La Rochelle defend Champions Cup crown in thrilling win over Leinster
Targeting a record-equalling fifth European title, the Irish province ran in three tries contained in the opening 12 minutes to depart the holders reeling in one of many nice halves of European rugby.
Dan Sheehan crossed twice and Jimmy O’Brien additionally touched down in a spellbinding opening quarter, however when the second half arrived Leinster had clearly punched themselves out.
The second wind arrived too late, coming in response to Georges Henri Colombe’s match-winning 72nd-minute attempt, and it ended when Michael Ala’alatoa was despatched off for a harmful filter.
The rematch of final 12 months’s showpiece produced the quickest ever attempt scored in a remaining when Sheehan went charging over after 40 seconds and O’Brien was the subsequent to attain.
Both scores bore the hallmarks of meticulous preparation, with Sheehan taking advantage of the homework executed on La Rochelle’s line-out and O’Brien diving over on the finish of well-drilled play.
Leinster’s ruck pace was devastating and there have been different wins throughout the sphere, with James Lowe executing a 50-22 and a turnover on the bottom irritating the Top 14’s second-placed facet.
The issues mounted as Tawera Kerr Barlow was proven a yellow card for offside, and shortly after a defensive lapse allowed an unmarked Sheehan over for his second attempt.
Trailing 17-0, La Rochelle hit again when Jonathan Danty used his energy to bump off Garry Ringrose and contact down after strain mounted at a five-metre scrum.
Frenzied defence enabled Leinster to safe a penalty that Ross Byrne despatched between the uprights – his second in seven minutes – however the heroics got here at the price of shedding captain James Ryan to a failed HIA.
Georges-Henri Colombe scored a dramatic late attempt within the showpiece occasion
/ REUTERSLa Rochelle had been now a distinct proposition as they began carrying with menace and offloading to help runners, and having stretched the blue wall to breaking level shortly earlier than the interval, they struck to ship Ulupano Seuteni over.
Seuteni opened the second-half with an electrical break, and when Antoine Hastoy kicked a penalty Leinster’s lead was down to 6 factors.
The fireworks that had gone earlier than had been changed by an trade of penalties and the sight of La Rochelle tenting within the Irish province’s 22, grinding away looking for the subsequent rating.
Leinster’s defensive resolve was admirable however they had been operating on fumes, their assault now not functioning, and at instances they rode their luck with referee Jaco Peyper.
The yellow tide lastly prevailed within the 72nd minute by means of onerous yards from Colombe and the rating was compounded by a yellow card for Ronan Kelleher.
Leinster poured ahead within the closing phases however their hopes ended when Ala’alatoa obtained his marching orders, forcing them to mourn a 3rd successive loss in finals.