Leinster have fallen to Toulouse in the Champions Cup final
Toulouse are Champions Cup winners for 2024 after beating Leinster in extra-time of the competition’s showpiece event in London.
This is how we rated Leinster’s players on a heartbreaking day for Leo Cullen’s men:
Andrew Porter: 8
Very effective in the scrum on a day when Leinster’s set-piece functioned almost perfectly.
Dan Sheehan: 8
Excellent throughout. Made a potentially game-changing break in the first half, showing a clean pair of heals after intercepting an Antoine Dupont pass. Dupont made up for it with a turnover, though. Of course he did.
Tadhg Furlong: 7
Took his performance to a high level in the second half. Leinster emerged for the second half full of fire and the Wexford tighthead was leading the charge.
Joe McCarthy: 7
A busy outing for McCarthy, dealing with a ferocious Tolouse pack.
Jason Jenkins: 6
Used his sizable frame to his usual effect but was withdrawn at half-time through injury.
Ryan Baird: 7
Imposing. A big reason why Leinster found themselves on the front foot time and time again, spending lots of time in Toulouse territory.
Will Connors: 7
His impact wasn’t as obvious as it was against La Rochelle in the quarter-final but he still got through a mountain of work.
Caelan Doris: 8
Made a couple of big hits and ensured quick Leinster ruck ball by fending off Toulouse’s best efforts at the breakdown. Gave away a silly penalty in extra-time.
Jamison Gibson Park: 8
He has become so important for Leinster and Ireland in the last year. Controlled the pace of the match and marshalled Leinster into the Toulouse territory. The issue was what Leinster did once they got there.
Ross Byrne: 7
A steady outing but was frustrated to kick a restart dead towards the end of the first half. Hobbled his way through much of the second half.
James Lowe: 7
Lowe’s performances have a high base level. He was sin-binned in extra-time for a deliberate knock-on but he was solid throughout and looked to have scored a try in the first half only for the referee to call play back for a penalty.
Jamie Osbourne: 7
Looked comfortable if not outstanding on the big stage. A tidy footballer who is getting better and better.
Robbie Henshaw: 7
Offered a threat through the middle as Toulouse’s depleted midfield provided an inroad for Leinster to make hay.
Jordan Larmour: 7
Pretty quiet on the right wing. That was until the 69th minute when he was initially beaten to a crossfield kick but recovered well to force Matthis Lebel into touch at the vital moment. Had an impressive patch afterwards with two great takes in the air.
Hugo Keenan: 7
Everything we’ve come to expect. Calm, cool and clinical. Didn’t quite get the opportunity to cut Toulouse’s defence open, however.
