Trokkie’s Investec Champions Cup final a Bok Test rehearsal
His semi-final performance got him an invite to the Springboks alignment camp and another power performance could see him force his way into the first Test squad of the season.
- Northampton Saints looking to lift trophy 25 years after their maiden victory in 2000
- Union Bordeaux-Bègles set to make their debut appearance in an Investec Champions Cup Final
- Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will stage the blockbuster Finals Weekend, expected to draw the largest Champions Cup final crowd in over a decade
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, May 24, 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 HERE for the match preview statistics, and CLICK HERE for a full breakdown of club and individual performances heading into the final.
- 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.
The Investec Champions Cup Final rounds off a blockbuster weekend of European rugby, following Friday’s EPCR Challenge Cup Final between Bath Rugby and Lyon Olympique Universitaire. A limited number of tickets remain—don’t miss your chance to be part of the biggest weekend in international club rugby. Find out more here.
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