Bordeaux-Bègles defeat Leinster 41‑19 to retain Champions Cup in Bilbao
On 23 May 2026 at San Mamés in Bilbao, Union Bordeaux‑Bègles (UBB) secured a second consecutive European Champions Cup by beating Leinster 41‑19. The French side dominated the first half, scoring five tries and leading 35‑7 at the break, before controlling the remainder of the game. Key scorers included Maxime Lucu (two tries, two conversions), Pablo Uberti, Louis Bielle‑Biarrey (two tries) and Yoram Moefana, who also intercepted a pass for a try. Matthieu Jalibert was named player of the tournament, and captain Lucu called the win “realising our dream, writing history” in post‑match comments.
The victory makes UBB the sixth club to win back‑to‑back titles in the competition’s history and reinforces French dominance, marking the sixth straight Champions Cup won by a French team. Leinster suffered its fifth final loss since 2018, extending a streak of defeats against French clubs. The match was witnessed by around 45 000 spectators in Bilbao and broadcast live across Europe and beyond.
Financially, the triumph adds to UBB’s earnings, with the club having received over €1 million in prize money for the previous season’s win and additional media‑related revenues. The result positions UBB as a benchmark for European club rugby, while Leinster will look to rebuild under coach Leo Cullen for future campaigns.