While Northampton Saints’ dream of lifting the Investec Champions Cup for a second time ultimately ended in heartbreak, Director of Rugby Phil Dowson underlined the achievement of reaching the Final should not be forgotten in a hurry.
The men in Black, Green and Gold became the first English team in five years to reach the last match of European club rugby’s top tournament as they overcame Castres (twice), Munster, Vodacom Bulls, Clermont Auvergne and Leinster to secure their spot in Saturday’s Principality Stadium showdown.
Ultimately it was Bordeaux Bègles who extended French rugby’s five-year streak of success in this competition as they edged a ferocious battle in Cardiff 28-20, as Saints tasted defeat at the final hurdle for the second time in 14 years – at the same venue.
“We have to celebrate the journey,” said Dowson. “I spoke about 2011 and the disappointment of losing that Final, but actually there was the enjoyment of the journey to get there.
“We’ve got lots of very fond memories of getting to this point and in lots of parts of the game, we were very good, but we weren’t good enough.”
Phil Dowson, Director of Rugby
“It’s something we have to take on the chin and learn from.”
Saints were firmly in the fight at half-time as two tries from Alex Coles and ten points from Fin Smith’s boot saw them go in all square on the scoreboard at 20-all.
Dowson was forced to contend with losing both James Ramm and George Furbank to injury in the first five minutes, and then Temo Mayanavanua’s Final ended before half-time after a high tackle from Bordeaux’s Mahamadou Diaby, who was yellow carded for the offence.
Shorn of fresh legs to introduce in the second half, Saints fought valiantly under a barrage of pressure to only concede eight points. But unable to improve on their own points tally after the interval, Saints were denied their moment of glory.
“First of all, credit to Bordeaux – it was a fantastic performance and we saw their quality across the pitch so I hope they enjoy their celebrations,” Dowson added.
“Of course we can do better on lots of different areas and some things went against us, such as those early injuries.
“I’m immensely proud of the effort and there are a lot of disappointed players out there.
Immense.
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) May 25, 2025
To the thousands that travelled to Cardiff and those who followed us on our Investec Champions Cup journey this season, thank you 👏 pic.twitter.com/48tznwQR7f
“Invariably you lose really good players [to injury] and it makes it tricky, but we trust the bench and we knew the bench could go 75 minutes or more.
“Clearly it had an impact, and you want your best players out there, but I’m also conscious that every Director of Rugby in the world would say his squad is never fully fit.
“It was disappointing, but those things happen and we have to move on.
“It’s still a very young group and I keep saying that, but someone like Tom Litchfield is exactly what the club’s all about in terms of Academy development, playing at Bedford Blues in our partnership with them and then playing on one of the biggest stages in club rugby in a Final.
“That’s the joy of it, seeing their journey, it’s just a shame that hasn’t been punctuated with a big win this time.”
