Investec Champions Cup: Leinster face ‘serious challenge’ against Bordeaux in final

Bilbao hold fond memories for Leinster and head coach Leo Cullen, but they will be a thing of the past on Saturday afternoon.

Leinster are aiming for their fifth Champions Cup title but reigning champions Bordeaux stand in their way.

The Irish province’s recent record in European finals has been largely made up.

Since winning the Champions Cup in Bilbao in 2018, they have lost four of their most recent decisions.

That included three defeats in a row from 2022 to 2024, but they returned to the decider to topple a star-studded Bordeaux side.

For Cullen, no memory, good or bad, will figure into Saturday’s equation.

“It was a great day in 2018 but it’s in the past now,” Cullen said.

“It’s a completely different challenge with a different team.

“Everyone has worked incredibly hard to get to this stage and to be here now is amazing, but it’s going to be a serious challenge

“But we want to be at this stage. So let’s try and embrace the occasion and make sure we try to give our best performance.”