Bordeaux beat Northampton in incident-packed final to win Champions Cup for first time
Alex Coles gave Northampton early lead but Saints lost George Furbank and James Ramm to injury in first five minutes at Principality Stadium
Bordeaux ran in three tries before Coles scored on stroke of half-time to bring Saints level
French side dominated second half as Saints tired under relentless pressure
Northampton had two Henry Pollock tries disallowed and Tommy Freeman and Ed Prowse sin-binned
Top 14 sides have won last five Champions Cups
Northampton 7-5 Bordeaux
Matt Dawson
Former Northampton and England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live
It all came from the power upfront. Clever little line-out and Bordeaux's ability to recycle the ball with big fellas running at pace and low height, and then with speed of ball it's a stroll-in for Penaud.
It's so, so simple but also a flavour of the disorganisation that Northampton are experiencing.
Damian Penaud
So easy.
Simple hands and Damian Penaud cruises in.
Image source, ReutersNorthampton 7-0 Bordeaux
Bordeaux go back for the penalty and opt for the corner.
George Furbank leaves the field on a stretcher, so that is his game over. Horrible injury luck.
Northampton 7-0 Bordeaux
Matt Dawson
Former Northampton and England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live
Northampton will have to show some incredible character now having to make two big changes so early.
Northampton 7-0 Bordeaux
Paul Grayson
Former Northampton and England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live
Nightmare start to lose Ramm from the wing and then Furbank.
They don't have a full-back. I don't know how they'll rejig their backline - perhaps Rory Hutchinson will go to full-back - but that is massive stress on the backs and the way they can play.
Northampton 7-0 Bordeaux
Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Principality Stadium
The atmosphere is absolutely crackling in here.
Northampton's fans launched into a loud, long chant of 'Shoe Army' after Alex Coles early score and are now incensed after George Furbank, rushed back for this game from injury, cops a stray, accidental knee.
It looked bad for Furbank. Tom Litchfield is on his place. Possibly for good.
Northampton 7-0 Bordeaux
This is mental! Bordeaux now go pounding towards the tryline but are kept out. George Furbank then takes a heavy knee to the face. He is off to get his head checked.
Northampton 7-0 Bordeaux
James Ramm leaves the field visibly upset. Ollie Sleightholme is on for his first game since March.
Northampton 7-0 Bordeaux
Paul Grayson
Former Northampton and England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live
We had five minutes of fireworks before the game and we've had two minutes of fireworks from Northampton straight from the kick-off.
What a start!
Alex Coles (con Fin Smith)
What a start!
Alex Coles, who was an injury doubt right up until kick-off, stretches his long arms over the line.
Image source, ReutersNorthampton 0-0 Bordeaux
Bordeaux drop the ball and Saints go flying forward. They win a penalty and go quick from Alex Mitchell. This is a crazy fast start.
Northampton 0-0 Bordeaux
It is bouncing in Cardiff and we are under way via Fin Smith. Electric atmosphere!
Northampton v Bordeaux (14:45 BST)
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints head coach Sam Vesty, speaking to BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast: "We're not looking at Bordeaux too much. It's about playing our game when there’s a lot of pressure in such a massive final.
"It's about still being committed to playing fast and making good decisions that might look risky but backing ourselves to do those things well.
"This group of players has come on in the past year and they have all got more experience."
Image source, Getty ImagesNorthampton v Bordeaux (14:45)
Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Principality Stadium
The Principality Stadium planners never skimp on pyro or dry ice. It is as fuggy as a noughties Newquay nightclub in here.
But the French fans lungs are still in fine nick - they bellow their support as their team take a final tour of the stands before heading down the tunnel.
Kick-off coming next...
Northampton v Bordeaux (14:45 BST)
England wing Tommy Freeman will have his work cut out today against his opposite number Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Freeman joined Bielle-Biarrey in touching down in every game of this year's Six Nations, becoming the first Englishman to do so.
Saints fly-half Fin Smith landed a perfect cross-field kick for Freeman to get above Bielle-Biarrey in England's Six Nations win over France.
That try was huge and one of the few times Bielle-Biarrey has been exploited.
Image source, Getty ImagesNorthampton v Bordeaux (14:45 BST)
BBC Radio 5 Live
Live coverage of the match has now started on BBC 5 Live. Listen by clicking the icon at the top of the page.
It's Saints legends Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson alongside rugby correspondent Chris Jones.
Northampton v Bordeaux (14:45)
Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Principality Stadium
Former Bordeaux second row Jandre Marais, who retired from playing and took up a role as an academy coach at the club last summer, is here to cheer on the team with his two young sons.
The South African says that the quality of life, and quality of wine, were key in him extending his stay in south-west France at the end of his playing days.
He is also "100%" confident of victory.
Northampton v Bordeaux (14:45)
Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Principality Stadium
Second row Alex Coles has come through his warm-up - there were some doubts after he picked up a knock in the win over Saracens last weekend - and will start for Northampton.
Saints have won the toss and will kick off.
Northampton v Bordeaux (14:45 BST)
Some news for you...
The first Rugby World Club Cup will be held in 2028 after "unanimous" agreement from the relevant leagues and unions, European Professional Club Rugby has announced.
The competition will then be staged every four years with 16 teams taking part, eight qualifying through the Investec Champions Cup and the remainder from Super Rugby and Japan.
EPCR chairman Dominic McKay confirmed the plans, which have been spoken about for "two or three years", were finalised in Cardiff before the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals.
That competition, along with the second-tier Challenge Cup, will continue to take place, with McKay stating the aim of the World Club Cup is to "elevate them further" while also adding that "ambitious plans" for the already established European tournaments will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Image source, Getty ImagesNorthampton v Bordeaux (14:45 BST)
His wide shot selection may help with your vote.
Looks comfortable to me. Anyway, back to the rugby.
Image source, PA Media
