The China Mail - Bordeaux-Begles join club rugby's 'top table' with Champions Cup glory

The victory in Cardiff came 11 months on from their first major final, when they were hammered 59-3 to Toulouse in the Top 14.

"We've wanted to sit at the big boys' table for two years now," scrum-half Lucu told reporters.

"Last year we failed, this year we've put a star on the shirt," he added.

Bordeaux-Begles were only founded in 2006 after a merger of two clubs and featured in the top-tier of continental rugby for the first time in 2015.

They also moved into the 32,000-capacity Stade Chaban-Delmas and have become the club in Europe with the highest average crowd.

"The title valiatdes the work done by the club around 10 years," head coach Yannick Bru said.

"Bordeaux-Begles are on a positive journey, we've gone from being a start-up to and outsider and now we're credible outsiders," the former France hooker added.

- 'Limelight' -

Bru's outfit have been fuelled by some superb individual performances by the likes of fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and clinical winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud.

Penaud crossed twice in the final and was named Champions Cup player of the season having taken his tally to a record 14 tries in the campaign.

"It's hard to focus on one person because he finishes off moves," Bru said.

"Damian and Loulou are adorable guys.

"It also embarrasses me to put the limelight on them and make them superstars.

"Bordeaux-Begles are lucky to have guys like that," he added.

For Northampton, their search for a second Champions Cup title after clinching one in 2000 was hampered by three first-half injuries.

Winger James Ramm, full-back George Furbank and lock Temo Mayanavanua left the field in the opening half an hour.

"It has a huge impact, it's not ideal," director of rugby Phil Dowson told reporters.

"Rambo lasted two minutes and Furbs five and then Temo got a head knock changes things, at the same time it’s the whole point of having a bench.

"Those guys came and had an impact which is impressive," he added.

The game was played at a high intensity despite numerous interventions by the television match official.

Four tries were chalked after being referred to the video referee.

"I think we've got to be careful that it doesn't become too like NFL in terms of stop-start game," Dowson.

"We want to play a game that's open and expansive and so did Bordeaux-Begles.

"We've got to make sure that there's not loads and loads of looking at screen and showing slow-mo.

"But I'm also conscious that the game has to be safe and so the high shots have to be checked.

"We want to see a bit more momentum in the game," the former Saints back-rower added.

Bordeaux-Begles became the 14th side to win the trophy since its incarnation in 1995.

Q.Yam--ThChM