Bordeaux Begles were crowned kings of Europe for the first time as they combined rapier finishing with relentless forward power to beat Northampton 28-20 in a tense and often chaotic Champions Cup final at the Principality Stadium.
Two tries for Damian Penaud and one for Adam Coleman had the French side ahead, but Alex Coles followed his third-minute score with another in the 40th to make it 20-20 at the end of a crazy first half full of tries, injuries and yellow cards.
Bordeaux, appearing in the final for the first time, tightened the screw in the second half and their forward power and driving mauls allowed them to forge eight points clear after a Cyril Cazeaux try and a penalty for man of the match scrum-half Maxime Lucu (below, right).
Northampton showed admirable spirit to stay in the game but were unable to conjure the attacking backline moves that swept them to the final and instead the title went to France for the fifth year in a row.
Saints made a lightning-quick start, going ahead after just 107 seconds as they kept possession from kick-off and Coles crashed over from close range, with Fin Smith adding the extras.
That score was tempered, though, by an immediate injury blow when wing James Ramm had to be helped off as England international Ollie Sleightholme replaced him for a first club appearance since December.
George Furbank's exit followed shortly afterwards after he took an accidental knee to his face from Bordeaux full-back Romain Buros, continuing a horrible run for him after playing just 57 minutes of rugby this year because of a broken arm and then aggravating that injury.
Tom Litchfield took over from Furbank, and Bordeaux immediately scored an equalising try as Penaud (above) crossed for his 13th try in this season’s competition.
Bordeaux should have gone ahead in the 15th minute, but Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s pass to Penaud was ruled forward and the disallowed score meant Saints enjoyed a huge let-off.
But UBB continued to press, and some magical footwork from Matthieu Jalibert – which he followed with a superb floated pass – sent Coleman over in the corner, and the fly-half’s conversion left Northampton five points behind.
Smith quickly cut the gap with a long-range penalty, yet that was soon cancelled out by a Jalibert strike as Bordeaux led 15-10 midway through the second quarter.
The French side had flanker Mahamadou Diaby (above, left) yellow-carded following head on head contact with Saints lock Temo Mayanavanua, and Northampton looked to make their temporary one-man advantage count.
A second Smith penalty kept his team firmly in contention, but Saints then saw wing Tommy Freeman receive a yellow card after an aerial challenge, and Penaud pounced for his second try, but Coles (below) then claimed his own double.
Smith’s conversion made it 20-20 at the interval – a pulsating 40 minutes that produced the most first-half points scored in a Champions Cup final.
Henry Pollock had a try disallowed within two minutes of the restart, and Saints briefly went down to 13 players when replacement lock Ed Prowse collected a yellow card, before Lucu’s 44th-minute penalty edged Bordeaux back in front.
Northampton continued to give it everything, but they could not halt Bordeaux’s power game from close range, and Cazeaux went over to open up an eight-point gap.
And that proved enough to thwart Northampton’s brave bid, with Bordeaux closing out the contest and sparking wild scenes of celebration.
Additional reporting: PA
