Union Bordeaux Begles rose from the ashes of a 2004 bankruptcy to reach the 2025 Investec Champions Cup final. Formed in 2006 from the merger of Stade Bordelais and CA Bordeaux Begles Gironde, the club won promotion to the Top 14 in 2011 and became the city's main sporting attraction. Their rise has been remarkable by any measure.

Australian winger Blair Connor joined Bordeaux Begles in 2010 when the club sat in France's second tier. His 200-plus appearances helped steer them through promotion, Champions Cup qualification and a first European Cup appearance in 2015-16. By 2021, Louis Bielle-Biarrey emerged as a France star and driving force.

Bordeaux beat Toulouse and Bath to reach Saturday's final against Leinster. Connor, who retired after 2020, says Leinster remain dangerous opponents despite Bordeaux's status as favourites. "If everyone turns up and plays to their level, Bordeaux are unstoppable," he told BBC Sport.