, equalling Twickenham Stadium’s record.
Bordeaux Begles
● Making their first appearance in a European final.
● Entered the final as the top seed after an unbeaten pool stage, securing bonus points in all matches.
Route to Final:
○ Round of 16: Defeated Ulster 43–31
○ Quarter-finals: Overcame Munster 47–29
○ Semi-finals: Beat Toulouse 35–18
Union Bordeaux-Bègles enters the 2025 Champions Cup final as one of the top-performing teams in the tournament. This marks their inaugural appearance in a European final, achieved after an impressive campaign in which they remained undefeated during the pool stages and decisively defeated several of the competition’s top teams in the knockout rounds. Their journey to the final featured significant victories against Ulster, Munster, and, notably, a 35–18 semi-final victory over Toulouse, which solidified their status as serious contenders.
Central to Bordeaux’s achievements is Matthieu Jalibert, whose innovative play and command at fly-half have significantly enhanced the team’s offensive strategy. Complimenting him, Maxime Lucu has offered strong leadership and a dependable connection between the forwards and backs, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey has distinguished himself as one of the most dynamic wings in European rugby. His two tries in the semi-final not only highlighted his speed but also his increasing capacity to excel in crucial situations. If fit, Damian Penaud would contribute additional star quality and finishing prowess, although his fitness for the final remains uncertain.
Bordeaux’s forwards have been tough, agile, and well-organized, providing their skilled backs with the opportunity to shine. Guido Petti has added toughness and experience to the second row, and the back row has been great at winning breakdowns. A shout out to attack coach Noel McNamara, whose guidance has transformed Bordeaux from a talented but erratic team into a unified, strategically savvy squad that can break down defenses.
Bordeaux has some solid strengths, but they’re up against some tough challenges. This is a whole new ball game for them — their first European final against Northampton who have been here before. Losing Penaud would be a big blow, and even though their backline is still a threat, there’s hardly any room for mistakes in a final. They’ll have to keep their cool and play with the same intensity and focus they’ve shown all season. Overall, UBB is seen as the favorite going into the Champions Cup final, thanks to their strong form, offensive skills, and the talent of their star players. If they can perform at their best, they have a great shot at making history and winning the biggest trophy in European club rugby for the first time.
Northampton Saints
● Fourth European final appearance; first Champions Cup final since 2011.
● Strong European form despite exiting the Premiership Rugby title race.
Route to Final:
○ Round of 16: Defeated Clermont 46–24
○ Quarter-finals: Overpowered Castres 51–16
○ Semi-finals: Edged past Leinster 37–34
Northampton Saints have surprised everyone by making it to the 2025 Investec Champions Cup final, their first time in this big European event since 2011. Their path has been a mix of youthful energy, smart strategies, and strong team camaraderie. The side is full of confidence with 4 of their starting 15 being named to tour with the British and Irish Lions this summer.
The Saints had a rocky road to the final. They did well in the pool stage but then had to take on a tough Leinster team in the semi-finals. Northampton pulled off an incredible 37–34 win in Dublin, proving their toughness and offensive skills. Wing Tommy Freeman was a standout with a hat-trick in the first half, and flanker Henry Pollock has been a game-changer this season.
Furthermore, Fin Smith brings a calm, calculated approach to the fly-half role. His ability to read the game and control territory through tactical kicking will be vital against Bordeaux, whose back three — including the likes of Louis Bielle-Biarrey — thrive on loose ball and counter-attacks. Smith’s kicking game can nullify that threat by turning Bordeaux and forcing them to play from deep.
Under the guidance of director of rugby Phil Dowson and head coach Sam Vesty, the Saints have cultivated a cohesive unit that thrives under pressure. Their ability to blend experienced campaigners with emerging stars has created a balanced squad capable of adapting to various challenges.
