Leinster Rugby and Union Bordeaux Bègles to contest 2026 Investec Champions Cup Final in Bilbao

Leinster Rugby and Union Bordeaux Bègles stand on the brink of Investec Champions Cup glory after banking their places in the Bilbao Finals in a thrilling semi-finals weekend.

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Leinster Rugby booked a ninth Champions Cup final - their fourth in five seasons - but were pushed to the brink by a ferocious RC Toulon comeback in Dublin.

Out to avenge last year’s semi-final heartbreak, Leinster started fast, with Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier crossing as they seized early control. Toulon hung in through penalties and a try of their own but Leinster looked in control when Garry Ringrose struck after the break - even with two men in the bin – following by a Caelan Doris try to over to give them a 16-point lead.

Three-time champions Toulon however exploded into life in the last 15 minutes. Baptiste Serin sparked the surge and when Gael Dréan went over in the 75th minute, the gap was reduced to just four points.

But the Irish province dug in, survived the late storm and booked their place in Bilbao – fittingly where they lifted their last Champions Cup trophy in 2018.

Union Bordeaux Bègles have the chance to become back-to-back champions, after banking their place in the Finals with a thrilling win over Bath Rugby.

It was a match that promised fireworks and at a sold-out Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Métropole, Bordeaux struck first through Mario Gazzotti in the opening minute, with Bath responding quickly via Will Muir.

Bordeaux led 24-12 at the break, but Bath hit back after the restart, with a try for young centre Louie Hennessey bringing the game to within one score.

A thrilling end ensued as Bordeaux powered on, with Big Ben Tameifuna powering over off the bench, before Temo Matiu’s 76th-minute try sealed the result.

While the place in the final was already Bordeaux’s, Bath showed their character right until the end, with an 81st minute try for Tom Carr-Smith and Finn Russell adding the conversion with the final kick of the game, bringing an end to their campaign.

Semi-Finals – Top Performers

• Points: 18, Maxime Lucu, Union Bordeaux Bègles

• Carries: 22, Caelan Doris, Leinster Rugby

• Metres: 139, Matthieu Jalibert, Union Bordeaux Bègles

• Defenders beaten: 8, Matthieu Jalibert, Union Bordeaux Bègles/Tomas Albornoz, RC Toulon

• Offloads: 4, Matthieu Jalibert, Union Bordeaux Bègles

• Tackles: 21, Adam Coleman, Union Bordeaux Bègles

Semi-Finals – Key Stats

• Matthieu Jalibert tops the carrying charts with 105 carries and 528 metres made this season (1st in both).

• Union Bordeaux Bègles recorded 18 offloads last round (most) and lead the season rankings with 105 offloads.

• Tomas Albornoz broke 8 tackles last round (most) while making 103 metres (2nd most).

• Gaël Drean is tied for the competition lead with 8 tries scored this season and recorded the second-most post-contact metres (25) at the weekend.

• Caelan Doris made 22 carries, 16 tackles, beat 6 defenders, and won a turnover in the semi-finals.