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Doris: Leinster need to take European Champions Cup final 'moment by moment'

20h09 CEST

22/05/2026

Leinster's Caelan Doris has urged his team-mates to take Saturday's European Champions Cup final against Bordeaux Begles "moment by moment".

Leinster have a lot of experience playing in European finals, having participated in the showpiece on eight separate occasions. However, they lifted the most recent of their four titles in 2018, when the final was last held in Bilbao.

Each of their three appearances in the championship match since then has seen them lose to French opposition – in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Like Bordeaux, Leinster have won all of their games in the competition this season, and Doris is determined to come out on top, while enjoying the result of the team's hard work.

"A lot of it is down to trusting. Trusting the group and trusting the ability to trust each other," the Leinster captain said.

"In the big games, you just want to attack it and narrow it down, not think of it as one big, massive occasion.

"Moment by moment, there are going to be a lot of fights, and a big part of it is enjoying it because these are the days that you strive for.

"At the start of the season, you're looking to be on this stage, and there are all the sacrifices that the squad, the staff and families have made over the years to get us to a point like this. So, we need to attack it properly and enjoy it as well."

Bordeaux, meanwhile, are looking to defend their title after beating Northampton Saints 28-20 to lift the trophy in Cardiff last year.

They were playing in their first European final and had entered it as the top seeds, while they will be doing so again at San Mames.

And it will be a special day for Basque native Maxime Lucu, who is stepping out on his home soil, and the magnitude of the situation is not lost on him.

"A European Cup final already represents a lot of things, sacrifices, and efforts," he said.

"And to see it in the Basque Country, a stadium where I've been in the stands to watch Athletic Bilbao matches, but also the 2018 Champions Cup final…

"It brings back so many memories. For my family and me, it's something special to go and play there."

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