2026 European Rugby Champions Cup Final: Bordeaux Bègles vs Leinster Live Score Updates, Lineups, and Match Preview
The 2026 European Rugby Champions Cup final promises to deliver a thrilling showdown as French champions Bordeaux Bègles face Irish giants Leinster at the iconic San Mamés Stadium on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Rugby fans around the world will be watching closely as two elite clubs battle for European glory in one of the biggest matches of the club rugby calendar.
This year’s final marks the 31st European club rugby final overall and features defending champions Bordeaux Bègles against eight-time finalists Leinster. The atmosphere in Bilbao is expected to be electric, with thousands of supporters traveling from France and Ireland for this massive encounter.
Bordeaux Bègles vs Leinster Final Details
Match
Bordeaux Bègles vs Leinster
Competition
European Rugby Champions Cup Final 2026
Date
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Kickoff Time
15:45 CEST (UTC+02)
Venue
San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
Referee
Karl Dickson
The famous stadium previously hosted the 2018 European final and once again provides the perfect stage for a high-intensity championship clash.
2026 European Rugby Champions Cup Final Result and Scores: Bordeaux Bègles Crush Leinster 41-19 to Win European Title
Competition
European Rugby Champions Cup Final 2026
Date
23 May 2026
Venue
San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
Full-Time Score
Bordeaux Bègles 41-19 Leinster
Final Score
Team
Score
Bordeaux Bègles
41
Leinster
19
Starting Lineups
Bordeaux Bègles
Position
Leinster
Salesi Rayasi
Fullback (15)
Hugo Keenan
Pablo Uberti
Right Wing (14)
Tommy O’Brien
Damian Penaud
Outside Centre (13)
Garry Ringrose
Yoram Moefana
Inside Centre (12)
Robbie Henshaw
Louis Bielle-Biarrey
Left Wing (11)
Rieko Ioane
Matthieu Jalibert
Fly-half (10)
Harry Byrne
Maxime Lucu (c)
Scrum-half (9)
Jamison Gibson-Park
Marko Gazzotti
Number 8 (8)
Caelan Doris (c)
Cameron Woki
Openside Flanker (7)
Josh van der Flier
Pierre Bochaton
Blindside Flanker (6)
Jack Conan
Adam Coleman
Lock (5)
James Ryan
Boris Palu
Lock (4)
Joe McCarthy
Carlü Sadie
Tighthead Prop (3)
Tom Clarkson
Maxime Lamothe
Hooker (2)
Dan Sheehan
Jefferson Poirot
Loosehead Prop (1)
Andrew Porter
Substitutes
Bordeaux Bègles
Position
Leinster
Gaëtan Barlot
Hooker (16)
Rónan Kelleher
Ugo Boniface
Prop (17)
Paddy McCarthy
Ben Tameifuna
Prop (18)
Tadhg Furlong
Lachlan Swinton
Back Row (19)
Diarmuid Mangan
Temo Matiu
Back Row (20)
Max Deegan
Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer
Back Row (21)
Luke McGrath
Arthur Retière
Wing (22)
Ciarán Frawley
Hugo Reus
Fly-half (23)
Jamie Osborne
Coaches
Bordeaux Bègles
Leinster
Yannick Bru
Leo Cullen
Match Officials
Role
Official
Referee
Karl Dickson
Assistant Referee
Christophe Ridley
Assistant Referee
Hollie Davidson
Television Match Official
Marius van der Westhuizen
Match Preview
This final could become a classic battle between Bordeaux’s attacking flair and Leinster’s structured, physical game plan. Bordeaux Bègles possess incredible speed out wide through Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, while Leinster’s forward pack is expected to apply relentless pressure in the set pieces.
Much attention will focus on the fly-half duel between Matthieu Jalibert and Harry Byrne. Their kicking game, creativity, and decision-making could determine which side lifts the trophy in Bilbao.
Leinster’s experience in major European finals may provide an advantage, but Bordeaux’s confidence as defending champions makes them extremely dangerous.
