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Champions Cup semi-finals: Best head-to-head matchups

May 2, 2025
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Northampton player ratings vs Bordeaux

The Champions Cup semi-finals take place this weekend, and the squad lists look more like Test squads than club ones. 

Leinster hosts Northampton Saints in the first game, while Toulouse travels to Bordeaux Begles for the other. 

All four teams have done incredibly well to get to this point, going on varying journeys with a whole host of teams played. 

Now, it is the best of the best, and this weekend is sure to bring the drama. 

Here, Charlie Elliott goes through some of the best matchups from the two games. 

Sam Prendergast v Fin Smith 

This one goes without saying. Two young and extremely talented fly-halves who will be hoping to be on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer. 

Both are different players, with Prendergast being more of a livewire that has been questioned for his lack of defensive capability, while Smith is a much more consistent player who seems to not be fazed by anything that is thrown at him. 

Alongside their half-back partners, Jamison Gibson-Park and Alex Mitchell, it is effectively a Test quality match. 

With Andy Farrell only expected to take three number tens on the tour, there may only be enough space for one of these talents, and whoever comes out on top in this huge game will do their chances a world of good. 

James Lowe v Tommy Freeman 

Two outstanding wingers in their own right, this could again be a battle that has a huge say on Lions selection. 

Freeman has been outstanding all season despite Saints’ struggles, coming up with some magnificent moments and playing to his strengths. 

The England international is more of an ariel threat and a power play, which is similar to Lowe in that both of their running is extremely explosive. 

Kiwi-born Ireland international Lowe is more of an all-round player, often being used for his playmaking ability as much as his skills on the wing. 

Similar heights and both pretty bulky , both can send  huge statement to Andy Farrell with a big performance. 

Tadhg Furlong v Emmanuel Iyogun 

Both Furlong and Iyogun are very well-rounded players considering they are props, so this will not only be a battle of scrummaging but also will be about who can impact around the pitch. 

They are similar players in many ways, powerful and strong set-piece wise, but also always looking for touches on the ball to make some powerful runs forward. 

Iyogun has a few inches advantage height wise, but sometimes that is not always the best attribute for a prop to have. 

With Furlong being 32 years old and Iyogun only 24, the Ireland international trumps him in terms of experience. 

The Saints prop has a lot of potential, and this game may see him realise that. 

Guido Petti v Jack Willis 

Bordeaux’s game against Toulouse will see some of the best players in the world face off against each other and picking just a few matchups was incredibly hard. 

Petti v Willis on the flanks could be the key battle in which this game is won, forwards-wise at least. 

Willis is captain of Toulouse and has been unbelievable all season, he makes every aspect of rugby look easy and glides through games week in, week out. 

Petti can play at lock as well as flanker and seems like the perfect player for the Bordeaux forwards, he just keeps things ticking and gets the ball out to the backs brilliantly. 

With the Argentina international joining Harlequins next season, the motivation of going out with a bang in a Bordeaux shirt may see him go up another notch. 

Louis Bielle-Biarrey v Ange Capuozzo 

Pure pace. Bielle-Biarrey and Capuozzo are both wonderful players to watch by virtue of being a couple of the quickest and most agile players in the sport. 

Capuozzo usually finds himself in a 15 shirt, but he will play on the wing against Bordeaux, a position that he is more than comfortable in. 

Meanwhile, Bielle-Biarrey is an out and out winger, who knows where the try-line is and how to score. 

LBB and fellow winger Damian Penaud both start for France, and if the hosts can get the ball out wide to them as much as possible, it could be a long game for Capuozzo and co. 

The Italy international is capable of making something out of nothing, and once he breaks through, there is no chance of catching up. 

But if anyone can, it is Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

READ MORE: Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals: Fixtures, Where to Watch and Previews



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Tags: ArgentinaAustraliaChampionsChampions CupcupEnglandFeaturedFranceHarlequinsHeadtoHeadIrelandItalyLeinstermatchupsNorthampton SaintsSemifinalsToulouse
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