The China Mail - Leinster seek 5th title to derail Bordeaux-Begles Champions Cup defence

Bordeaux-Begles, founded in 2006, are aiming to become just the sixth side to defend their title in the competition's three decades of existence.

In the space of 20 years, 'UBB' have become one of the club game's most powerful sides and are unbeaten in this season's competition having edged out English champions Bath in the last four.

"Our wish since I started, is to give Bordeaux-Begles something long-lasting," head coach Yannick Bru, who was appointed in 2023, told reporters on Tuesday.

"We're right at the start, on the cusp of something long-lasting.

"As we say where I'm from, 'You only pay the musician at the end of the concert'.

"What's important is to win a final," the former France hooker added.

Leinster are one of the five outfits to have already claimed back-to-back Champions Cup crowns.

They return to Athletic Bilbao's San Mames, nicknamed 'The Cathedral', where they claimed their most recent triumph in 2018.

However, they have experienced defeat in four Champions Cup finals since then.

In the semi-finals, they held on against a late surge from Toulon to secure a sixth final in nine years.

But their United Rugby Championship form has been inconsistent.

"You can't hide it under the carpet," assistant coach Robin McBryde told reporters on Tuesday.

"But listen, we've put ourselves in the position time and time again, so we've proven that we're good enough to get to the final.

"It's been a bit of a rocky road to get to this stage.

"It's going to be a fantastic occasion for us playing against arguably the best team in the world," McBryde added.

- 'Better balance' -

Half-back pairing Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert will be crucial to Bordeaux-Begles's hopes of another triumph.

The France playmakers shepherd their hefty pack around the pitch and create space for lethal finishers like winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

"I think we have better balance in our team that allows Max and Matthieu to express their talent more," Bru said.

"We're in the third year of our project and they understand the project, they approve of it.

"There's an even stronger bond between the two men," he added.

Leinster have a settled squad, which is made up of mainly Ireland internationals and a light sprinkling of foreign talent such as New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane.

Ioane will leave Dublin at the end of the season after his short-term deal added depth to a squad that also includes Ireland backs Jamison Gibson-Park, Jamie Osborne and Garry Ringrose.

Osborne and Ringrose are graduates from the province's clinical private school rugby system.

"I feel lucky to be part of a group where everyone's turning up pushing each other to be competitive," centre Ringrose said.

"There's always someone coming through, pushing the dial, challenging us," he added.

"It kind of motivates you and drives you to give your best," he added.

E.Lau--ThChM