By Jesus, that was not a pretty final to watch but Leinster got over the line and are champions of Europe. Champions of the Champions Cup. Champions.
Leinster bounced back from a 12-9 deficit to beat Racing 15-12 in a nervy final at the San Mames stadium.
Isa Nacewa ultimately proved the matchwinner but one forward stood taller than every other player out on the pitch and gets our top mark.
Here’s how we rated the men in blue:
Rob Kearney – 6.5
Good under a clearing kick to give the ball back too cheaply and put his side under pressure. Got done for a high tackle by Barnes that would have been a pass most weeks. Came to the fore in the second half and gained vital metres for his team.
Jordan Larmour – 6
Jinked by three Racing players at one stage before Fardy gave him some forward momentum. Did all that was asked of him and his flank was never seriously breached.
Garry Ringrose – 7.5
Gave away an early penalty for a tackle on Virimi Vakatawa. Le Roux shrugged him off too easily in the Leinster 22 at one stage. Made a great line-break burst in the final stages to put Racing in deep trouble.
Robbie Henshaw – 7.5
Was in the mix and no doubt about it. Shipped a couple of heavy blows but dusted himself off and kept going. Was such a key figure in defence and offered himself up for hard carries.
Isa Nacewa – 7
How to rate Isa?! Poor overall but stepped up with two massive kicks.
Slid in to rescue Leinster after a knock-on in midfield, early doors. Made a super break up his left wing that put Racing in deep water and saw them concede a penalty. Pace is all but a memory so relying on his experience and game awareness. Stupidly kicked away possession to start off the second half. Made a gutsy defensive burst to prevent a Racing try on a 3-on-2 overlap. Then kicked another ball out on the full. Showed bottle to land a penalty in the closing minutes. Repeated the dose to WIN the cup for Leinster.
Johnny Sexton – 7
Nice choke-tackle on Chavancy to win a turnover and was working the ‘Leinster Loop’ well. Won’t want to see that penalty attempt from near halfway again. Backed himself soon after and slotted a penalty from a similar position before narrowly missing another pop from halfway. Ceded the kicking duties to Nacewa but it paid off.
Luke McGrath – 6
Won his team a handy penalty when he shaped to feed the ball into the scrum and Racing engaged too soon. Poor pass to Murphy forced a knock-on error. Good 60-minute shift after being injured for so long.
Cian Healy – 8
Great opening 40 – brimming with intent and made ground on a few carries. Landed every tackle he attempted and made 10 carries in his 54 minute shift.
Sean Cronin – 7
Lovely aggression and front early on. His lineout throwing was under pressure but Ryan became his beacon. Made a super carry at the start of the second half.
Tadhg Furlong – 6
Oddly muted in the first half. Leinster struggled to get him into the game, in the loose at least. Got into it more after the break. Allowed Roux to spin away from him in one exchanges.
Devin Toner – 6
Racing had his card marked at the breakdown. Tackled like his life depended on it and made more carries than usual.
James Ryan – 10
Jumped in to help Leinster win their first lineout. Repeated the dose when Toner was tackled in the lineout soon after. Was THE go-to man for getting over the gainline and knocked several Racing men on their rumps. Won a crucial turnover for his side in nhis own 22 with just 12 minutes to go. Had to go the full 10. He was the best player out on the pitch. A talisman at 21.
Scott Fardy – 8
First impact of note was grabbing hold of Larmour and shunting him through a clatter of Racing bodies. Showed nice hands to cling onto a deflected restart. Dogged and vital to his side winning.
Dan Leavy – 6
Had a chastening moment when he was turned over off a quick-tap penalty from Sexton in the Racing 22. Done for a high tackle on 63 minutes but there was little he could do as Tales was gunning low.
Jordi Murphy – 7
Enjoyed himself out there. Showed great handling to keep a couple of tackles alive and stuck his tackles. Will be disappointed with a knock-on going into the final quarter but McGrath’s pass did him no favours.
Replacements
Jack McGrath (for Healy ’54) – 6
James Tracy (for Cronin ’61) – 6
Jack Conan (for Murphy ’61) – 6
Jamison Gibson-Park (for McGrath ’61) – 6
Andrew Porter (for Furlong ’65) – 6
