Furbank starts for Northampton in Champions Cup final

Investec Champions Cup final: Northampton Saints v Bordeaux-Begles

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday 24 May Kick-off 14: 45 BST

England’s George Furbank returns to the Northampton team for only his second appearance since December as he starts at full-back in Saturday’s Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Begles.

Curtis Langdon is also in the starting XV after concerns that an injury picked up in last weekend’s win over Saracens may rule the hooker out.

Ollie Sleightholme is another to make a comeback on the biggest stage, with the wing named on the bench and set to make his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury on England duty in March.

Alex Coles is fit to take up a role as blindside flanker, while Henry Pollock plays at number eight with Ulster-bound South African Juarno Augustus ruled out.

Furbank, who was appointed captain after Lewis Ludlam’s departure at the end of last season, has missed much of the campaign after breaking his arm in the away win over the Bulls at the end of last year.

Having had metal plates inserted in his arm, the 28-year-old made an initial return in Saints ‘ quarter-final victory over Castres in April, but suffered a setback in that match and it was feared his season might be over.

Bordeaux-Begles, contesting their first Champions Cup final, name an unchanged starting XV from the side that beat Toulouse in the last four.

Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert, both France internationals, are the half-back partnership, while Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey are part of a dangerous backline.

Replacements: Wright, Haffar, Millar Mills, Prowse, Scott-Young, James, Litchfield, Sleightholme

Bordeaux-Begles: Buros, Penaud, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, Lucu, Poirot, Lamothe, Falatea, Coleman, Cazeaux, Diaby, Petti, Samu

Replacements: Sa, Boniface, Tameifune, Bochaton, Vergnes-Taillefer, Gazzotti, Retiere, Janse van Rensburg

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)

Andrew Brace (Ire) and Andrea Piardi (Ita) serve as assistant referees.