Players Who Matter In Northampton Saints Vs. UBB Rugby: Maxime Lucu
Players Who Matter In Northampton Saints Vs. UBB Rugby: Maxime Lucu
Maxime Lucu leads Bordeaux Bègles into the team's first Champions Cup Final vs. the Northampton, proving doubters wrong and stepping up in Dupont's absence.
Union Bordeaux-Bègles captain Maxime Lucu might not have dreamed of moments like this, but on Saturday, May 24, the 32-year-old scrumhalf will lead his club into its first Investec Champions Cup Final against Northampton Saints at the Principality Stadium — streamed live on FloRugby for fans in North America and U.S. Territories.
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Lucu's path to Cardiff has been anything but conventional.
Born Jan. 12, 1993, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the French international never set out to be a rugby star. But fate — and fierce determination — had other ideas.
After years of being overlooked, he quietly built a career founded on consistency, leadership and an uncanny ability to rise when it matters most.
In May 2025, Lucu delivered one of the defining performances of his career, guiding Bordeaux past reigning champion Toulouse 35-18 in the semifinals.
His precision with the boot, including two conversions and a jaw-dropping 60-meter penalty, helped secure the club’s historic berth in the final.
Internationally, Lucu has long lived in the shadow of French icon Antoine Dupont. But when Dupont went down with an ACL injury during the Six Nations, Lucu stepped in with poise.
“We were ready for all scenarios,” Lucu said after the win over Ireland. "It hurt to lose Antoine, but the team stuck to the plan."
Lucu’s numbers for France are staggering: 26 caps, just one defeat and a near-mythical 96% win rate. His lone international try came in Cardiff in March 2024, appropriately enough — the very venue where he’ll now chase European glory.
From a third-choice Pro D2 scrumhalf at Biarritz to the captain of a European finalist, Lucu has made a career out of proving people wrong.
Often compared to actor Jason Statham for his no-nonsense demeanor, he is as dependable as he is unassuming.
His late cousin Xavier once dreamed of seeing Lucu represent France on the biggest stage. That dream now fuels him.
With France’s 2022 Grand Slam and 2025 Six Nations titles under his belt, Lucu no longer is just a backup — he’s the man steering the ship.
On Saturday, he doesn’t just carry Bordeaux’s hopes — he carries the quiet legacy of a player who was never supposed to be here, yet never looked more ready.
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