Fresh-feel final to crown new kings of Europe

LONDON :There is a fresh and exciting look to the European Champions Cup final as Northampton face Bordeaux Begles at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, with the English club in the final for the first time since 2011 and the French side making their debut.

In the last 15 years Leinster (seven finals), Saracens (four), La Rochelle (three), Clermont (three), Toulon (three) and Toulouse (three) have dominated Europe's premier club competition.

Leinster were denied a fourth successive appearance - having lost the last three - by an inspired Northampton in an epic semi-final. The team languishing in eighth place in the 10-team Premiership overcame yet another home advantage for the Irish side, who have provided 12 players for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, to triumph 37-34.

That earned Northampton a third appearance in the final after their victory over Munster in 2000 and defeat to Leinster in 2011 and they will be the first English club in the decider since Exeter beat Racing in 2020.

Northampton's defence of their Premiership title has not gone well this season but in Europe they have hit the heights.

Their backline is virtually England's and, in 19-year-old flanker Henry Pollock, they have one of the breakout stars of the sport.

Pollock had not started a Premiership game before this season and was playing for England's under-20s in February, but his incredible combination of pace, athletic ability, nose for a turnover and aggressive mindset have catapulted him into stardom.

He scored two tries on his debut off the bench for England in March and is in the Lions squad, sealing his ticket with a brilliant display against Leinster in the semi-final.

Tommy Freeman, another Lion and prolific try-scorer for England,