Union Bordeaux-Begles overwhelmed Leinster in the final, making Leinster look one-paced and suffering a crushing defeat. The match took place in San Mames Stadium in Bilbao under intense heat, with tens of thousands of jubilant French supporters chanting for UBB. The performance reflected a style of rugby played with obvious joy and natural confidence. Rugby union is described as relying on international competition as its primary engine, while domestic sport provides weekly intensity and colour for fans. UBB are presented as the best-supported rugby club in the world, and their support and energy are portrayed as exceptional. Bordeaux are fifth in the Top 14 with two rounds remaining, likely securing playoffs and remaining contenders for a first title.
"Leinster tried to contain them. Leinster, packed with experienced internationals, dripping with silverware, were desperate to avoid yet another agonising defeat in this final. Leinster were rudely introduced to the concept of absolutely crushing defeat. They were destroyed, made to look one-paced by a team of exuberant artistes who play rugby as if they simply love it, as if playing brilliant rugby were the most obvious and natural course of action."
"To be in the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on a suffocatingly hot afternoon, among tens of thousands of jubilant Frenchmen chanting Allez, allez, UBB! with the same kind of relentless exuberance of the team itself was to be reminded that there is nothing like domestic sport for intensity and colour. Of the major team sports, rugby union is the only one for which international competition is the primary engine."
"Domestic sport is what supplies fans with their regular diet of weekly action; international sport is the spicy delicacy every now and then. They say UBB are the best-supported rugby club in the world. Such was the all-round exuberance, it is difficult to imagine any national team, even in rugby union, inspiring the same."
"And, to think, Bordeaux are fifth in the Top 14, with two rounds to play. They will likely make the playoffs, so no one will be discounting them from winning a first title, although versions in the 19th and 20th century have claimed the fabled Bouclier de Brennus, or winner's shield. But it is sobering to note their modest standing in the current table and inspiring to see them"
Read at www.theguardian.com
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