The Japan Times - Defending Champions Cup title 'special' for Bordeaux's Tameifuna

In-form winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored two tries and captain Maxime Lucu provided 21 points in a dominant display at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.

Since edging Bath in their semi-final three weeks ago, Bordeaux-Begles have struggled in the league with narrow wins over lowly Bayonne and Perpignan.

"It is relief. It has been a hard few weeks," Tameifuna, 34, told Premier Sports.

"This is one of the few times that I was nervous in my career.

"Back-to-back is special."

Bordeaux-Begles were supported by thousands of travelling French fans who had made the four-hour drive down the Atlantic coast to the sold-out 52,000-capacity San Mames stadium, nicknamed 'The Cathedral'.

"What an arena and place to play," Tameifuna said.

"Thank you for everyone who made the trip.

"It is going to be a rough couple of days," he jokingly added.

Leinster lost a record fifth Champions Cup final, having last won the title in 2018.

They trailed 35-7 at the break having conceded five tries, including a Yoram Moefana interception from 80-metres out.

"They're capable of big moments out of nothing, a lot of the scraps went their way," Leinster captain Caelan Doris told Premier Sports.

"We left ourselves too tall of a mountain to climb.

"I'm happy with the resolve and how put the first half behind us."

New Zealand winger Rieko Ioane had a quiet day, even being outsmarted in defence for Pablo Uberti's effort after 18 minutes, which gave Bordeaux-Begles the lead they never gave up.

Ioane will leave the province at the end of the season after joining on a seven-month deal.

Next weekend, Leinster host the Lions in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals as they look to defend that crown.

"There are some lads moving on," said Doris.

"So we're going to have to celebrate them over the next couple of days before turning the page to finish the season with silverware."

T.Ikeda--JT