All You Need To Know Before Saints & Bordeaux Clash In Champions Cup Final
All You Need To Know Before Saints & Bordeaux Clash In Champions Cup Final
The Northampton Saints face Bordeaux-Bègles in the 2025 Investec Champions Cup final May 24 in Cardiff. Watch live on FloRugby, as both sides chase history.
The stage is set for a historic Investec Champions Cup final, as the Northampton Saints and Union Bordeaux-Bègles clash at the iconic Millennium Stadium on Saturday, May 24.
After semifinal victories that defied expectations and rewrote scripts, both clubs now stand one win away from European glory.
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How Did We Get Here?
The Northampton Saints pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in recent Champions Cup history, toppling Irish giant Leinster 37-34 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Entering the semifinal as 21-point underdogs, the Saints silenced the doubters with a performance built on clinical execution and fierce defense.
Winger Tommy Freeman led the charge with a first-half hat trick, giving the Saints a 27-15 halftime lead.
Scrumhalf Alex Mitchell and fly-half Fin Smith orchestrated the attack with pace and precision, while 20-year-old sensation Henry Pollock delivered a standout display that included 24 tackles, 58 meters gained and a try of his own.
Despite conceding the majority of territory and possession, Northampton was brutally efficient, exploiting Leinster’s blitz defense with clever tactical kicking and sharp offloads.
The result adds to Leinster’s growing catalogue of knockout heartbreaks and raises questions about the team's direction under current leadership.
If Northampton’s victory was audacious, Bordeaux-Bègles’ 35-18 dismantling of defending champion Toulouse was emphatic.
Playing in front of a raucous home crowd at Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux dominated from the outset, driven by the dynamic halfback duo of Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert.
Former Wallaby Pete Samu struck early with a coast-to-coast try in the sixth minute, and despite a brief Toulouse comeback that saw Toulouse lead 11-10, Bordeaux never looked back.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey added two tries — bringing his tournament total to seven — while Lucu slotted a 55-meter penalty, and Jalibert controlled proceedings with calm authority.
The Bordeaux pack matched and then outlasted its Toulouse counterparts, forcing turnovers and winning crucial breakdowns, despite the second-half loss of star winger Damian Penaud to injury.
A powerful try from Pierre Bochaton in the 63rd minute restored a two-score lead, and Ben Tameifuna's late effort sealed Bordeaux's first spot in a Champions Cup final.
Where Is the Final?
The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff — the spiritual home of Welsh rugby — will host the final. It marks a return to the venue for the Northampton Saints, who suffered heartbreak there in 2011 after Leinster staged a dramatic comeback led by Johnny Sexton.
For Bordeaux-Bègles, the final marks uncharted territory.
This will be UBB's maiden appearance in a Champions Cup decider and the first final since the 2019-2020 season without La Rochelle, Toulouse or Leinster involved.
When Is the Final?
Fans can mark their calendars for a marquee weekend of European rugby.
The EPCR Challenge Cup final between Bath and Lyon takes place Friday, May 23, followed by the Investec Champions Cup final on Saturday, May 24.
Where Can You Watch the Final?
FloRugby is the official streaming partner for EPCR competitions in North America and U.S. Territories.
Fans can catch both finals live, as well as ongoing coverage of the Top 14, United Rugby Championship and Super Rugby Pacific throughout the season.
As anticipation builds, the Investec Champions Cup final promises to deliver a compelling narrative: the first winners of the title in the new millennium against a first-time finalist, both powered by youth, fearless rugby and the pursuit of a historic title.
Will Northampton finally claim its first European crown since 2000, or can Bordeaux complete their fairytale run with a maiden triumph in Cardiff?
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