Bordeaux Begles successfully defended their European Champions Cup title with a 41-19 victory over Leinster at San Mames Stadium.

Leinster made the perfect start in Bilbao as wing Tommy O'Brien scored the opening try in the sixth minute, and though Harry Byrne scored his conversion, it triggered a title-winning onslaught from the reigning champions.

Maxime Lucu was the first player to cross the line for Bordeaux, before Pablo Uberti and Louis Bielle-Biarrey both scored tries of their own inside 25 minutes to put the French side back in control of Saturday's showpiece.

And there was more damage to come before half-time, as Bielle-Biarrey scored again before Yoram Moefana's try saw Bordeaux take a 35-7 lead into the break, all but confirming their title defence.

Joe McCarthy went over for Leinster five minutes into the second half, where the four-time champions did all they could in the hopes of producing an unlikely comeback, while two penalties from Lucu, who was briefly in the sin bin, kept Bordeaux going.

Garry Ringrose scored once more for Leinster, though it was more heartbreak for them in the competition as Bordeaux once again emerged as champions.

When you work so hard all season, days like this cut deep.

Thank you for your incredible support through the highs and lows. pic.twitter.com/eYWadaNPTu

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 23, 2026

Data Debrief: Leinster's Bilbao dreams turn into nightmares

Leinster's last Champions Cup win came in 2018, when the final was also held in Bilbao, but they could not replicate that triumph this time after being blown away by Bordeaux.

Leinster have now lost their last five finals in the competition, while Bordeaux are now the sixth team in the tournament's history to have successfully defended their crown.

And Lucu was the star of the show for Bordeaux; he was directly responsible for 23 of the French side's 41 points in the final.