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Dowson Challenges Saints to Reach Peak in Euro Final

Northampton Saints and Union Bordeaux-Bègles will face each other on May 24 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium in the landmark 30th anniversary final of Europe's premier club rugby competition.
The final marks 30 years since the competition began in 1996, with Cardiff hosting for the sixth time, and Bordeaux making their debut appearance.
Northampton, the 2000 champions, advanced after a 37-34 semi-final win over Leinster, featuring four Lions debutants, while Bordeaux beat defending champions Toulouse 35-18.
Over 60,000 tickets have sold for the match broadcast live on UK channels including S4C, and key players include Northampton's Fin Smith and Bordeaux's Matthieu Jalibert, each with 71 points.
Northampton director Phil Dowson urges focus amid distractions to achieve a second title 25 years after their maiden win, suggesting a well-attended final with major implications for players like Augustus.

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nationalworld.com

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Northampton Saints can use England template against Bordeaux, says Benjamin Kayser

Kayser is relishing the head-to-head on the wing between Tommy Freeman and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who last went up against each other during England’s Six Nations win over France in February.

2 days ago

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RTÉ

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Dowson challenges Saints to reach peak in Euro final

Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson has challenged his squad to make sure their peak performance of the season comes in the Champions Cup final against Bordeaux on Saturday

3 days ago·Ireland

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Planet Rugby

Former France star Benjamin Kayser issues warning over 'mind-blowingly good' Mathieu Jalibert who wants to 'set the record straight' in Champions Cup final

When Fin Smith last played against Matthieu Jalibert, there was only one winner. England beat France and Smith was man of the match.

22 hours ago·Dunedin, New Zealand

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Extra.ie

URC failure not an option for Leinster as Champions Cup regrets sink in

It’s now almost three weeks since Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton, but the post-mortems, inquisitions and theories are continuing to do the rounds. There has been forensic analysis within the inner sanctum of Leinster HQ in the wake of their latest European failure. Leo Cullen, the Leinster backroom team and the playing group have been left to ruminate over yet another systems failure on a big day. This week won’t help th…

2 days ago

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The Rugby Paper

Champions Cup Final Preview: Can Northampton Saints pick up their second star?

“It’s not an individual sport, it’s a team sport, and we need everybody, and that includes support staff and everybody on side.” Director of Rugby Phil Dowson thinks that his team’s formidable faith and strong unity will be crucial in picking up that second star in the Champions Cup Final in Cardiff. Former European Champions […] The post Champions Cup Final Preview: Can Northampton Saints pick up their second star? appeared first on The Rugby P…

2 days ago

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Sports.fr

Antoine Dupont and Iris Mittenaere, the Shock of Photos

J-2 before the final of the Champions Cup. On Saturday, in Cardiff, the Union Bègles-Bordeaux will play the first European final of its history, against Northampton. As a result of his spectacular victory against the Stade Toulosain in the semifinal. Taking the title, the Toulousans were able to measure the weight of the absence of Antoine Dupont. Deprived of their master to play, on the flank due to his serious knee injury against Ireland durin…

2 days ago

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