Handbrake off in Cardiff Northampton will hit the accelerator in Champions Cup clash with Bordeaux

How do Northampton Saints go again? After pulling off a stunning upset to avenge last season's semi-final defeat by Leinster and take their place in Saturday's final, the question is how do Phil Dowson's side overcome one of the French giants, Bordeaux, to clinch the Champions Cup?

- Ugo Monye

Had the final been a week later I'd have feared for Northampton but they are helped by the ability to distract themselves with Premiership action, and I think the manner of victory over Leinster plays into their hands. Northampton need to focus on being unashamedly themselves. In Dublin the gameplan was to put the car into fifth gear from the first whistle and that's precisely what they did. When your approach is so authentic and in keeping with your culture, it makes it that much easier.

I also think we have two teams contesting the final after the heartache of last year - maybe even because of it. They both lost knockout matches in this competition in agonising circumstances and it often goes that you have to lose one to win one. Perhaps it will be a similar story for Bath in their Challenge Cup final against Lyon tomorrow. They lost the Premiership final last season and are now odds-on to complete a treble.