The Lionnes crushed Clermont 31-12 in the final to cap a playoff run that erased their regular-season stumble and cemented their dynasty. Their relentless drive through the playoffs sends a message to rivals.
The Lionnes de Bordeaux delivered a statement in the Elite 1 Féminine final on Sunday, dismantling Clermont 19-12 to claim their fourth straight Brennus Trophy and cap an improbable playoff surge that began with a third-place regular-season finish. The 19-point margin underscored the gulf between Bordeaux and the rest of the field, erasing any doubt about their status as the league’s undisputed heavyweight. The title game at Stade Chaban-Delmas was a clinic in controlled aggression.
Bordeaux opened the scoring in the 12th minute through flanker Manon André, who powered over from close range after a driving maul. Clermont’s response came via a penalty try in the 28th minute, but the Lionnes struck back before halftime with tries from hooker Élodie Poublan and fullback Léa Murie, taking a 17-7 lead into the break. The second half was a procession: winger Chloé Pellegrino added two more tries (49’, 67’) and fly-half Lou Dubois slotted two penalties to seal the win.
The path to the final was anything but smooth. Bordeaux finished third in the regular season with a 12-4 record, two points behind second-place Montpellier and six behind runaway leaders Stade Toulousain. Their semifinal clash with Toulouse was billed as a potential upset, but the Lionnes turned the tables with a 24-18 victory that sent shockwaves through the league.
Clermont, meanwhile, navigated a tighter semifinal against Blagnac with a 22-15 win to set up the all-Gallic final. Clermont captain Camille Grassineau admitted her side was outmuscled. “Bordeaux were simply too strong in the collisions and too clinical in attack,” she said post-match.
” French rugby federation president Florian Grill hailed the Lionnes as a “benchmark for the women’s game,” noting their ability to peak when it mattered most. What’s next: With four straight titles and a squad still in its prime, Bordeaux’s focus shifts to the European Challenge Cup, where they’ll aim to add continental silverware to their cabinet. The next Elite 1 season is already on the horizon, but for now, the Lionnes are savoring their latest piece of history.
The Lionnes’ dominance isn’t just about titles—it’s about the margins they impose. 5 points, a figure that dwarfs the league’s other semifinalists. That gap reflects a squad built for knockout rugby: depth in key positions, tactical flexibility, and a culture of relentless conditioning.
Even their regular-season stumble—three losses to Toulouse and Montpellier—served as a tactical reset, forcing coach Thomas Darracq to refine their game plan around set-piece dominance and error-free execution in high-pressure moments. This dynasty also reshapes the Elite 1 landscape. For years, the league’s narrative revolved around Toulouse’s near-misses and Clermont’s flashes of brilliance.
Bordeaux’s fourpeat forces a recalibration: they’re no longer the challengers. Their ability to turn a third-place regular finish into a title run demonstrates that in modern women’s rugby, playoff pedigree matters more than regular-season consistency. Rivals now face a stark choice: adapt to Bordeaux’s physicality or accept a permanent second-tier status in the French game.
The timing of Bordeaux’s rise coincides with broader shifts in French women’s rugby. The Elite 1 Féminine has expanded from 10 to 12 teams this season, adding depth to the competition but also increasing the physical demands on squads. Bordeaux’s ability to manage that transition while maintaining their edge speaks to their professionalism.
Their squad now features six players who have represented France, a testament to their role as a talent pipeline for the national team. As the league matures, Bordeaux’s model—built on structured development, tactical innovation, and a refusal to accept mediocrity—offers a blueprint for other clubs aiming to close the gap on the new standard-setters. For Clermont, the loss is the latest in a string of near-misses that have defined their recent campaigns.
Despite finishing second in the regular season, they’ve now fallen short in back-to-back finals, raising questions about their ability to convert regular-season form into postseason success. The gap between them and Bordeaux isn’t just tactical—it’s cultural. Where Bordeaux treat every game as a step toward a championship, Clermont’s approach has often been reactive, leaving them vulnerable to teams that thrive under pressure. Read at NewsData.io
Why this matters
The Lionnes’ fourth straight title isn’t just a record—it’s proof that regular-season stumbles can be erased by playoff ruthlessness. In a league where parity is rising, Bordeaux’s ability to peak in May underscores their dominance and sets a new standard for French women’s rugby. Their relentless drive through the playoffs, despite a third-place regular finish, sends a message to rivals: the Brennus Trophy is Bordeaux’s to lose until someone figures out how to stop them. This isn’t just a dynasty; it’s a blueprint for sustained excellence in elite women’s sport.
Frequently asked
How did Bordeaux finish third in the regular season but still win the title?
The Lionnes’ third-place finish in the Elite 1 Féminine regular season (12-4 record) left them two points behind Montpellier and six behind Toulouse. However, their playoff run—including a semifinal upset of Toulouse—showcased their ability to elevate their performance when it mattered most, culminating in a dominant 31-12 win over Clermont in the final.
Who scored the most points for Bordeaux in the final?
Fly-half Lou Dubois contributed 7 points via two penalties, while winger Chloé Pellegrino scored two tries (10 points) to lead Bordeaux’s scoring. Hooker Élodie Poublan and fullback Léa Murie each added a try, and flanker Manon André opened the scoring with a try in the 12th minute.
What’s next for the Lionnes after this title?
Bordeaux’s Lionnes will shift focus to the European Challenge Cup, aiming to add continental silverware to their cabinet. The next Elite 1 Féminine season is already on the horizon, with the squad still in its prime and chasing a historic fifth straight title.
How did Clermont fare in their semifinal before the final?
Clermont defeated Blagnac 22-15 in their semifinal to advance to the final. Their path was tighter than Bordeaux’s, requiring a hard-fought victory to set up the all-Gallic showdown.
Who is the captain of Clermont’s women’s team?
Camille Grassineau captained Clermont in the final, where she conceded her side was outmuscled by Bordeaux’s superior physicality and clinical finishing.
What tactical adjustments did Bordeaux make after their regular-season losses?
After dropping three games to Toulouse and Montpellier, Bordeaux’s coaching staff emphasized set-piece dominance and error-free execution in high-pressure moments. Coach Thomas Darracq restructured their game plan to prioritize controlled aggression, reducing turnovers and maximizing second-phase opportunities—a shift that paid dividends in the playoffs.
