Union Bordeaux Bègles and Leinster set for Champions Cup final in Bilbao

Union Bordeaux Bègles (UBB) will meet Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. UBB entered the match without left‑prop Matis Perchaud, who suffered a serious knee ligament injury and will miss the remainder of the season. The loss narrows the club’s experienced front‑row options to Jefferson Poirot and Ugo Boniface, prompting a reshuffle in the pack.

Over the past year the French side has altered its playing style, adding density and a more all‑terrain approach while retaining its high‑scoring attack that logged 350 points and 45 tries in the competition. Scrum‑half Maxime Lucu has been highlighted as a key orchestrator, delivering decisive performances in the knockout stages.

Off the field, UBB is one of the few Top 14 clubs reporting a positive operating result for the 2024‑25 season, joining regional peers La Rochelle and Pau in strong financial health.

Leinster arrive seeking their first Champions Cup title since 2018 after four final defeats, aiming to secure a fifth European crown. The Irish province entered the tournament unbeaten, topping statistical categories for points, tries and defenders beaten, and will look to add the trophy to their storied history.

Ticket allocation for the final is limited, with roughly 2,000 seats reserved for each club’s supporters, and the match will be broadcast widely across Europe.