Bordeaux overpower Northampton to win Champions Cup

CARDIFF -Bordeaux Begles were crowned kings of Europe for the first time on Saturday when 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 halftime.

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 scrumhalf Maxime Lucu.

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.

"I am very proud of this team. This competition is very difficult. This is so emotional," Penaud told Premier Sports after being crowned the competition's player of the season.

Northampton captain Fraser Dingwall said the day's setbacks summed up the club's season.

"We were never going to go away but we gave them too many opportunities," he said. "It's frustrating when it comes down to small margins. We stayed in there and forced turnovers but against good teams you can't keep giving them chances."

Northampton, struggling in eighth place in the Premiership in a disappointing defence of their title, overcame an injury-hit build-up to fly out of the blocks as Coles forced himself over for the opening try.

They then suffered a double setback as winger James Ramm and fullback George Furbank went off injured in the first five minutes.

After a