Champions Cup & EPCR — Saturday 23 May 2026

The scoreboard read 41-19 when Bordeaux-Bègles secured the Champions Cup double in Bilbao, utterly demolishing Leinster in a performance built on ruthless efficiency. The sheer brutality of the victory was evident when the French side scored five tries from players including Maxime Lucu, Pablo Uberti, and Yoram Moefana, alongside a double from Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Leinster, despite opening the scoring with a try from Tommy O’Brien, simply could not halt the relentless Bordeaux advance.

This wasn't just a title; it was a statement. After securing back-to-back European crowns, the atmosphere suggested the boys had finally hit a groove. Bordeaux assistant coach Noel McNamara noted the profound psychological shift, revealing that the players understood their capabilities: “The players understand what they are good at,” he stated. “When you do it once, it becomes easier. We too.” It was a dismantling that saw Bordeaux dominate the entire affair, cementing their status as European kings.

Beyond the magnitude of the victory, the day saw supporting action across the European club structure. Meanwhile, the Pro D2 saw Provence Rugby secure a comfortable away win against Brive, proving they are aiming for a run to Colomiers in the semifinals. In other news, Blackheath have successfully moved up the ladder, beating London Scottish in the Accession Final to land them in the second tier for the first time since 1999.