Investec Champions Cup 2024/25: Finalists decided, kick-off time, venue and date confirmed
Henry Pollock celebrates after Northampton Saints win Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster.
Northampton and Bordeaux-Begles will contest the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup final at the Principality Stadium after the pair beat Leinster and Toulouse.
In a stunning semi-final, the Saints produced an almighty shock as they edged Leinster 37-34 in a match for the ages. It was a real underdog story at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Tries from Tommy Freeman (3), Henry Pollock and James Ramm were added to by three conversions and two penalty goals from impressive English fly-half Fin Smith.
Stunning victory
Tommy O’Brien, Josh van der Flier (2), Caelan Doris and James Lowe crossed for Leinster but they came up short as the Saints withstood a late onslaught on their line.
In truth Northampton were fully deserving of their win and were driven by being written off in many quarters before the fixture, with injuries and form both being against them.
Alex Mitchell hails ‘fearless’ Northampton players after Leinster ‘punched in the face’
Phil Dowson’s charges will now have one eye very much on the European final, which is set to take place on Saturday, May 24 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Their opponents will be Bordeaux-Begles, who overcame reigning champions Toulouse 35-18 on Sunday afternoon in a statement showing from Yannick Bru’s classy charges.
Tries from Peter Samu, Louis Bielle Biarrey (2), Pierre Bochaton and Ben Tameifuna helped to secure a deserved victory in front of their home fans at Matmut Atlantique.
Dmitri Delibes and Pierre Louis Barassi scored for a beaten Toulouse, who were minus Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos, Blair Kinghorn and Peato Mauvaka due to injury.
Kick-off time
The Champions Cup final takes place at 14:45 BST on that Saturday with the match officials to be confirmed by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) at a later date.
Toulouse won last year’s Champions Cup after defeating Leinster 31-22 in the final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but their crown is set to be handed over later this month.
Champions Cup Final
Northampton Saints v Bordeaux Begles on Saturday, May 24 at 14:45 BST (13:45 GMT)