Can Leinster Win the Champions Cup? – Latest Odds
For fans of European Rugby, the Champions Cup tournament, also known as the Investec Champions Cup, is always one guaranteed to deliver plenty of thrills and excitement, coupled with twists, turns, and of course, plenty of nerves as your favourite team progresses.
Organised via European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), this is the pinnacle of club competition rugby. It’s where the best-of-the-best battle it out for one of rugby’s most prestigious trophies. While this season’s tournament has provided plenty of excitement, all that remains is one match to be contested between Bordeax, and former champions, Leinster.
Taking place in the gorgeous Spanish city of Bilbao on Saturday the 22nd of May, this is a cup final you won’t want to miss. Currently, Bordeaux are favourites with the Irish bookies, with William Hill providing odds of 3/10, and Coral offering odds of 1/3. If there’s one thing years of sporting action has taught us however, it’s that sporting fairy tales can come true, and occasionally, just occasionally, the underdog bites back.
But can Leinster really overcome the odds and make up for the misery of last year’s semi-final by winning the Champions Cup? It’s certainly possible.
So Close, But Yet, So Far
If there’s one word you can use to sum up Leinster’s efforts to finally win the Champions Cup in recent years, that one word is ‘almost’.
In 2022, Leinster, one of the most decorated clubs in the tournament, squared off against La Rochelle in the final, with Rochelle winning 24 – 21. A year later, the two met in the final once more, and once more it was Rochelle winning the gold, this time by a single point, in a 27 – 26 thriller.
In 2024, Leinster again made the final, this time facing Toulouse, another big hitter in the contest’s history. The final was contested at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and ultimately saw Toulouse lifting the gold, having defeated Leinster 31 – 22 following extra time.
Last year in 2025, Leinster looked set to make up for the previous year’s disappointing result, though this time they fell at the penultimate hurdle after being dealt a death blow by Northampton in the semi-finals. Ironically, it was this year’s favourites Bordeaux Bègles who lifted the trophy last year.
This year, though, after a nervy performance against Toulon, Leinster once again find themselves in the final.
A Nervy Performance
Back on Saturday May 2nd, Leinster sealed their place in the 2026 Champions Cup final by defeating Toulon 29 – 25 in Dublin.
Despite showing plenty of heart and passion, it was a nervy performance by the four-time winners of the trophy. Leinster looked in control for much of the game, though in the final quarter, it all looked set to implode. In the 75th minute, Gael Drean nailed Toulon’s third try and brought the score to 29 – 25. Surely Leinster couldn’t bow out in another semi-final?
Well, thankfully for them, no. They managed to display plenty of that fighting Irish spirit and hold on, just, and secure a spot in the final. It was a nervy display, but ultimately for Leinster, it was job done.
Can Leinster Win the Champions Cup?
With the Dublin club coming up short in recent years, 2026 could finally be the year where they can exorcise past demons and secure a fifth Champions Cup trophy. All they need to do is defeat reigning champions Bordeaux.
While Bordeaux may be the favourites, as we know in rugby, anything can happen. Leinster are no slouches in this competition. They’re in the final because they deserve to be. One more strong performance, and they could very well be lifting the trophy.
If you’re looking to back the Dubliners, Coral have Leinster at 9/4, whereas William Hill are offering odds of 12/5. That’s got to be worth a punt, surely?