Historic final for Northampton Saints and Union Bordeaux-Bègles

Rugby’s biggest stage is set for a thrilling showdown as Northampton Saints and Union Bordeaux-Bègles prepare to face off in the 30th Investec Champions Cup Final.

The highly-anticipated clash takes place this Saturday at Cardiff’s iconic Principality Stadium. With over 60 000 tickets already sold, it promises to be the most well-attended final in over a decade.

Both clubs are chasing their own piece of history. Saints are hoping to lift the trophy for a second time, 25 years after their maiden victory in 2000. Meanwhile, Bordeaux will step onto the field for their first Investec Champions Cup Final, aiming to cap a landmark season with European glory.

Northampton Saints arrive in Cardiff on the back of a stunning semi-final win over tournament giants Leinster Rugby, showcasing the fearlessness and flair of their youthful squad – now including four Lions debutants in Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell, Henry Pollock and Fin Smith. Union Bordeaux-Bègles, bursting with international star power, stunned defending champions Stade Toulousain to book their place in what is set to be an unforgettable final.

And the stats more than back up the hype. Click below for the match preview statistics and click further below for a full breakdown of club and individual performances heading into the final.

Match preview stats.pdf

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Breakdown.pdf

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• Key players to watch include Fin Smith (Saints) and Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux), who are tied as the competition’s third-highest scorers with 71 points each - more than any other players left in the tournament.

• The top five try scorers this season all come from these two finalists. Bordeaux’s Damien Penaud leads the pack with a record-breaking 12 tries, followed by Northampton’s Tommy Freeman (9), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (8), Henry Pollock (7) and Juarno Augustus (5).

• Jalibert also ranks second for most successful conversions (27), while Fin Smith is fourth with 21 and leads the competition in penalties kicked (8).

• Defensively, Henry Pollock stands out as the competition’s top tackler (96) and turnover winner (18).

• On attack, James Ramm (Saints) leads in defenders beaten (30), closely followed by Penaud (29). Penaud also tops the charts in clean breaks (21) and meters gained among remaining players (606m), with Freeman again in second at 571 meters.

• Northampton’s Alex Mitchell has delivered more passes than any other player still in the tournament (421), ahead of Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu (342), underlining his pivotal role in the Saints’ attacking setup.

• Pollock, Lucu and Penaud are all in the running for Investec Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, EPCR are delighted to confirm the 30th season Investec Champions Cup Final will be broadcast live and free-to-air exclusively on S4C and BBC iPlayer.

In the sixth staging of the Final in the Welsh capital, two of Europe’s giants of rugby will go head-to-head for the most coveted prize in international club rugby: the Investec Champions Cup.

Northampton Saints and Union Bordeaux-Bègles will be bidding for the silverware from 2.45pm on Saturday, with Northampton Saints appearing in their third Final and Union Bordeaux-Bègles their maiden Final.

This year’s Final marks the 30th edition of the pinnacle of international club rugby, back in the Welsh capital that hosted the very first final between Toulouse and Cardiff back in 1996.

The Investec Champions Cup Final will be broadcast live across the UK on all S4C platforms: on television and online via S4C Clic and S4C on iPlayer, as well as on S4C Chwaraeon’s YouTube channel.

English commentary will also be available on all platforms with the exception of BBC iPlayer.

The coverage will be produced by Media Atom and will include expert analysis and comprehensive match-day coverage.

Catrin Heledd will lead the broadcast, joined by Lyn Jones, Sioned Harries, Shane Williams and Rhys Priestland for expert analysis. Commentary will be provided in English by Gareth Charles, with Gareth Roberts delivering the Welsh-language commentary. Reporting from the sidelines are Lauren Jenkins and former Northampton player Rhodri Gomer.

In the lead-up to the final, S4C will air a special programme on Thursday at 9pm.

Rygbi Cymru yn Ewrop 30 (Wales Rugby in Europe 30), looks back at 30 years of Welsh involvement in European competition and will be available on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer. English subtitles are available.

Charting the highs and lows of Welsh clubs since 1996, with highlights of the most memorable games, the stories of the commentators, reporters and of course the players who played a part in some of Welsh rugby's biggest matches.