Arriving in Bilbao and hitting the streets. This is how hundreds of rugby fans, gathered in the Biscayan capital for the finals, are enjoying their short but intense stay. French and Irish supporters have been present since early morning in various parts of the city, notably the Plaza Nueva.

Among them is François and his group of about twenty people. They purchased their tickets "long before knowing the finalists." This group of 35 is spread across the city; some are resting in the shade of the Plaza Nueva while others are taking the opportunity "to do some sightseeing," all before Friday night's matches and Saturday morning's final.

The healthy rivalry characteristic of the sport is also present, with fans from Ulster, who arrived from Belfast recently, seated at a nearby table. "We are going to enjoy Bilbao, the food, and tonight we will win the final at San Mamés," states a fan named Michael, who particularly highlights the "good beer" available in the bars.

Unlike other sports that have come to the Biscayan capital in recent years, rugby attracts many families. This is evident on Friday morning in the Plaza Nueva area, where a family from East Belfast clearly states their hope: "To win and return with the title."

For them, and many other Ulster fans, the journey to the Biscayan capital was longer than expected. "As Leinster qualified first for the final, we were left without flights and had to travel first to Málaga and then here," they confess.

Since early Friday morning, fans of the finalist teams in the Challenge Cup (Montpellier and Ulster) have left their luggage at the hotels and immediately immersed themselves in the atmosphere. They have visited the stadium where they will play tonight or explored some of the city's most emblematic sites. The rugby festival has already begun in Bilbao and will continue through Saturday.