Investec Champions Cup Team Of The Season 2024-2025, UBB Claims First Title
Investec Champions Cup Team Of The Season 2024-2025, UBB Claims First Title
Union Bordeaux-Bègles triumphs in a historic Champions Cup Final, signaling a power shift in European rugby. See our full 2024-2025 Team of the Tournament.
The streets of Cardiff, Wales, once pulsing with full-blooded celebration following Union Bordeaux-Bègles’ dramatic triumph over the Northampton Saints, quickly fell silent, offering a stark reminder that the greatest club competition in rugby has come to a close for another season.
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In a final devoid of the sport’s dominant trio—Stade Toulousain, Stade Rochelais and Leinster Rugby—the 2024-2025 Champions Cup may well have signaled a shift in the balance of power.
For the first time since the Exeter Chiefs’ COVID-disrupted title win in 2020, a fresh narrative emerged. The traditional hierarchy was shaken, and this year’s competition proved to be one of the most fiercely contested in the past decade.
Fully deserving of the crown, Union Bordeaux-Bègles officially has entered the realm of Europe’s elite. The squad's rival in Cardiff, Northampton, confirmed its status as a club on the rise with a thrilling run that fell just short of glory.
As the curtain falls on the intercontinental pinnacle of the club season, attention now returns to domestic matters. But before we look ahead, we take one final look back—with our 2024-2025 Champions Cup Team of the Tournament.
1. Jefferson Poirot – Union Bordeaux-Bègles
A cornerstone of UBB’s march to the title, Poirot’s dominant campaign was a reminder of the class that saw him capped 36 times for France.
Having retired from international rugby at just 27, his semifinal performance against Toulouse suggests he could easily return to the Test arena—and thrive.
2. Curtis Langdon – Northampton Saints
Nuggety, combative and relentless, Langdon did the hard graft up front to give Northampton’s back line the platform it needed. A tireless warrior throughout.
3. Dorian Aldegheri – Stade Toulousain
Toulouse’s rock at tighthead, Aldegheri started every match and demolished most opposition looseheads—except, fittingly, Poirot.
Second in the French pecking order, but never second-best in this campaign.
4. Guido Petti – Union Bordeaux-Bègles
A mobile, multi-positional weapon, Petti was a force around the breakdown and a towering presence at the line-out, especially in the quarterfinal against Munster.
His athleticism and versatility epitomized UBB’s dynamic forward play.
5. Emmanuel Meafou – Stade Toulousain
A behemoth with serious engine.
Meafou’s carries and defensive work powered Toulouse through the knockouts, particularly in a gritty win over Toulon.
6. Jack Conan – Leinster Rugby
One of the most effective carriers in Europe, Conan’s exclusion from Leinster’s starting XV against Northampton was puzzling.
His ability to punch holes and link with backs made him a key threat in an otherwise inconsistent campaign.
7. Henry Pollock – Northampton Saints
The breakthrough star of the season.
Pollock’s staggering numbers—seven tries, 19 turnovers and 103 tackles—tell the story of a player who looks destined for test honors.
Fearless and ferocious.
8. Caelan Doris – Leinster Rugby
A cruelly timed injury robbed Doris—and Leinster—of a defining moment.
Touted as a future Lions captain, his influence on both sides of the ball was evident until his season-ending setback.
9. Maxime Lucu – Union Bordeaux-Bègles
Man of the match in the final and UBB’s tactical heartbeat.
With Dupont still France’s undisputed starter, Lucu has cemented himself as the perfect deputy—calm, composed and ruthlessly efficient.
10. Matthieu Jalibert – Union Bordeaux-Bègles
A redemption arc sealed with silverware.
Jalibert outshone Romain Ntamack in their head-to-head meeting and again stepped up on the biggest stage, outclassing Fin Smith in the final. A statement season.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – Union Bordeaux-Bègles
Lethal in space and unmatched in pace, LBB has become rugby’s most dangerous open-field runner.
Discovered via a sprint test, he now blazes past world-class defenses with ease.
A superstar in full flight.
12. Jordie Barrett – Leinster Rugby
Arguably the best player in the competition—and bafflingly benched for Leinster’s semifinal.
Barrett was unplayable when unleashed, and his omission may go down as the biggest selection blunder of the season.
13. Tommaso Menoncello – Benetton Rugby
The Italian powerhouse was central to Benetton’s historic campaign.
Destined for Stade Rochelais, Menoncello combines backrow-level physicality with a center's finesse. World-class.
14. Damian Penaud – Union Bordeaux-Bègles
A record-breaking 14 tries—and few of them routine.
Penaud’s strike rate and creativity made him near-unstoppable. The kind of form that shifts games and wins trophies.
15. Thomas Ramos – Stade Toulousain
This season’s top scorer and Toulouse’s metronome.
Ramos’ clutch penalty to edge Exeter in the quarters was typical of a campaign defined by precision and poise. As essential as Dupont to Toulouse’s hopes.
Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby)
17. Dany Priso (RC Toulon)
18. Ben Tameifuna (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby)
20. RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
23. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
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