The 2025 Top 14 semifinals delivered two intense clashes in Lyon as the season’s final four battled for a spot at the Stade de France.
Defending champions Toulouse edged a gritty Bayonne side on Friday night, while Union Bordeaux-Bègles overpowered Toulon the next day with a second-half explosion led by Maxime Lamothe’s hat-trick.
With the results now in, Toulouse and UBB will meet in a much-anticipated final—a rematch of last year’s showdown, this time with even more on the line.
- Toulouse 32 – 25 Bayonne
- Union Bordeaux-Bègles 39 – 24 Toulon
Here are the full recaps of both semifinals:
TOULOUSE PUNCH TICKET TO TOP 14 FINAL AFTER HARD-FOUGHT WIN OVER BAYONNE
Toulouse 32 – 25 Bayonne (HT: 20–15)
Toulouse will return to the Stade de France for a third consecutive Top 14 final after edging out a determined Bayonne side 32–25 in a tense semifinal clash on Friday night. The defending champions were pushed to the brink by the underdogs but ultimately relied on clinical finishing and the flawless boot of Thomas Ramos to book their spot in the title match. Bayonne struck first through a Joris Segonds penalty in the 2nd minute and stayed in the fight with impeccable kicking throughout the first half. But Toulouse responded quickly, as Romain Ntamack dotted down in the 12th minute following a sharp inside pass from Juan Cruz Mallia. Paul Graou then finished a beautiful team move just after the half-hour mark to give Toulouse a cushion, but Segonds kept Bayonne within reach with five first-half penalties. After the break, Ramos extended Toulouse’s lead before a flurry of cards added to the drama. Julien Marchand was sent to the bin for a cynical infringement, but Bayonne couldn’t capitalize as Camille Lopez saw yellow just minutes later. Ramos calmly slotted another pair of penalties, pushing the lead to 32–18 with ten minutes left. Bayonne never stopped believing. In the final play, Lucas Martin crossed to add a late try and bring the final score to 32–25. The Basques exit with pride after pushing the champions all the way, while Toulouse marches on in pursuit of a third straight Bouclier de Brennus.
TOULOUSE
- Tries: Ntamack (12’), Graou (31’)
- Conversions: Ramos (13’, 32’)
- Penalties: Ramos (8’, 22’, 45’, 56’, 70’, 75’)
BAYONNE
- Tries: Martin (80’)
- Conversions: Lopez (80’)
- Penalties: Segonds (2’, 10’, 19’, 29’, 35’, 52’)
BORDEAUX-BÈGLES DOMINATE TOULON TO SET UP FINAL CLASH WITH TOULOUSE
Union Bordeaux-Bègles 39 – 24 Toulon (HT: 15–10)
Union Bordeaux-Bègles booked their ticket to the Top 14 Final with a commanding 39–24 victory over Toulon at the Groupama Stadium, setting up a mouthwatering rematch with Toulouse. Inspired by a second-half blitz and a sensational hat-trick from hooker Maxime Lamothe, UBB outclassed a Toulon side that never found its rhythm. Toulon started brightly, threatening early through Melvyn Jaminet, but it was Matthieu Jalibert who opened the scoring with a penalty. Jaminet quickly responded to level the match, but Bordeaux gradually asserted physical dominance. Nicolas Depoortere broke through for the opening try, and Lamothe added a second as UBB built a 15–3 lead. Toulon responded just before the break with a brilliant try finished by Leicester Fainga’anuku after a linebreak from Paolo Garbisi, cutting the gap to 15–10. Bordeaux wasted no time regaining control after halftime. Lamothe crossed again five minutes into the second period, and with Toulon down a man after a yellow card to Matthias Halagahu, the floodgates opened. Jalibert delivered a pinpoint cross-kick for Damian Penaud to score, and Lamothe sealed his hat-trick just two minutes later. Toulon grabbed late consolation tries through Setariki Tuicuvu and Beka Gigashvili, but the result was beyond doubt. Bordeaux-Bègles now prepare for their shot at history: a first Top 14 title and a potential Champions Cup–Top 14 double.
UNION BORDEAUX-BÈGLES
- Tries: Depoortere (20’), Lamothe (28’, 45’, 56’), Penaud (54’)
- Conversions: Jalibert (29’, 46’, 55’, 57’)
- Penalties: Jalibert (6’, 66’)
TOULON
- Tries: Fainga’anuku (40’), Tuicuvu (63’), Gigashvili (79’)
- Conversions: Jaminet (40’, 64’, 80’)
- Penalties: Jaminet (10’)
2025 TOP 14 FINAL OVERVIEW
Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles are now set for a blockbuster finale on June 28 at the Stade de France.
For Toulouse, it’s a shot at a third straight Bouclier de Brennus and another piece of silverware to cap a dominant era. For UBB, it’s the chance to make history with a first-ever Top 14 title—and complete a rare Champions Cup–Top 14 double.
One final clash remains in what’s been a thrilling 2025 campaign.
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