Europe - Champions Cup
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by Steve Ashfield | in Champions Cup Predictions
The last four seasons have seen a French club win the European Rugby Champions Cup. Bordeaux Begles bid to make it five in a row when they take on English club Northampton Saints in Saturday's final. Can the Saints cause a shock? Read our match prediction.
Northampton Saints won this trophy back in 2000 when a very different format was used for Europe's top club competition. The Saints were the champions of England last season but it hasn't gone so well for them domestically this term only being eight in the table. Their form in Europe has been much better though and they caused a massive shock in the semi-finals when beating Leinster.
Bordeaux Begles are second in Top 14 and are playing in the final of the European Rugby Champions Cup for the first time. The semi-finals saw them beat defending champions Stade Toulousain, the only club above them in Top 14. Can they win the cup for the first time?
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The Best Betting Odds for Northampton Saints v Union Bordeaux Begles Match
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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3.1 | 26 | 1.4 |
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3.2 | 21 | 1.38 |
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3.25 | 26 | 1.36 |
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3.15 | 30 | 1.35 |
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3.21 | 26 | 1.42 |
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Northampton Saints vs Union Bordeaux Begles Form
Northampton Saints and Union Bordeaux Begles Last Matches
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
17 May 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
11 May 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
3 May 2025 - Champions Cup
26 Apr 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
18 Apr 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
12 Apr 2025 - Champions Cup
4/6 (67%)
0/6 (0%)
2/6 (33%)
17 May 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
26 Apr 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
12 Apr 2025 - Champions Cup
4 Apr 2025 - Champions Cup
21 Mar 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
1 Mar 2025 - Premiership Rugby Cup
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
11 May 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
3 May 2025 - Champions Cup
18 Apr 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
28 Mar 2025 - English Premiership Rugby
14 Feb 2025 - Premiership Rugby Cup
1 Feb 2025 - Premiership Rugby Cup
4/6 (67%)
0/6 (0%)
2/6 (33%)
17 May 2025 - Top 14
11 May 2025 - Top 14
4 May 2025 - Champions Cup
26 Apr 2025 - Top 14
19 Apr 2025 - Top 14
12 Apr 2025 - Champions Cup
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
17 May 2025 - Top 14
4 May 2025 - Champions Cup
26 Apr 2025 - Top 14
12 Apr 2025 - Champions Cup
6 Apr 2025 - Champions Cup
23 Mar 2025 - Top 14
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
11 May 2025 - Top 14
19 Apr 2025 - Top 14
30 Mar 2025 - Top 14
1 Mar 2025 - Top 14
15 Feb 2025 - Top 14
11 Jan 2025 - Champions Cup
Northampton Saints - Union Bordeaux Begles: Form Analysis
Northampton Saints are in their first European Rugby Champions Cup final since 2011. They won the trophy in 2000 and will hope that a quarter of a century later, they will again lift the trophy.
The Saints are only eighth in the English Premiership. That won't take them into the play-offs but will qualify them for this competition next season. Their away form is to blame with one win and seven losses.
It's gone much better for them in European competition. They finished top of their pool with three wins, the only loss being away at Stade Francais Paris. In the knockout stages, the Saints beat two Top 14 sides Clermont and Castres (who they also beat in the pool stage) before a fantastic away win against Leinster. Their most recent game saw them beat Saracens at home but before that, they lost at Exeter Chiefs.
Bordeaux are unbeaten in this season's competition.
Bordeaux Begles won all four of their matches in the pool stage. That included defeating English Premiership clubs Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs. Their 100% record has continued in the knockout stages.
Wins have come against Ulster, Munster and Stade Toulousain, all those games being played at home. They are second in Top 14 and beat Castres in their last match despite fielding a weakened line-up.
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Players list
Substitutes
Northampton Saints & Union Bordeaux Begles Squad Analysis
Key trio missing for the Saints.
Northampton Saints have had a worrying week after picking up three key injuries last week against Saracens. James Ramm, Alex Coles and Curtis Langdon all picked up injuries and they are all expected to be missing this European Rugby Champions Cup.
That adds to the injury list that the Saints already had. Juarno Augustus had already been confirmed to miss the match. That means the English Premiership side will be fielding a weakened line-up for this match.
They will have England international Tommy Freeman playing this weekend. He's scored nine tries in this season's competition, only Damian Pennaud who plays for Bordeaux has more with 12. Another key player will be Fin Smith who is the third highest scorer in this competition.
Penaud will be fit to play this weekend.
Bordeaux had some concerns over the fitness of top scorer Damian Penaud. He was injured in their semi-final win but the player who has scored 21 tries this season will be fit to play against Northampton.
The Begles have been a hugely physical side this season. Pete Samu and Cyril Cazeaux will both hope to continue their dominance in the pack and lead their team to cup glory.
Northampton Saints - Union Bordeaux Begles Key Points
- Bordeaux have won all of their matches in this season's competition.
- Northampton are only eighth in the English Premiership.
- Bordeaux are second in Top 14.
- Bordeaux beat the defending champions in the semi-finals.
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Our Northampton Saints vs Union Bordeaux Begles Prediction
It's been 25 years since the only meeting between these two clubs. Bordeaux won on that occasion and are the favorites to come out on top again this weekend. The French club have won all of their matches in this season's European Rugby Champions Cup.
Northampton Saints have had a poor domestic season but it's been a different story in this competition. They had an impressive win over Leinster in the last round but this will be another tough match. Our main Northampton Saints v Bordeaux Begles prediction is Bordeaux Begles to win and lead at half and full time.
Prediction :
Bordeaux Begles to win and lead at half and full time.
Northampton Saints vs Union Bordeaux Begles - Other Interesting Predictions
Damian Penaud to score a try
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Northampton Saints vs Union Bordeaux Begles match : Frequently asked questions
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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