![Ciaran Frawley of Leinster Rugby looks dejected as players of Toulouse celebrate after the French side won in extra time.](https://media.guim.co.uk/be8db550e945c19abb22ba39798d1df5e666fcc7/0_64_3991_2395/1000.jpg)
Thank you for joining me for this incredible final. It went down to the wire with the score 15-15 at full time of normal time. Tries were exchanged and then the boot of Thomas Ramos kept the scoreboard ticking to deliver Toulouse’s sixth Champions Cup. Have a read of Rob Kitson’s report from Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium, it takes in the atmosphere and occasion perfectly. The rugby season is not over and the English Premiership semi-finals next weekend and we will have live coverage of those. Until then enjoy your bank holiday and week.
Only three Champions Cup finals have gone to extra time. Toulouse have won all of them. An outstanding feat.
Jerome Kaino, Toulouse’s skills coach, told TNT Sports he was impressed by Dupont but names Cros and Roumat as those who made the difference for them today.
"Gutted for Leinster but they lacked a cutting edge,” Paul Butler emails. “Losing four finals in six years and three in a row is an issue. They had so many opportunities but came away from the 22 with very little. And if Frawley had got that drop goal in normal time, fine margins.
“Toulouse in defence were incredible and took their chances. Back to the drawing board, Leinster have a powerful pack but are now lacking attacking quality. Toulouse worthy winners, Dupont, Kinghorn were immense.”
Émile Ntamack, who won Toulouse’s first Champions Cup, looks on as his son Romain celebrates winning the club’s sixth. A really touching moment.
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There is a sea of red waiting for Antoine Dupont to raise the trophy. The captain admires it, wiggles it and looks at his players before lifting it aloft to cheers and red fireworks. The support staff and injured players then join them for more lifts.
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Toulouse are lining up for their medals and trophy lift, Ramos has his hands on his head looking as though he can’t quite believe it.
Leinster players are picking up their runner-up medals and none of them are wearing them. They are feeling this hurt.
The officiating team are picking up their medals here, I think they had an incredible afternoon – particularly with awarding Van der Flier’s try.
The moment Toulouse won the game:
🏆 @StadeToulousain have won the 2024 Champions Cup in London!
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 25, 2024
👏👏👏#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/fBalz1xXXP
Antoine Dupont told TNT Sports: “It’s awesome to be able to play with this team. The last two years have been tough for us. We are really proud for the club and team.
“I think I have a lot of luck to play with these players every day. I just want to be a part of this team. The atmosphere was incredible and we really felt the support from the fans who are here.
Leinster look shell shocked. Their faces just utterly devastated. They are able to demolish any side with a raft of internationals in their ranks but the Champions Cup final is becoming a curse for them.
Dupont won Player of the Match which is deserved, incredible turnovers and 50:22 kicks. But another player who needs a shout is Toulouse’s Roumat. I don’t think he put a foot wrong. Kinghorn is also shown dancing, he had more of an impact when he was at full-back – showed why he was given the nod over Ramos today.
Leinster edged close to the try line there but Lowe loses possession, it comes to Henshaw but Toulouse chuck him into touch. The tackle ends Leinster’s bid for a fifth title and this final becomes their third consecutive final they have lost. La Rochelle beat them in 2022 and 2023 and this time another French club ends their dream.
Extra time full time: Toulouse 22-31 Toulouse
Toulouse have won the Champions Cup for a sixth time. An absolutely incredible performance, particularly in defence.
![Ciaran Frawley of Leinster Rugby looks dejected as players of Toulouse celebrate after the French side won in extra time.](https://media.guim.co.uk/be8db550e945c19abb22ba39798d1df5e666fcc7/0_64_3991_2395/1000.jpg)
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22 min ET: Leinster need to score a try and convert it and either score a penalty or a try to win this now. Still possible.
20 min ET: Toulouse only just win the ball from their scrum and clear for some territory, Leinster need to score and fast to keep their hopes alive.
18 min ET: Leinster win a scrum penalty but they attack first, they run through the phases but they knock on. Leinster so uncharacteristic in their errors this afternoon.
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17 min ET: There is some confusion here as Marchand needs to come off but Toulouse have run out of replacements. But as it is an injury Mauvaka is allowed back.
17 min ET: Dupont has been named Player of the Match, Austin Healy says he may be the best person he has every seen play. A huge accolade.
PENALTY! Leinster 22-31 Toulouse (Ramos, 16 ET)
It is over and there is a mountain for Leinster to climb.
15 min ET: Ramos points to the sticks again after the breakdown penalty. This could decide it.
15 min ET: Willis has some lovely work at consecutive breakdowns, he latches onto a ball with Healy in the ruck and he turns it over. Marchand is down with injury and so there is a break in play.
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PENALTY! Leinster 22-28 Toulouse (Ramos, 14 ET)
A slim kick in, huge.
13 min ET: Doris gives away a breakdown penalty, Toulouse points to the sticks.
12 min ET: Don’t be confused by the time I have written, we haven’t gone back in time just into the second half of extra time. With a try a piece in this final it will be decided on penalty kicks if Leinster manage to level the game.
Back underway: Leinster 22-25 Toulouse
So who will win this? 10 minutes to decide it.
This is a breathless and ruthless final, one fitting for the trophy either team will lift. Truly incredible rugby unfolding in front of us. The officiating also impressive this afternoon.
Extra time half-time: Leinster 22-25 Toulouse
Wow, wow, wow. An incredible final.
CONVERTED TRY! Leinster 22-25 Toulouse (Van der Flier 15 ET)
It’s awarded! Frawley converts.
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14 min ET: The officials are saying the ball is grounded but they don’t know if it was short and then held up or if it was dotted down. The officials job a difficult one here.
15 min ET: Carley has said no try decision on the pitch so the grounding has to be clear and obvious to overturn the decision.
15 min ET: They are going to check this but Van der Flier thinks he has scored.
14 min ET: Porter has had to come on for Healy after that head contact. Leinster set up a driving maul but they quickly go to the phases, it comes to Lowe but he is tackled. This is mental, the atmosphere crackling.
12 min ET: Leinster win a penalty and they kick to the corner, a huge call. Lowe is back on.
11 min ET: We saw Toulouse capitalise on the man advantage, when Lowe comes back on in a few seconds will Leinster be able to add some points? This final is absolutely ludicrous.
RED CARD! Leinster 15-25 Toulouse (Arnold, 10 ET)
There was a conversation about mitigation but it’s ruled out and Toulouse go down to 14.
10 min ET: Toulouse celebrate wildly as Dupont win a breakdown penalty, however the TMO has spotted head contact on Healy. There could be another card here but for Toulouse this time.
10 min ET: Healy comes on for Porter who has put in an unbelievable shift. Leinster look alive and it is kicked crossfield to Henshaw, he almost gets to it but it bounces out. Unlucky.
PENALTY! Leinster 15-25 Toulouse (Ramos, 8 ET)
Coaches motion to Ramos to run down the clock and he does before he kicks.
8 min ET: The line-out is good and Toulouse set up a driving maul, they keep marching and they win a breakdown penalty. It is right in front of the posts, surely they will kick to the posts? Yes they do. Kick to come.
7 min ET: Dupont puts in another 50:22 kick in and Toulouse have another scoreable opportunity now.
7 min ET: Frawley remains on the field, I am slightly surprised by the call as he looked like he took a big head knock.
5 min ET: Lebel’s pace was just too much for Leinster to recover, they make the most of their one-man advantage.
CONVERTED TRY! Leinster 15- 22 Toulouse (Lebel, 3 ET)
Lebel with a blistering run. Frawley put in a great tackle but remained down injured, play continued and Toulouse put the pace in. Ramos converts.
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3 min ET: Ramos misses the resulting penalty kick, wow.
YELLOW CARD: Leinster 15-15 Toulouse (Lowe, 2 ET)
Lowe is off for 10 minutes.
2 min ET: Lowe could be in trouble here, did he just deliberately knock on?
Extra time kick-off! Leinster 15-15 Toulouse
Here we go then, a fitting end to this incredible final.
Apologies too, I thought Ramos had slotted into the centre roll but he didn’t. He went to full-back with Kinghorn in the centres now. Ramos has not been as effective under the high ball.
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Toulouse had Brennan down injured and they were being swarmed but Leinster, so Ntamack opted to kick out for extra time. There will be 20 minutes extra time, if they can’t be separated by then it will be decided on try count.
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Full time: Leinster 15-15 Toulouse
We head to extra time.
80 min: Oh my god. I had my hands on my mouth. Leinster pull back, they pass to Frawley and he goes for the drop goal but he narrowly misses. That was inches away.
80 min: I feel so nervous and I don’t have a horse in this race, I hope Leinster and Toulouse fans haven’t nibbled all of their nails off. Leinster on the march to the try line now.
PENALTY! Leinster 15-15 Toulouse (Frawley, 78)
It’s level!
78 min: The scrum resets and Leinster win a penalty on the next set piece. Their call here will be interesting, go for the corner and potentially a try-winning effort or a penalty to level the game? Leinster go for the posts.
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76 min: Frawley is forced to go to the boot with Toulouse’s defence strong, it comes to Ntamack who spills and Leinster have a scrum a few metres away from the try line. Nervous moment for both teams now, what a final.
76 min: Toulouse’s defensive efforts have to be applauded no matter which way this final goes, they have been absolutely heroic. Leinster setting up another attack here, their chances are running out but they are looking deadly.
74 min: Frawley has an amazing line to puncture the defensive line, the Irish team streaming forward. The crowd chant ‘Leinster’ but, of course, it is Dupont who comes up with a turn over. He shouts and clenches his fist after the penalty is given. He knows a try there could have been the decider.
73 min: Will it be the boot of Ramos to decide this? It was an incredible kick if it is. But Leinster will still want a say in these last 10 minutes. It was hard to call before the match, it’s even harder now.
PENALTY! Leinster 12-15 Toulouse (Ramos, 71)
First kick for him and it is in.
71 min: Kelleher, Ala’alatoa and Frawley are on for Leinster now. Toulouse have a line-out, they win it and they win a penalty as Leinster pull down the maul illegally. Will Kinghorn fancy this long range kick? Will Ramos? It is Ramos who points to the sticks.
69 min: Larmour, that is an absolute monster of a tackle. It means Lebel’s foot is in touch before he scores. Wow. Massive moment.
69 min: Leinster get to their 22 but Toulouse set up a great defensive ruck and Willis marches through to nab it. Toulouse launch a counter attack and it looks like Lebel has scored! Or has Larmour tackled him into touch? My oh my.
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68 min: Leinster are edging closer and closer here, they feel like the ones more likely to score a try.
PENALTY! Leinster 12-12 Toulouse (Byrne, 66)
It’s a close kick and he slots it.
65 min: A driving maul doesn’t go very far and so they run it through the phases. They win a penalty but take a punt for a try first, Larmour screams for it but Toulouse see him and take him out. Toulouse win a pen this time but we come back to the old pen. Byrne, hobbling, points to the sticks.
63 min: Byrne is hobbling a bit but he is staying on, he is kicking to the corner.
63 min: Byrne took a battering in that latest set, he is receiving treatment here so there is a break in play. Unsure what call they will take for the penalty with Byrne’s injury.
63 min: Leinster win a scrum penalty and the Irish side try and launch an attack but Lowe spills so we go back to the pen.
61 min: I think Ramos has slotted into the centre. Leinster make a change with Conan on for Baird. Toulouse the next to attack, will we see a try at all in this final? Not yet as Ntamack kicks away and then Toulouse have a forward pass – Toulouse fans not happy as they believe Lowe picked up a forward pass before that but it isn’t noticed by the officials.
60 min: Costes is off for Ramos, interesting to see where he slots in with Kinghorn at full-back.
PENALTY! Leinster 9-12 Toulouse (Kinghorn, 58)
Kinghorn’s boot is good once more.
58 min: Costes wins a breakdown penalty and they have pointed to the sticks.
57 min: Toulouse on the attack but the Leinster defence is keeping them in the same line and at times pushing them backwards. It forces Ntamack to kick away and the kicks are exchanged again. The French side eventually decide to run it.
55 min: There are some boos in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a replay shows a seatbelt tackle on Van der Flier in the play where Toulouse won their most recent penalty but nothing has been given. Some newbies in the Toulouse front row before.
55 min: The fact I haven’t typed the name Dupont very much in this half shows how much possession Leinster have had here. They are once again with the ball now, McCarthy with some sumptuous passing in the build-up. Can they score here? No they can’t. Chocobares intercepts, another incredible defensive set.
53 min: A driving maul from a good line-out sees the forwards marching towards the line, Ryan shouting at his teammates to keep going. Sheehan splinters away but Willis get in the breakdown and he wins a penalty, a massive defensive effort.
52 min: Byrne slices it into the stands from the penalty, not the distance he would have wanted on that. Leinster’s resulting line-out is good and they are soon speeding into action. Doris has a lovely inside pass to find some space, at the breakdown Willis thinks he has won a penalty but it goes against him and Leinster kick to corner. The Irish side has all the momentum here.
50 min: A number of players get some treatment, hence the delay, but all are okay to continue. Leinster win a scrum penalty and they take the advantage to play on, Keenan chips over the top and Dupont collects so we come back to the earlier penalty.
48 min: Yet another knock on from Toulouse, they are really wracking up the penalties here. A scrum to come.
PENALTY! Leinster 9-9 Toulouse (Byrne, 47)
The shot clock ticks down but it is through.
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47 min: Leinster win a penalty at the breakdown, will they kick to posts to try and level the game or head to the corner? They will kick to the posts. Byrne lining it up.
46 min: Leinster need to win their line-out to launch an attack but Toulouse nick it, an uncharacteristic poor throw from Sheehan. Leinster make another change with Connor off for Van der Flier.
45 min: Baird wins a breakdown penalty after Kinghorn collects a high ball. Leinster starting to put their stamp on this game, they kick to the corner to try and find the first try of this final.
44 min: Leinster go through the phases but Toulouse turn over, it is the French team’s physicality that is giving them the edge so far. Toulouse then get a line-out, it’s clean and he put in a crossfield kick but Gibson-Park gets it ahead of Flament to clear.
42 min: It is Jenkins who bows out, he was the player down with injury and he couldn’t continue. Leinster start this half well with sustained possession.
Back underway! Leinster 6-9 Toulouse
This final is finely balanced, who will come out on top? 40 minutes and maybe some extras to come. James Ryan is on for Leinster.
Here is Sheehan’s blinding run:
Dan Sheehan 🏃♂️💨
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 25, 2024
What a run from the hooker 👏#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/nTY3ZOpo5A
In the last three finals, the team winning at half-time went on to win it. Leinster will want to be the first in a while to turn tide. Toulouse electric in defence so far though and Leinster haven’t been able to form their slick attack.
This is the moment Leinster thought they had scored in the first half:
Leinster thought they had scored just before the break 😳#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/wGoVNmCHN9
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 25, 2024
Toulouse came close early doors to scoring but there hasn’t been a try yet in this final. Blair Kinghorn’s boot has Toulouse marginally ahead in a closely fought battle. A great final this is shaping out to be.
Half-time: Leinster 6-9 Toulouse
The boots the difference so far.
PENALTY! Leinster 6-9 Toulouse (Byrne, 43')
It’s through
44 min: It isn’t Henshaw, apologies. I’ll get who that is as soon as I can. Leinster point to the sticks.
43 min: Toulouse knock on but Leinster don’t hear the whistle and Lowe thinks he has scored but it is wound back for the penalty. Henshaw is down with injury now.
41 min: Leinster win a penalty and we will have one more roll of the dice before the break.
40 min: Kinghorn misses, just the restart to go and we have half-time.
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40 min: Chocobares is staying on here, a great sign. Toulouse point to posts from the penalty.
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39 min: Byrne kicks out on the full from the restart, a scrum from halfway now. Toulouse come away with it and they win another penalty. A worrying sign for Chocobares, who came on for an earlier injury, let’s hope he is okay.
PENALTY! Leinster 3-9 Toulouse (Kinghorn, 37')
A lovely kick that.
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37 min: Toulouse win a scrum penalty, do they go for posts or the corner? They go for posts.
35 min: Toulouse run it through the hands and Leinster look like they have turned it over but Doris gives away a knock-on. Phew we have a few seconds to breathe before the action starts again with a scrum.
34 min: That is why he is the world’s best play. Dupont has executed an inch-perfect 50:22. Speechless at how magnificent that was.
33 min: A loose line-out from Toulouse sees Leinster launch an attack, they knock on and the French club play the advantage, they then spill into touch. My word, this is non-stop.
31 min: Off the back of the line-out, it comes to Sheehan and the hooker looks like a wing! He makes unbelievable metres but Kinghorn tracks back to make the tackle a few metres from the line. Dupont is judged to have won the turnover at the breakdown, boos rain down as Leinster fans don’t agree but Toulouse clear. Wow, it is hard to keep up with this action.
29 min: Costes has a lovely inside running line to try and weave away from Leinster defenders but the Irish side have magical work at the breakdown to turn it over. Lowe kicks to clear but Dupont charges down, it bounces to a Leinster player and they manage to clear. FRANTIC!
28 min: The scrum is clean from both sides and Leinster get it out to start yet another attack. Kicks are exchanged and it ends with Kinghorn seeing it out for a line-out. Toulouse win it and they are on the attacking charge.
26 min: Toulouse clear and the line-out is good, they rumble through a driving maul but McCarthy does well to splice through and turn it over legally. Leinster opt for the scrum.
25 min: A Leinster scrum restarts proceedings, they win a penalty advantage but they burst into life. Henshaw makes impressive metres and they run through the phases. It comes back to the Ireland centre but four Toulouse players pile into the ruck and Ntamack turns it over. What a battle we are witnessing.
23 min: Some huge hits from both teams here, my oh my I don’t envy those on the end of those tackles. There are boos from the crowd as a replay shows a potential no arms tackle on Doris but nothing is given by the officials. There is also an early change for Toulouse with Ahki off with injury, Chocobares is on.
22 min: Byrne takes a crossfield kick and Baird is just inches from collecting that. Toulouse are able to clear but it comes straight to the Leinster backs, Lowe gets a few metres before spilling.
21 min: A remarkable restart from Toulouse as Mauvaka catches but a few phases later Toulouse obstructs and Leinster clear.
PENALTY! Leinster 3-6 Toulouse (R Byrne, 19')
They point to the sticks and they score.
Updated
19 min: A frantic bit of play as Ntamack is battered off the ball by Doris and he coughs up possession. Players are chaotically trying to pick it and eventually Toulouse gives away a penalty – they are starting to clock up.
17 min: A loose line-out from Leinster but they eventually pick it up. They run it through the hands and McCarthy thinks he has scored but referee Carley does well to see it was knocked on by Leinster in the build-up. The Irish side edging closer though.
15 min: Leinster keep knocking on the door and Toulouse give away a breakdown penalty, the referee plays advantage and we come back to it. Leinster kick to the corner again.
13 min: The resulting line-out from Leinster is clean, Byrne puts in a crossfield kick and Sheehan collects. Instead of running to the line himself he passes back inside and the referee is now looking to see if Roumat deliberately knocked on. He didn’t and so we have a Leinster line-out close to the line.
13 min: A rolling maul is collapsed but Leinster keep coming, it felt as though they were going to score but Gibson-Park spills and Toulouse then wins a penalty. The French side look to counter quickly but they have their own handling error and it’s out.
11 min: Leinster are back n the attack and they have an advantage, it comes to Lowe who throws a rogue pass but it eventually comes to an Irish hand. Toulouse give away another penalty and so we are back for the initial infringement, will they go to the corner or for posts? They go for corner.
10 min: The restart is taken expertly from Leinster and they start their first promising attack. They run through the phases but McCarthy spills and Toulouse can kick away. The Irish side showing hints of the danger they pose.
PENALTY! Leinster 0-6 Toulouse (Kinghorn, 8)
He does it again.
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7 min: Kinghorn is kicking this penalty again, another long range one.
7 min: This is the momentum I was speaking about earlier, the French side have had it so far and they have compounded that with that penalty. Leinster are looking to throw their first punch now, running it through the hands but Toulouse do really well to turn it over at the breakdown through Meafou.
PENALTY! Leinster 0-3 Toulouse (Kinghorn, 5)
A HUGE boot on Kinghorn, he slots it from halfway. Wow.
Updated
5 min: Toulouse win a penalty as Osborne is offside, it may be on the halfway line but Kinghorn points to the sticks. The Scotland international is kicking to posts today.
4 min: Leinster did clear which led to a Toulose line-out, it’s clean from the French side and they eventually kick away through Ntamack. Leinster under immense pressure as they box kick but it’s cleared. A frantic start!
3 min: The TMO agrees with Carley’s decision, no try as Dupont is out. Wow, that would have been very special if it stood. Leinster now able to clear. A warning shot from Toulouse.
2 min: Matthew Carley wanted to check if Dupont was onside from a kick and he is. Now they are checking if he is out when he offloads, I think he is.
2 min: My word, is this a try? Referee checking a Toulouse try here.
2 min: Some kicks exchanged in the early stages and it ends with Dupont cleaning up and taking it through the hands.
Kick-off! Leinster 0-0 Toulouse
Here we go then. Will it be a sixth title for Toulouse or a fifth for Leinster? 80 minutes and maybe some added time to decide it.
The players are out at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, this final is about to get underway. A piece of history is up for grabs but who will take it? We will soon find out.
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“If Toulouse can deal with Leinster’s Bok tune up thanks to Nienaber, the faster line speed & aggressive blitz, then the difference will be Dupont. He is a big game player ‘big game players make big time plays when it matters’,” John McEnery has said. “Savage battle incoming. Too close to call.”
I completely agree John, it is definitely hard to predict who will win today. Today will see momentum play a huge part, if teams can capitalise while they have it that could be the difference. If they let it breeze past them, as Gloucester did last night, it may be costly.
What are you up to on this bank holiday weekend? Enjoying the sun or having a lounge or both? Let me know via email or X (@rendellx).
Former England and Harlequins wing Ugo Monye has written a column about today’s match, have a read of it here:
Here is what Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said of his selection of Will Connors over Josh van der Flier: “He’s such a dynamic player, Josh [Van der Flier], we’ve always discussed different ways to get impacts off the bench, and Will [Connors] has been excellent in the couple of games he’s played, and the role he’ll deliver for the team.
“Hopefully we’ll have a good combination there, I think it’s important we have that freshness in those big games.”
Leinster may have found it difficult to win the Champions Cup over the last three finals they have played in (2023, 2022 and 2019) but they have already won four titles in their history. They are the club with the second-most Champions Cup titles. And who has more the most I hear you ask? Toulouse, of course.
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Antoine Dupont’s teammates call him the Martian because they can’t understand how he is so good.
Toulouse lock Emmanuel Meafou said: “The boys joke around and call him ‘the Martian’ as he is not from earth, he is an alien.
“You can’t do anything but shake your head and wish you could do that too. The stuff he does in games is only half of what he is capable of.”
Jamison Gibson-Park would be the best number nine if it wasn’t for his opposition today, Antoine Dupont. The Ireland scrum-half is excited by his battle with the French phenomenon this afternoon.
Gibson-Park said: “These are the moments you dream of in my position. He’s the number one player, the best player in the world these last few seasons.
“It’s a huge challenge for players in our position. But it’s the team who are facing him.”
Have a read of Rob Kitson’s preview of the final here:
The team news has been announced. Leinster have their likely stars in their line-up, like full-back Hugo Keenan, but there is one selection that has raised a few eyebrows.
Will Connors has been selected ahead of Josh van der Flier. Connors has impressed this season and started against La Rochelle in the quarters.
Leinster: Keenan; Larmour, Henshaw, Osborne, Lowe; R Byrne, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, McCarthy, Jenkins, Baird, Connors, Doris (capt).
Replacements: Kelleher, Healy, Ala’alatoa, Ryan, Conan, McGrath, Frawley, Van der Flier.
For Toulouse Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack make up the half-back partnership. The big call came at full-back with Blair Kinghorn starting ahead of Thomas Ramos.
Toulouse: Kinghorn; Mallia, Costes, Ahki, Lebel; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Mauvaka, Aldegheri, Flament, Meafou, Willis, Cros, Roumat.
Replacements: Marchand, Neti, Merkler, Arnold, Brennan, Graou, Chocobares, Ramos.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse. This is set to be a tasty match between two powerhouses in Europe but Leinster are looking to break their run of unfortunate final results.
This is their third consecutive Champions Cup final but in the previous two finals they fell short to French side La Rochelle. They exorcised their La Rochelle demons in the quarter-finals this season, beating Ronan O’Gara’s team 40-13. They then dispatched of in-form Northampton Saints in the semis and so they may potentially have the favourites edge today but they are coming up against a tough opposition this afternoon.
Toulouse are a formidable team themselves this season with wins over Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins in the quarters and semis. They also have some international stars who will have an impact, including arguably the best player in the world in Antoine Dupont.
Dupont has been plying his trade in the sevens game internationally but he has continued his form in the 15s for his club. That is not to say Leinster don’t have their own stars with the majority of the starting 15 being current Ireland internationals.
The team news is already available and so stay tuned for all the updates shortly ahead of kick-off at 2.45pm BST.