'European Cup baby' hopes for glory 25 years on
SuppliedA man who was dubbed the "European Cup baby" after he was born within hours of an unforgettable sporting victory is hoping to watch history repeat itself.
Northampton Saints won the Heineken Cup - now known as the European Champions Cup - on 27 May 2000.
Saints fan Chris Sansome made a quick escape from the celebrations in order to attend the birth of his son Matthew hours after the final whistle.
Twenty five years later, Matthew will be among thousands of fans travelling to Cardiff to watch Saints take on Bordeaux Begles at 14:45 BST.
He was dubbed the "European Cup baby" after his father posted a picture of his son on a Northampton Saints message board.
The rugby union team had defeated Munster 9-8 in the final at Twickenham.
The family has lived in New Zealand for the last 22 years, with Matthew only recently returning to the UK and now living in Cambridge.
Reflecting on the day his son was born, Chris Sansome said: "I used the excuse of parking next to the gate [at Twickenham] because my wife was pregnant and luckily the security guard bought it.
"If I hadn't made it I think there would have been some severe repercussions!"
SuppliedSaturday's match will be Northampton's third appearance in the Champions Cup final - having lost their previous appearance in 2011.
They achieved their date with French club Bordeaux by shocking tournament favourites Leinster 37-34 in Dublin earlier this month.
Matthew said the timing of his birth meant he had no choice but to support the team, although confessed he was "fairly happy to be a fifth generation Saints fan".
He admitted the timing of his return to the UK had also been convenient, having watched Saints win at the English Premiership final last year.
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