A review of the 2025-26 European rugby season highlights top games, teams, players, and coaching. It also touches on matchday experiences, media operations, and areas for improvement in the sport.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey is highlighted as a key player for Bordeaux-Bègles in their Champions Cup final against Leinster. Meanwhile, Montpellier secured their third Challenge Cup title by defeating Ulster.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey a été élu meilleur joueur de la Champions Cup 2025-2026 après la victoire de Bordeaux face au Leinster. Son manager, Yannick Bru, a salué son évolution et son professionnalisme.
Bordeaux secured their second consecutive Champions Cup title by decisively defeating Leinster 35-7 in Bilbao. Despite Leinster scoring first, Bordeaux's superior attacking prowess, highlighted by Louis Bielle-Biarrey's two tries, proved too much.
UBB secured a commanding 41-19 victory over Leinster in the Champions Cup final in Bilbao. Louis Bielle-Biarrey starred with two tries, contributing to UBB's dominant first-half performance.
UBB secured a commanding lead against Leinster in the Champions Cup final, with Louis Bielle-Biarrey scoring twice. Despite an early try from Leinster's Tommy O'Brien, UBB responded strongly, leading 35-7 at halftime.
À l’issue de la victoire contre Bath, Louis Bielle-Biarrey et Maxime Lamothe se projettent déjà sur le Top 14, où l’UBB va devoir batailler pour se qualifier pour les phases finales.
À l’issue de la victoire contre Bath, Louis Bielle-Biarrey et Maxime Lamothe se projettent déjà sur le Top 14, où l’UBB va devoir batailler pour se qualifier pour les phases finales.
Bordeaux Bègles defeated Bath 40-26 in a thrilling Champions Cup semi-final at Stade Chaban-Delmas to set up a final against Leinster in Bilbao. The French side's influential half-backs Maxime Lucu (18 points) and Matthieu Jalibert, along with wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey, proved decisive. Will Muir scored two tries for Bath, who were competitive throughout but ultimately fell short despite a valiant effort.
Bordeaux Bègles defeated Bath 40-26 in the Champions Cup semi-final in Bordeaux to set up a final against Leinster in Bilbao. The French side's influential half-backs Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert, along with try-scorer Louis Bielle-Biarrey, proved the difference. Bath, who led briefly through Will Muir's early try, could never recover from falling behind early and must wait for their first Champions Cup win since 1998.
Bordeaux (Union Bordeaux Bègles) defeated Bath 38-26 in a thrilling Champions Cup semi-final at The Recreation Ground in Bath. The French side scored five tries to secure victory despite a competitive display from Bath, who led 12-7 at one point. Bath's Beno Obano admitted his side didn't take their opportunities, while Bordeaux prop Ben Tameifuna praised his team's season and home advantage.
Bath face Bordeaux Bègles in the Champions Cup semi-final at Stade Atlantique with kick-off delayed 10 minutes to 3:10pm BST due to undisclosed reasons. The reigning European champions Bordeaux emerged from a superb quarter-final victory over Toulouse, while Bath edged past Northampton 43-41 in a thriller. Both sides boast impressive squads with world-class players including Finn Russell, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Alfie Barbeary, with the benches likely to decide this pulsating affair.
Alfie Barbeary, the 25-year-old Bath No 8, is the surprise fifth nominee for the Champions Cup player of the year award. The uncapped Englishman, famous for his exuberant trophy celebrations in budgie smugglers, has overcome injury problems and a reputation for partying to become a key figure for Bath ahead of Sunday's final against Bordeaux Bègles. Known for his upright carrying technique and unusual matchday diet of only toast, Barbeary is set to join Saracens this summer but first aims to help Bath win silverware.
