Bordeaux-Begles secured their second Champions Cup title by defeating Leinster 36-22 in Bilbao. The French side scored five first-half tries to establish a commanding lead, ultimately prolonging Leinster's wait for a fifth European crown.
Reigning Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Begles defeated Bath 42-19 in a dominant semi-final display at Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Metropole. The French side led 24-12 at half-time and pulled away after the break with tries from Marko Gazzotti, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Maxime Lucu, Ben Tameifuna and Temo Matiu. Bath, in their first top-tier European semi-final in 20 years, scored through Will Muir (2) and Louie Hennessey but could not contain Bordeaux's relentless pace. The English side's 29-year wait for another trophy in this competition continues.
Bath's first-choice scrum-half Ben Spencer returns from a shoulder injury to start in Sunday's Champions Cup semi-final against holders Bordeaux-Begles. The English champions face the French side without centre Max Ojomoh, wing Joe Cokanasiga and midfielder Cameron Redpath, all injured. Louie Hennessey starts at 13 with Ollie Lawrence shifting to inside centre, while Henry Arundell switches to right wing. Bordeaux-Begles' Louis Bielle-Biarrey poses a major threat with 28 tries in 26 games this season.
Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer has recovered from a shoulder injury to start in Sunday's Champions Cup semi-final against holders Bordeaux-Begles. The English champions have injury concerns with centre Max Ojomoh, wing Joe Cokanasiga and midfielder Cameron Redpath all ruled out. Louie Hennessey starts at 13 with Ollie Lawrence shifting to inside centre, while Henry Arundell switches to right wing.
Bath Rugby faces a scrum-half crisis ahead of their Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday, with first-choice Ben Spencer doubtful and back-up Bernard van der Linde undergoing ankle surgery. 18-year-old Isaac Mears, who only signed his first professional contract this month, could make his debut as the club's only remaining specialist option. Coach Johann van Graan has also hinted at the possibility of a positional switch, referencing South Africa's 2023 World Cup final strategy.
