Montpellier reaches Challenge Cup final with decisive victory in Bilbao
Montpellier beat Newport Dragons 18-12 to reach the Challenge Cup final.
Event / Sports
European Rugby Champions Cup 2026
Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Montpellier advance to the finals of European club rugby competitions. Bordeaux-Bègles defeated Bath 38-26 in the Champions Cup semi-final on May 3, 2026, and will face Leinster in the final on May 23, 2026 in Bilbao. Montpellier secured a Challenge Cup final berth with an 18-12 victory over Newport Dragons and will play Ulster on May 22, 2026.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 3 May, 17:07 UTC
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What happened
Union Bordeaux-Bègles defeats Bath 38-26 in Champions Cup semi-final
Union Bordeaux-Bègles defeated Bath 38-26 in a Champions Cup semi-final match played on May 3, 2026 at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux. The match was delayed by 10 minutes due to lightning strikes near the stadium. Bordeaux scored five tries total, with key tries from Marko Gazzotti (2nd minute), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (15th minute), Maxime Lucu (35th minute), Ben Tameifuna (70th minute), and Temo Matiu (77th minute). Bath replied with tries from Will Muir (7th and 27th minutes) and Louie Hennessey (51st minute). Bordeaux led 24-12 at halftime.
Leinster defeats Toulon 29-25 in Champions Cup semi-final
Leinster defeated RC Toulon 29-25 in the other Champions Cup semi-final on May 2, 2026 (Saturday), securing their place in the final against Union Bordeaux-Bègles on May 23, 2026 in Bilbao.
Montpellier advances to Challenge Cup final with 18-12 victory over Newport Dragons
Montpellier defeated Newport Dragons 18-12 in a Challenge Cup semi-final on May 3, 2026, qualifying for the Challenge Cup final. Montpellier will face Ulster in the Challenge Cup final on May 22, 2026 in Bilbao. This is Montpellier's third appearance in a Challenge Cup final, having previously won the competition in 2016 and 2021.
Union Bordeaux-Bègles qualifies for Champions Cup final to defend title
Union Bordeaux-Bègles advanced to the Champions Cup final as defending champions, securing their spot for the final scheduled for May 23, 2026 in Bilbao, Spain. The victory marked their 15th consecutive win and they will face either Leinster or Ulster in the final. Bordeaux will attempt to achieve a second consecutive title in the competition, following their 2025 victory over Northampton (28-20).
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