No surprises in Investec Finalists - Ireland vs. France. May 7, 2026
Four worthy semifinalists clashed at the weekend in Dublin and Bordeaux to settle who will play for the Investec Champions Cup trophy in Bilbao on May 23.
In the first match, at the Aviva in Dublin, Leinster, currently 4th in the URC took on RC Toulon lying 8th in France’s Top 14. Leinster have a strong record in the Investec CC having won the cup 4 times, last in 2018, but more recently have lost the final on 3 occasions, each time against French opposition (Stade Rochelais twice in ‘22 and ‘23, and against Toulouse in 2024). Toulon currently lie 8th in the Top 14 and must make the top 6 to go on to the knockout round in mid-June, and were losing semi-finalists in the T14 last year. Leinster dominated the game from the kickoff but a stout French defense and indiscipline from the home team (2 yellows in the few minutes before half time) kept Toulon in reach, down just 14-11 at the break. In H2, two Irish tries and a penalty plus a Toulon yellow saw Leinster open up a 29-11 lead with just 12 minutes remaining. But Toulon put together 2 quick tries to close the gap to 29-25 and might have snatched the win but for a dropped pass on a thrilling move down the right wing moments before the final whistle.
On Sunday, Bath, defending Premiership champions and currently 2nd in this year’s competition, travelled to Bordeaux to take on Union Bordeaux-Begles, the defending ICC champions (beating Northampton Saints a year ago) and lying 6th in this season’s T14. Both sides are renowned for their attacking style and this semi-final was no exception. Both sides scored tries early (7-7 after 7 minutes) but UBB managed to keep ahead throughout the match. 3 tries and a penalty in H1 for the hosts against 2 tries for the visitors saw UBB up 24-12 at the break. Despite scoring early in H2 (24-19), Bath were always behind, overwhelmed at times by the sheer power power of the Bordeaux scrum and their speed at the breakdown and with ball in hand. Bath scored another try at the close but UBB’s two converted tries in H2 ran them out 38-26 winners. UBB’s 9, Lucu was the deserved man-of-the-match, involved in every aspect of the game to great effect.
So Leinster, stocked with Irish internationals and some excellent immigrants in the squad like Rieko Ioane (All Blacks) and RG Snyman (Springboks) head to Bilbao to take on UBB, similarly stacked with top-flight French internationals including Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, Lucu, Penaud and Woki plus fearsome imports like Tonga’s Ben Tameifuna. Both sides will want this trophy very badly; Bordeaux to repeat, which only 5 teams have achieved in the last 30 years; and Leinster to get back to their winning ways, 4 times since 2009 but last in 2018.
Matches to watch this weekend include; Gallagher Premiership - Leicester Tigers #3 vs. Northampton Saints #1; Bristol #5 vs. Saracens #6; and Exeter Chiefs #4 vs. Bath #2; In the URC - Leinster #4 vs. Lions #3; Glasgow #2 vs. Cardiff #6. And Top 14 - RC Toulon #8 vs. Toulouse #1; ASM Clermont #5 vs. UBB #6. All on florugby.com as are replays of the Investec competition.
Finally, Round 4 of the Women’s 6 Nations takes place on Saturday: Italy at home to England; Scotland hosting France and Ireland at home to Wales. All on Peacock.com live and replays.