Toulouse gained their sixth Investec Champions Cup title in dramatic style as they wanted additional time to beat a dogged Leinster 31-22 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In a ding-dong affair, there have been no tries in regulation time as each side performed out a 15-15 stalemate, earlier than Matthis Lebel broke the impasse at the beginning of additional time to gasoline a manic interval, which noticed two dismissals.
Leinster had James Lowe despatched to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on, earlier than Toulouse noticed Richie Arnold proven a crimson card for violent conduct on the breakdown with a flailing left arm.
Josh van der Flier arrange a grandstand end as he bundled over, however Thomas Ramos, a substitute in favour of the Scot Blair Kinghorn, confirmed a cool head with three additional penalties to take the French aspect to a different European crown.
TALKING POINT – MISTAKES WHEN IT MATTERED
Had they confronted some other aspect within the competitors, Leinster would have been lifting their fifth Champions Cup, however in the case of the easiest gamers delivering, Toulouse had that in spades.
It was not only a case of Ugo Mola’s stars shimmering brightest, nevertheless, as particular person errors, notably when it mattered, value Leo Cullen’s aspect.
Ciaran Frawley missed two golden drop-goal makes an attempt late on within the second halves of regulation and further time, and Lowe’s sin bin gave Toulouse full momentum to go on and notch the primary strive of the sport.
Leinster sought to make the most of the additional man after Arnold was brandished a crimson, however they didn’t capitalise totally after Van der Flier’s strive, with some hesitation in essential areas and passes going awry.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – ANTOINE DUPONT, TOULOUSE
The very best participant on the planet, and on membership rugby’s greatest stage, boy, did he present it.
Everyone knows him for his silky expertise and fast palms at 9, however the scrum-half did way over that, displaying true defensive aptitude and fortitude.
His last-ditch deal with on the breaking Dan Sheehan within the second half was a specific spotlight, and that doesn’t even come near the penalties that he gained together with his wiliness.
Thomas Ramos of Toulouse celebrates a penalty throughout the Investec Champions Cup remaining between Leinster and Toulouse on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
Picture credit score: Getty Pictures
PLAYER RATINGS
Leinster: Keenan 6, Larmour 6, Lowe 6, Henshaw 5, Osborne 5, Byrne 6, G-Park 6, Connors 6, Doris 6, Baird 6, Jenkins 5, McCarthy 7, Furlong 6, Sheehan 6, Porter 6. Replacements: Kelleher 6, Healy 6, Ala’atoa 6, Ryan 6, Conan 6, Frawley 5, van der Flier 7.
Toulouse: Kinghorn 7, Malliva 6, Lebel 6, Costes 6, Ahki 5, Ntamack 7, Dupont 8, Cros 6, Roumat 7, Willis 7, Meafou 6, Flament 6, Aldegheri 6, Mauvalla 7, Baille 6. Replacements: Marchand 6, Neti 6, Merkler 6, Arnold 5, Brennan 5, Chocobares 5, Graou 6, Ramos 7.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
83’: YELLOW CARD They’re an alleged deliberate knock-on from James Lowe as Toulouse break down the suitable… and he is given his short-term marching orders!
84’: TRY! LEINSTER 15-22 TOULOUSE (LEBEL) Properly, Lowe can be feeling a bit worse now! What a pace of switch throughout the backs, exploiting the additional quantity. It is labored via the palms, and Lebel, who’s been quiet right this moment, races past the determined Josh van der Flier, to run within the remaining’s first strive! Ramos provides the extras.
91’: RED CARD! Arnold is beneath the microscope for his entry…what has that left arm struck? He’s off! What an opportunity now for a Leinster comeback, with James Lowe set to rejoin us.
95’: TRY! LEINSTER 20-25 TOULOUSE (VAN DER FLIER) They’re inside yet one more! Leinster camp on the Toulouse tryline because the forwards maintain selecting and going, and the flanker makes a determined dive to floor it. The TMO has a glance, and it is positively down!