Garry Ringrose prepared for ''big game'' Champions Cup final

Leinster Rugby are chasing their fifth Investec Champions Cup crown, as they take on reigning champions Union Bordeaux Bègles in this weekend’s final in Bilbao.

Despite reaching the latter stages of the competition consistently in recent years, Leinster have fallen short on several occasions.

Reflecting on those experiences, Leinster centre Garry Ringrose admitted the lessons learned from previous campaigns have shaped the squad’s mentality heading into Saturday’s showdown.

He said: “As with all the big games I've been lucky enough to be involved in with Leinster, I've learned valuable lessons. Some a little bit more painful than others.

“Lessons from previous experiences are just to focus on the preparation and working as hard as we can to go all in on the game,

“We can't control the outcome, we can't control the results, unfortunately, so it's just focusing on preparing as best we can, and what will be will be result-wise.”

The Ireland international also praised the depth and competitiveness within the Leinster setup.

“I feel lucky to be part of a group where everyone's turning up, competitive and pushing each other to be better for themselves and for the team,” he continued.

“I feel like there's always someone coming up through and training that's pushing the dial,

“The 23 guys that are lucky enough to go out on any weekend are representing the whole group, so it motivates you to give it the best effort.”

The last time Leinster lifted the trophy came in Bilbao in 2018, when they defeated Racing 92 at the iconic San Mamés Stadium.

Ringrose still remembers the atmosphere and the unexpected conditions from that occasion.

“When we heard the final was going to be in Bilbao, there was a perception that the weather would be sunny, but for the final it was lashing rain,” he recalled.

“It's a pretty exceptional stadium. I remember the atmosphere was amazing there.”

Just one of Big Ben's workouts 👀

Would you keep up with him? 😅#InvestecChampionsCup #Rugby pic.twitter.com/7SCP2S2Bvw

— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 20, 2026

UBB: Brilliant but burdensome

Stopping UBB from retaining their crown will provide Leinster with one of their toughest tests yet.

Ringrose was quick to praise the balance in Bordeaux’s game, highlighting not only their flair in attack but also their work ethic across the pitch.

“Some of the tries they scored are exceptional, and they rightly so get applauded for,” he said.

“What I've admired on top of that is how hard they work for each other on defence and how hard they work for each other on attack, which creates the opportunities that we all see.”

With one final hurdle standing between Leinster and a long-awaited fifth star, Ringrose knows the scale of the challenge ahead.

“It definitely sharpens the focus in terms of it doesn’t get bigger challenge-wise coming into this weekend,” he said.

“We'll have to be our best and deal with both those elements of the game.”