Leinster vs Bordeaux Predictions - Bordeaux set to win back-to-back Investec Champions Cup titles

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

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Brad Newcomb 1 hour ago

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Bordeaux have scored 50+ points three times and recently beat Toulouse & Bath
Leinster have lost their last three Champions Cup finals
Bordeaux are tipped to cover the -7.5 handicap against Leinster in the final

Bordeaux won last season's European Rugby Champions Cup (Getty Images)

Leinster have reached their fourth in five seasons, but arrive under pressure after losing their last three finals of the Investec Champions Cup. Bordeaux have had a superb qualifying campaign in this season's competition and are the defending champions.

Bordeaux recently beat Toulouse and Bath to reach the final.
Bordeaux have scored 50 points or more three times in this season's competition.
Leinster have lost three consecutive European Rugby Champions Cup finals.

Head to Head

Leinster and Bordeaux will meet for the first time in a competitive match.

Leinster Form

Leinster secured a narrow victory over Toulon in their recent European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final clash, winning 29-25 after leading 14-11 at half-time.

Before that, the team from Dublin cruised to an easy 43-13 win over Sale Sharks in the quarter-finals and beat Edinburgh 49-31 in the round of 16.

The four-time champions had a solid campaign during the pool stages of the competition. They defeated Harlequins 45-28, the Leicester Tigers 23-15, La Rochelle 25-24, and Bayonne 22-13.

Leinster have played two home matches in the United Rugby Championship since qualifying for the Investec Champions Cup final. They defeated the Lions 31-7 and the Ospreys 68-14.

Leinster will be out to end their run of losing three finals in a row; however, they face a tough challenge against the defending champions Bordeaux, as the Top 14 side have defeated the likes of the Northampton Saints, Toulouse and Bath on the road to the final.

Bordeaux Form

Bordeaux recently faced Bath in the semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup, winning 38-26 after leading 24-12 at the break.

Before that, the reigning champions defeated Toulouse 30-15 in the quarter-finals and thumped the Leicester Tigers 64-14 in the round of 16.

During the pool stages of the competition, Union Bordeaux Begles were in great touch. They defeated the Bulls 46-33, the Scarlets 50-21, Northampton Saints 50-28, and Bristol 27-15.

Bordeaux have played two matches in the Top 14 since reaching the final of the European Rugby Champions Cup. They defeated Bayonne 40-38 away and beat Perpignan 37-32 at home.

The Bordeaux Begles have been in fine form during their title defence and hold an edge over Leinster, with their opponents having come up short in three finals in a row and reaching this season’s showpiece after a comparatively easier route.

Team News

Leinster

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has highlighted what needs to be done to win the European Rugby Champions Cup final: “It’s about delivering on the basics when it comes down to it and not overreaching in these big games.

“No one’s giving us a chance, but we’ll do everything we can to give ourselves the best chance.”

Tommy O'Brien is set to undergo further assessment after withdrawing from the match against the Ospreys, with a decision on his availability to be made later this week.

Brian Deeny, Joshua Kenny and Paddy McCarthy will all undergo further assessment, with a decision on their availability expected later this week.

Hugh Cooney was injured last weekend and will be unavailable for the remainder of the season.

Ireland internationals Paddy McCarthy and Jordan Larmour have been named as additional players in the squad for the final against Bordeaux.

Bordeaux

Fly-half Matthieu Jalibert has stated that he expects a tactical battle against Leinster in the final, but his team have been up to the task: “Their defence is very aggressive. They are excellent at the breakdown, very intense in all the unseen work, strong at set-piece and very good in the aerial battle.

“Their strategy against our creativity, that will be the challenge this weekend.

“That is part of our DNA. We always try to create chaos. I think we are one of the best teams in Europe in that type of game.

“We’ve shown against Toulouse and Bath that we can step up in knockout matches,” he said. “But it’s not enough to say it. We have to do it.”

Verdict

Leinster v Bordeaux

Bordeaux have been one of the standout attacking sides in this edition of the Investec Champions Cup and are tipped to cover the -7.5 handicap in their final clash against Leinster.

Bordeaux -7.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 3 Units

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