Damian Penaud Legacy; Henry Pollack Rise: Why To Watch The Champions Cup
Damian Penaud Legacy; Henry Pollack Rise: Why To Watch The Champions Cup
The Investec Champions Cup Final features some of the best players and top rugby clubs in the world. But here are the reasons it's must-watch.
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The stage is set for the Investec Champions Cup Final at 9:45 a.m. ET on May 24, where Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB Rugby) will face off against the Northampton Saints at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
For UBB’s star player, Damian Penaud, this could be one of the most pivotal moments of his career.
Having spent much of his time in the shadow of France’s rugby superstar Antoine Dupont, the Champions Cup Final presents Penaud with an opportunity to cement his legacy.
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Meanwhile, for the Saints, a trying Premiership season after winning the Gallagher Cup in 2024 will be put in perspective with a Champions Cup win. It also will put young star Henry Pollock squarely in the middle of the best rugby players in the world conversation.
Here are a few reasons to watch the 2025 Investec Champions Cup Final on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States:
Damian Penaud: A Key Moment For His Career
“Without a doubt. This is why he made that move to UBB from Clermont,” said FloRugby analyst Philip Bendon. “I think it would have been the easy thing for him to stay with Clermont. Realistically, the way the two clubs were trending, UBB was always going to get closer to this position.”
Penaud’s decision to join UBB was not just about moving to a new club, but about seizing the opportunity to be a central figure on one of Europe’s top teams.
With a chance to play alongside Louis Bielle-Biarrey and a stacked UBB squad, this final could significantly impact his legacy.
“I think it’s absolutely huge for his legacy,” Bendon continued. “If he does come through in terms of his fitness, playing alongside Bielle-Biarrey and this stacked UBB team, it’s obviously giving him a huge chance of success.”
Despite UBB’s strength, Bendon warns that Northampton should not be counted out too early.
“UBB have shown over the years they do have sort of a choke game in them,” he added. “So, for them, having Penaud there is crucial—his experience and ability to change the course of a game when things aren’t going well is going to be crucial when they get tested by the Saints.”
French Rugby’s Dominance: A Fifth Consecutive Title?
If UBB clinches the win, it will mark five consecutive years of French dominance in the Champions Cup, a streak that underscores the current strength of French rugby.
Toulouse and La Rochelle have won the last four Champions Cup Finals, and the French national team has won two of the last four Six Nations.
Bendon spoke to the broader implications of this potential victory, highlighting the cultural and economic forces driving France’s rugby success.
“I think it’s very interesting overall with where the sport is in France,” Bendon said. “It’s obviously the sort of gold standard now for professional rugby.”
He pointed out that French rugby’s success is driven not only by top-tier play, but also by the passion of fans, who are deeply connected to their local clubs.
“It’s quite unique in that it’s a very tribal sort of thing,” Bendon explained. “The fans are the closest thing you probably get to soccer fans in rugby, they’re riding and dying with their squads.”
This combination of high-level rugby and passionate fan bases, along with financial investments from billionaire owners, has allowed French teams to attract the best players worldwide.
“That means they get to fetch players from around the world in there,” Bendon said, emphasizing that this access to top talent gives France’s clubs a significant advantage.
However, Bendon doesn’t see French dominance as unchallenged.
“I think you’ll see in the next five years, the English clubs really close the gap,” he predicted. “They’ve announced that the second division is going to be a lot stronger, and they’re bringing back promotion-relegation for the first time since COVID. So, I think the English clubs will close the gap.”
Northampton Saints: A Challenging Season And A Champions Cup Redemption
Despite being the defending Champions Cup winners, Northampton Saints have struggled in the Premiership this season. Bendon attributed their difficulties to the pressure of being the defending champions and the loss of key players.
“The biggest challenge is whenever you enter the season as the defending champions, every time someone plays you, that’s their Final,” Bendon said. “For the Saints, they’re up against teams who want to knock them off their perch every single week.”
The Saints’ struggles were compounded by the absence of two key leaders: Lewis Ludlam and Courtney Lawes, both of whom were crucial figures in the team’s pack.
“Lawes, in particular, was a key leader and a key performer for them,” Bendon said. “It took a little bit of time for the new guys coming in to replace them, but you see what’s happened when they have. Henry Pollock is a phenom.”
While some of the pressure on Northampton may have been due to their commitment to the Champions Cup over the Premiership, Bendon believes their run to the final has vindicated their strategy.
“They committed harder to the Champions Cup than any other team,” he said. “They were resting players in the Premiership, and they rotated more, which obviously affected their consistency. But it’s paid off—they’ve knocked out Leinster and are now in the final. If they win this, the decision will be fully vindicated.”
The Rise of Henry Pollock: Future Star Of English Rugby?
One of the breakout stars for Northampton has been Henry Pollock, whose potential has caught the attention of many. Bendon is bullish on Pollock’s future, suggesting that he could become one of the game's top players.
“I think the ceiling is pretty much as high as any player in the game,” Bendon said. “For Pollock, the biggest thing will be keeping his feet on the ground. When you have a down season, as all players do, it’s how you come back from it.”
Bendon pointed to Pollock’s versatility and leadership potential.
“I can envision him being another Ardie Savea-style player, a do-it-all player who can play in the backs and the forwards and cover every sort of spot,” he said. “He’s definitely going to be the future of English rugby.”
Pollock’s leadership, even as a young player, has been notable, and Bendon believes he could even be the captain of England within five years.
“I suspect he’ll be England captain within five years - he’s a leader, and he already shows it in how he leads at Northampton,” Bendon said. “It’s huge for a young guy to have that respect in the dressing room.”
Am Investec Champions Cup Final For the Ages
The Investec Champions Cup Final between UBB and Northampton promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams bringing a wealth of talent and experience to the table.
For UBB, this match offers a chance to secure French rugby’s dominance, while for Northampton, it’s an opportunity to redeem its season and defend its title.
With players like Damian Penaud and Henry Pollock leading the charge, fans can expect a spectacle of skill, passion, and rugby excellence in what is set to be an unforgettable final.
How To Watch The Investec Champions Cup Final 2025
The Investec Champions Cup Final is streaming live in the United States on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
Breaking news, highlights and replays of every Champions Cup match is on both platforms.
Where To Watch The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Final
Fans in North America can catch the action live on FloRugby, the official EPCR streaming partner, as the two sides vie for European glory in Cardiff.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.