Champions Cup final: Leinster beat Racing 92 15-12 to secure fourth title
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
| European Champions Cup final |
|---|
| Leinster (6) 15 |
| Pens: Sexton 3, Nacewa 2 |
| Racing 92 (6) 12 |
| Pens: Iribaren 4 |
Leinster beat Racing 92 in a nail-biting Champions Cup final to be crowned European champions for a record-equalling fourth time.
Three penalties apiece meant the scores were tied at 9-9 after 70 minutes.
Racing briefly re-took the lead through Teddy Iribaren's fourth successful penalty.
But Isa Nacewa took over the kicking duties from Johnny Sexton and landed two penalties in the final six minutes to secure victory in Bilbao.
Racing failed with a final shot to take the match to extra time when replacement Remi Tales hooked a drop-goal wide with the clock in the red.
It was the last act of a final in which neither team ever led by more than three and Leinster went in front for the first time with less than two minutes to go.
Amid the tickertape and sprayed champagne, Leinster matched the record set by French giants Toulouse with their fourth crown.
Their latest triumph lacked the thrills of their five-try demolition of Ulster in 2012 or the drama of their comeback against Northampton in 2011, but meant no less to tearful Leo Cullen, who becomes the first man to win the trophy as a player and coach, and his number two Stuart Lancaster, who has rebuilt his reputation after England's dismal 2015 World Cup campaign.
Racing run low on fly-halves
Backed by billionaire businessman Jacky Lorenzetti, big-spending Racing rarely run low on resources.
However, they found themselves down to their third-choice fly-half after three minutes.
All Blacks legend Dan Carter, initially named on the bench, pulled out of the match with a hamstring injury in the hours before kick-off, while Springbok Pat Lambie was soon forced off with a knee injury.
However Tales, a 24-cap France international, filled in competently at 10 while scrum-half Iribaren, himself playing in place of injured lynchpin Maxime Machenaud, bought his side territory with precise kicking from hand.
Racing's heavy-duty forward pack slowed down Leinster's usual slick recycling, while their rush defence denied the likes of centre Garry Ringrose any space.
When Iribaren edged his side 12-9 ahead with nine minutes to go, it appeared that the combination would produce a surprise win.
But Racing's discipline and concentration wavered as fatigue told and Nacewa, playing his final European match for Leinster before retirement, punished them from the tee.
Lancaster's redemption
Both before and after the match, Leinster's players were quick to praise the work ex-England boss Lancaster has done behind the scenes since he was appointed in September 2016.
Focusing on the technical side of Leinster's play, his arrival has coincided with a vast improvement in the team's European campaigns.
After finishing bottom of their pool in 2015-16, Leinster went out in the semi-finals of last year's competition, and are now two matches away from adding the Pro14 title to this triumph at Athletic Bilbao's San Mames Stadium.
Lancaster has vowed to continue at the RDS after speculation linked him with the vacant director of rugby role at Harlequins.
What they said
Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster speaking to BBC Sport: "It was tough on me and my family and my friends and all the people who supported me at the time [after his sacking by England]. But this is for them really, all the people who have stuck with me, and it's been nice to give them an opportunity to see me smile."
Leinster fly-half Johnny Sexton speaking to BT Sport: "We did it the hard way. We couldn't get going in the game. Every time we got into their 22 the ball was killed.
"It was very greasy and they slowed it down at the ruck, but I can't believe we are champions again. I'm so happy for the young lads and the coaches. Stuart Lancaster has been brilliant since he has come in."
Former England fly-half Paul Grayson on BBC Radio 5 live: "Champions find a way to win. Leinster weren't at their best today, against a side that had nothing to lose, but in those crucial moments they found something more. No surprise Johnny Sexton was at the heart of it."
Team line-ups
Leinster: R Kearney; Larmour, G Ringrose, Henshaw, Nacewa; Sexton, L McGrath; Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Toner, Ryan, Fardy, Leavy, J Murphy.
Replacements: Gibson-Park for L. McGrath (62), J McGrath for Healy (55), Tracy for Cronin (62), Porter for Furlong (66), Conan for J Murphy (62).
Not Used: Ruddock, Carbery, O'Loughlin.
Racing 92: Dupichot; Thomas, Vakatawa, Chavancy, Andreu; Lambie, Iribaren; Ben Arous, Chat, Gomes Sa, Ryan, Nakarawa, Lauret, Le Roux, Nyanga.
Replacements: Tales for Lambie (3), Rokocoko for Dupichot (29 to 37), Kakovin for Ben Arous (55), Avei for Chat (45), Johnston for Gomes Sa (55), Chouzenoux for Le Roux (69).
Not Used: Palu, Gibert.
Comments
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Nothing pretty about today and Leinster got the job done. That’s what matters. Period
One Premiership team made the quarters. We have to ask some serious questions. Celtic teams playing superior rugby.
Aviva premiership and Top 14 want a rule change no?
You don't like Leinster Bronagh but need to turn up on every post with the same spiteful mud flinging.
Leinster fans barely sing at all! A little COYBIB or Molly Malone and that's it.
(For years) every match is televised, youtube is full of videos, typical of rugby fans all having great fun together. If what you say is true Bronagh where are these songs/videos?
.. are you just repeating something YOU heard?
Maybe what Eddie Jones said a couple of years back about Ireland? they kick 70% of possession? Shame it wasn't true. (Damn you facts!!)
Here are some more facts.. the most carries, most meters gained, most defenders beaten, the most passes and the most tries in the Cup? All Leinster
You sure you know anything about rugby?
COYBIB
Well deserved victory to the men from Leinster.
Are you for real, it was tight, it was tense and gripping, a good final, it was bucketing down with rain for 80 min, and therefore there could have been a lot more errors, but the game was good. Just to say I was a neutral and found it kept me riveted until the last. As for the others moaning about Barnes he was head and shoulders above Garces last night
I agree. As an Englishman who went to a couple of the England games at Croke Park where the media made a big deal up that there was going to be sectarian hatred and incidents at the game. In the event , there was nothing but friendliness and good humour. Irish rugby is blessed by some of the fairest minded sports fans in the world.
You truly are a sad individual. Every rugby forum that involves the Irish National team or a Provincial team you spit the same old bile and venom with your sectarian hatred. The conduct of all Irish fans is excellent and there are no rebel songs.
If you can't add some positive just go elsewhere and let us genuine rugby fans enjoy this wonderful victory by Leinster.
There is no doubt Hansen and Co will be keeping a sharp eye on Schmidts Warriors over the next few months, they will be genuine challengers.
I've never seen you name one sectarian song, and link to a video of it being sung.
You're a great troll though, always get a few responses. You're welcome.
For those that don’t know, the Irish name bronagh comes from the word bronach, which means sad or miserable. How apt.
You are obviously an Ass-Football follower. Challenged by facts?
Your ignorance of demographics is only matched by your lack of knowledge about Rugby Union. Try doing a modicum of research before pontificating on matters beyond your comprehension.
Congratulations to Leinster, the top rugby team in Europe and possibly in the world. Farewell to Isa, a gentleman