Semi-final review – Northampton Saints and Union Bordeaux-Bègles to contest 2025 Investec Champions Cup Final in Cardiff
- EPCR Media
- May 5
- 2 min read
Northampton Saints and Union Bordeaux-Bègles defied expectations in a thrilling weekend of semi-final action to book their places in the 2025 Investec Champions Cup Final, which will be held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on May 24.
For Northampton Saints, it marks a return to European rugby’s biggest stage for the first time since 2011. In a thrilling upset that will go down as one of the greatest victories in tournament history, they edged out Leinster Rugby in a nail-biting contest. With Leinster pushing for a decisive try in the closing moments, it was Northampton’s resilience and defensive steel that ultimately saw them through with 37 points to Leinster’s 34.
Tommy Freeman was the standout performer, registering a sensational hat-trick of tries to power the Saints to victory - only the second player to achieve that number in a semi-final. Meanwhile, the dynamic contributions from Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, and Fraser Dingwall showcased form that will not have gone unnoticed by British & Irish Lions selectors, as Andy Farrell and his coaching team prepare to name their squad later this week - with Farrell in attendance to watch the performances first-hand.
Sunday’s semi-final delivered high drama between France’s top two sides, as Union Bordeaux-Bègles overwhelmed six-time champions Stade Toulousain with a commanding 35-18 victory, scoring five tries to Toulouse’s two. It was a landmark win that sent Bordeaux to their first-ever Final. From the opening whistle, Bordeaux played with relentless intensity, keeping Toulouse under constant pressure in front of a sold-out and vocal crowd at Matmut ATLANTIQUE. They went into half-time in control and their grip only tightened in the second half, with three further tries to see them through and set up a Northampton Saints v Union Bordeaux-Bègles Final.
With the final under three weeks away, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a memorable showdown in Cardiff between two of Europe’s top teams. Remaining tickets are available.
Semi-finals – Top Performers
Points: 15 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
Carries: 19 Romain Ntamack (Stade Toulousain)
Metres: 136 James Ramm (Northampton Saints)
Defenders beaten: 7 James Ramm (Northampton Saints)
Offloads: 4 Matthieu Jalibert (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
Tackles: 21 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
Semi-Finals – Key Stats
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints) was the only player who scored three tries in the semi-finals. He made four clean breaks, 115 metres, and beat five defenders.
James Ramm (Northampton Saints) made the most metres (136) and beat the most defenders (seven) at the weekend.
In 31 minutes off the bench, Joel Merkler made more post-contact metres than any other player in the Semi-Finals (22).
Matthieu Jalibert (Union Bordeaux-Bègles) made the joint-most offloads at the weekend (four), beat three defenders, and assisted a try.
Maxime Lamothe (Union Bordeaux-Bègles) was the only player who won three turnovers at the weekend. He also made three offloads.
CLICK BELOW for a comprehensive semi-finals review including results, key data and top performers.
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