HEARTACHE FOR SAINTS AS FRENCH RAIDERS TAKE CUP

NORTHAMPTON suffered Investec Champions Cup final heartache as Bordeaux-Begles claimed an epic 28-20 victory at the Principality Stadium.

- ANDREW BALDOCK

A pulsating contest saw the French club record their first Champions Cup success, but Saints gave it everything after losing backs George Furbank and James Ramm to injuries inside the opening five minutes.

Seeking a first Champions Cup title for 25 years, Northampton went toe to toe with their opponents as flanker Alex Coles’ try double underpinned an outstanding Saints display.

Fly-half Fin Smith added two penalties and two conversions, but Bordeaux’s superior finishing power delivered two tries for wing Damian Penaud, while locks Adam Coleman and Cyril Cazeaux also touched down.

Matthieu Jalibert booted a penalty and conversion, and captain Maxime Lucu also kicked a penalty as Bordeaux made it five years in a row for French clubs to win the tournament.

But Northampton could not have done much more, going the distance and making their opponents work for everything.

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 Smith adding the extras.