Five teams that have had an unforgettable 2025

Here, we look at five teams whose 2025's stood out for very different reasons, each leaving a lasting mark on their players, supporters, and the wider game.

This one is less about on-field performance—because, frankly, the Dragons have struggled in the URC—and more about off-field developments. Earlier this year, Wales announced plans to reduce its regional teams from four to three.

Though the decision on which team would be cut has yet to be made, Dragons are viewed as effectively not being at risk at all, despite being the weakest team over the past few years in Wales.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has reassured that it will honor its current funding commitments: Ospreys and Scarlets until June 2027, and Cardiff and Dragons until 2028.

On paper, Dragons are still the weakest team, but these funding assurances provide a safety net. In fact, the extra resources from a cut region could help them become more competitive—a huge relief for a team often overlooked in discussions about Welsh rugby.

After a disappointing Champions Cup campaign, where they finished fifth in their pool, Bath redirected their energy to the Challenge Cup. They secured an away victory against Pau, followed by wins over Gloucester at home and Edinburgh away, ultimately defeating Lyon 37–12 in the final to claim their second Challenge Cup in history.

But Bath’s 2025 story didn’t end there. In June, they overcame Bristol Bears 34–20 at home to reach the Premiership final for the second consecutive year. In a thrilling showdown, Bath edged Leicester Tigers 23–21, claiming their first league title in 29 years. This victory completed a historic treble, having already won the Prem Rugby Cup and the European Challenge Cup that season.

The celebrations were unforgettable: a victory parade drew thousands of supporters, with players paraded through the streets in open-top buses. 2025 will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary years in Bath’s history.

While European success eluded them, Leinster triumphed domestically. They captured the United Rugby Championship title for the first time since 2021 with a commanding win over the Bulls at Croke Park.

Early tries from Jack Conan, Jordie Barrett, and Josh van der Flier put Leinster firmly in control, keeping the South African side scoreless at halftime. A late try from Bulls replacement Akker van der Merwe briefly threatened a comeback, but Fintan Gunne’s try sealed a decisive victory for the hosts.

This win marked Leinster’s ninth URC title since the competition expanded in 2021. In contrast, the Bulls have now lost three finals in their five appearances—a tough run for the South African side.

Northampton Saints’ year was defined by their Champions Cup journey. After a strong pool stage in the 2024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup, they defeated ASM Clermont Auvergne and Castres Olympique to reach a semi-final clash with Leinster in Dublin—a repeat of the previous year’s close encounter.

This time, Saints emerged victorious with a stunning 37–34 win, booking a spot in their third European final on 25 May against a revitalized Union Bordeaux Bègles.

In the final, however, Saints were outshone by Bordeaux’s star-studded side. French scrum-half Maxime Lucu delivered a player-of-the-match performance, guiding Bordeaux to a 28–20 victory and their first top-flight European title. Despite a valiant effort, Saints’ quest for a second European crown continues.

Bordeaux-Bègles capped a remarkable season by winning their maiden Champions Cup. In May 2025, they overcame Stade Toulousain 35–18 in the semi-finals, setting up a final against Northampton Saints in Cardiff.

The final was a tense affair. Saints threatened an upset with Alex Coles scoring two first-half tries to level the score at 20–20. But Bordeaux’s forwards gradually took control, with second row Cyril Caseaux scoring the only second-half try. Despite Northampton’s resilient defence, they couldn’t reclaim the lead.

Victory in their first European final cements Bordeaux’s status as a rising force in French and European rugby, poised to challenge Toulouse domestically, after last year’s heavy Top 14 final defeat. This win sets the stage for a potential new era of dominance in both France and Europe.