The Fort Worth Press - Bru challenges Bordeaux-Begles to show 'true selves' in Top 14 after Champions Cup defence

Bru's side hammered Leinster 41-19 in Bilbao for a second straight title but have yet to win the domestic crown, having been founded from a merger of two clubs in 2006.

They sit in fifth place in the Top 14 after an inconsistent compaign with two rounds to go and are likely going to have to go through the play-offs to lift their maiden French crown.

"The Top 14 is a boxing bout every weekend," Bru told reporters.

"I hope we will have all our resources to show our true selves in the Top 14," the former France hooker added.

In-form winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored two tries and captain Maxime Lucu provided 21 points in a dominant display at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.

Since edging Bath in their semi-final three weeks ago, Bordeaux-Begles have struggled in the league with narrow wins over lowly Bayonne and Perpignan.

"It is relief. It has been a hard few weeks," Tonga prop Ben Tameifuna, 34, told Premier Sports.

"This is one of the few times that I was nervous in my career.

"Back-to-back is special."

Bordeaux-Begles were supported by thousands of travelling French fans who had made the four-hour drive down the Atlantic coast to the sold-out 52,000-capacity San Mames stadium, nicknamed 'The Cathedral'.

"What an arena and place to play," Tameifuna said.

"Thank you for everyone who made the trip.

"It is going to be a rough couple of days," he jokingly added.

- 'Keep knocking' -

Leinster lost a record fifth Champions Cup final, having last won the title in 2018 but captain Caelan Doris backed his squad to try again to add to their four crowns next season.

"I admire the resilience of the group to keep knocking," said Doris.

"We have a lot of strength in the group to keep coming back to keep working hard to keep coming to these stages.

"I have faith that we're going to do the same again," he added

They trailed 35-7 at the break having conceded five tries, including a Yoram Moefana interception from 80-metres out.

"They're capable of big moments out of nothing, a lot of the scraps went their way," Doris said.

"We left ourselves too tall of a mountain to climb.

"I'm happy with the resolve and how put the first half behind us."

New Zealand winger Rieko Ioane had a quiet day, even being outsmarted in defence for Pablo Uberti's effort after 18 minutes, which gave Bordeaux-Begles the lead they never gave up.

Ioane will leave the province at the end of the season after joining on a seven-month deal.

Next weekend, Leinster host the Lions in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals as they look to defend that crown.

"There are some lads moving on," said Doris.

"So we're going to have to celebrate them over the next couple of days before turning the page to finish the season with silverware."

P.Navarro--TFWP