Howdy! Hoho, here we go.
It’s Champions Cup final day. It’s Leinster versus Toulouse. It’s Ireland’s four-time European champions against the five-time European kings from France.
When the dust settles upon Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later this evening, either Leo Cullen’s side will have pulled level with the continent’s poster boys or Ugo Mola’s men will have stretched their dominance on this competition. All of that aside, the stakes don’t come bigger than the trophy that one of these sides will lift at around five o’clock today.
It’s Gavan Casey with you here and I’ll be bringing you live updates as the fun begins in North London.
Right, firstly, how are you feeling, Leinster fans?
Poll Results:
It’s a beauty of a day in North London. 20 degrees, sun shining, firm underfoot. You could make the case that those conditions might slightly suit Les Toulousains, but Leinster will equally have their own plans to play ball and exploit the French aristocrats on the edge.
There were rumours circling earlier today that Ross Byrne had been ruled out at the 11th hour — but that was horse product. Byrne is on the field warming up and he starts as planned.
Huge day for Ryan Baird who will call Leinster’s lineout. James Ryan is on the bench and Ross Molony, by far the best lineout caller at the province, is very unfortunate to miss out on a place in the matchday squad.
Toulouse have opted for Blair Kinghorn at fullback, with Thomas Ramos only involved from the bench. Les Toulousains are unchanged from their semi-final victory over Harlequins.
Leinster:
15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Jordan Larmour, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Jamie Osborne, 11. James Lowe, 10. Ross Byrne, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. Jason Jenkins, 6. Ryan Baird, 7. Will Connors, 8. Caelan Doris (captain).
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. James Ryan, 20. Jack Conan; 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Ciarán Frawley; 23. Josh van der Flier.
Toulouse:
15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Juan Cruz Mallia, 13. Paul Costes, 12. Pita Ahki, 11. Matthis Lebel, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (captain); 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Peato Mauvaka, 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Emmanuel Meafou, 6. Jack Willis, 7. François Cros, 8. Alexandre Roumat.
Replacements:
16. Julien Marchand, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Joel Merkler, 19. Richie Arnold, 20. Joshua Brennan; 21. Paul Graou, 22. Santiago Chocobares, 23. Thomas Ramos.
England’s Matthew Carley is your man in the middle today.
Leo Cullen, meanwhile, has been absolutely losing the run of himself on the sideline already. The guy is a madman.
Ross Byrne one of the first Leinster players onto the pitch.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) May 25, 2024
Big day for the number 10.
Leo Cullen also clearly in the mood! pic.twitter.com/8bY8sgG6mp
Just under 10 minutes to go, Matt…
Leinster and Toulouse have met on 14 previous occasions in the European Cup. Each club is the most common opponent for the other.
Leinster have won eight of their past meetings with Toulouse. They’ve won five of the clubs’ six knockout games. They’ve had, on average, 20 points to spare over Toulouse in their last three semi-final meetings (2019, 2022, 2023) — but all of those games took place in Dublin. (Incidentally, Toulouse haven’t knocked Leinster out of the European Cup since 2010).
Remarkably, this is the first ever meeting between the sides in a final. Toulouse put massive effort into the pool stage in order to avoid a trip to Dublin at all costs.
They’ve gotten their wish — a meeting with Leinster on neutral soil. And neutral fans have gotten their wish, too.
What a final this is going to be!
’1 – LEIN 0-0 TOU: Roman Ntamack gets us underway at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!
2′ – LEIN 0-0 TOU: WOW. What a start by Toulouse. A flowing, fast move puts Antoine Dupont away down the right edge and his offload puts Juan Cruz Mallia over for the score — but Dupont’s foot is ruled to have been in touch just prior to his pass.
What a tackle by his opposite number, Jamison Gibson-Park. A try-saver in the end as Dupont’s studs scraped the white paint.
Leinster win the lineout and clear up towards halfway.
4′ – LEIN 0-0 TOU: Jamie Osborne is pinged for offside just inside the Toulouse half and Blair Kinghorn will have a shot at goal.
Really fast start by Les Toulousains, here. Leinster have barely had a chance to have the ball yet.
5′ – LEIN 0-3 TOU: Kinghorn clears the crossbar with another 10 yards to spare. Incredible kick. Toulouse lead in North London.
Very early days — but Leinster will be slightly concerned by the French side’s ability to scythe through their blitz defence during that opening salvo.
6′ – LEIN 0-6 TOU: Osborne is tackled inside his own half and Toulouse’s pack — led by Jack Willis — blow Leinster off their own ball. Osborne is eventually pinged for holding on.
Kinghorn doubles Toulouse’s advantage from the tee.
9′ – LEIN 0-6 TOU: Leinster’s first attack yields a penalty advantage of their own — and James Lowe makes an excellent break into the Toulouse 22′! His offload inside, however, flies over Gibson-Park’s head and the try goes abegging.
Carley brings it back for a penalty and Leinster, with three points on offer, go to the corner. Huge chance here on the Toulouse 5′.
11′ – LEIN 0-6 TOU: Toulouse halt the Leinster maul and so Leinster are forced to attack the openside.
They have an overlap left but there’s a disconnect in their attack and the ball goes to ground! Toulouse win a penalty at the ensuing breakdown. A chance missed by the Irish province.
13′ – LEIN 0-6 TOU: A peach of a crossfield kick by Ross Byrne bounces up wonderfully for Dan Sheehan about 10 yards from the French line but he’s right on the touchline and he has to offload the ball blindly, over his shoulder, as he’s tackled into touch.
Leinster get the lineout deep in Toulouse territory as the ball comes off a red hand into touch.
14′ – LEIN 0-6 TOU: Penalty Leinster on the Toulouse 5′. Advantage comes to nothing as Toulouse defend stoutly.
Byrne prods Leinster back into the corner!
15′ – LEIN 0-6 TOU: Leinster slap the ball back from their own lineout and regather the ball 10 yards behind them. Jason Jenkins regains some of that ground but Romain Ntamack forces a knock-on in the tackle.
Toulouse scrum just outside their own 5′.
16′ – LEIN 0-6 TOU: Andrew Porter puts Dorian Aldegheri under pressure but Toulouse get the ball out in time and clear through Dupont.
18′ – LEIN 3-6 TOU: Leinster win another penalty in Toulouse’s 22′ as a man in red is penalised for trying to poach after Matthew Carley had ordered a release.
After three attempts at the maul, Leinster accept the points and Ross Byrne puts them on the board.
A helter-skelter game. Error strewn but compelling. And Leinster have gained a foothold.
23′ – LEIN 3-6 TOU: Two monstrous hits by Toulouse: Blair Kinghorn lights up Ross Byrne on a kick chase and François Cros blasts Caelan Doris.
Doris gets his own back shortly afterwards.
A blow for Toulouse, meanwhile: Pita Akhi, who has been carrying a knock for 10 minutes, has been replaced by Santiago Chocobares.
24′ – LEIN 3-6 TOU: Leinster win a penalty advantage at the scrum — Porter — and Robbie Henshaw gets in behind on the loop play.
Brilliant break, advantage over. Leinster swing right but James Lowe overruns Ross Byrne and Byrne has to pass instead to Baird, who’s stopped.
Leinster go back left and Romain Ntamack eventually wins a jackal penalty. Excellent scramble defence by Toulouse.
28′ – LEIN 3-6 TOU: Holy moly! Toulouse go close at one end and then Dan Sheehan rips a ball in midfield and takes it 50 yards upfield to within five of the Toulouse line! But Antoine Dupont, from whom Sheehan initially ripped possession, tracks all the way back and wins the jackal penalty after Kinghorn’s tackle.
What a piece of rugby that was. Cracking game.
33′ – LEIN 3-6 TOU: Dupont, again, with one of the best 50-22s you’ll ever see.
Takes it from the ruck and booms one into the Leinster 22′. It skims grass before finding touch.
Toulouse chance.
35′ – LEIN 3-6 TOU: Leinster stop Matthis Lebel on the left wing but Joe McCarthy spills forward as he tries to intercept a wonky Dupont pass.
Toulouse scrum about 10 yards from the Leinster line.
36′ – LEIN 3-9 TOU: Toulouse get their own back at the scrum as Porter pulls down Aldegheri upon engagement. Fair call by Carley.
Toulouse opt for three and Kinghorn slots his easiest kick of the day.
37′ – LEIN 3-9 TOU: Poor restart by Byrne, out on the full. Toulouse scrum on halfway.
38′ – LEIN 3-9 TOU: Toulouse win a pen on the left edge, 45 yards out, as Leinster are pinged for playing the ball on the ground.
There was some concern for replacement Chocobares but he’s back on his feet after a late hit by Robbie Henshaw — who was committed and avoids punishment.
Toulouse point toward the sticks — but for the first time today, Kinghorn misses. Wide left from a tough angle.
41′ – LEIN 3-9 TOU: HUGE jackal penalty by Sheehan and Leinster go up the line.
Massive carry by Caelan Doris up the middle! Chocobares chops Jenkins and they’re both hurt.
Leinster attacking in the 22′ and win a penalty for offside. Carley spots a blue knock-on — I didn’t see it myself — and Byrne will narrow the deficit from the tee.
Huge swing right at the break!
Ross Byrne slots the gimme three points and Leinster trail by just three at the break.
A six-point swing, really, on the stroke of half-time.
No tries and so many errors but still, what a game! And what a second half we have in store.
41′ – LEIN 6-9 TOU: Ross Byrne restarts the game deep and Toulouse clear up to halfway.
James Ryan is on for Leinster, replacing Jason Jenkins who picked up that knock just before the break. Decent sub…
43′ – LEIN 6-9 TOU: Unbelievable take in the air by Kinghorn but Ryan Baird is straight in over the ball and he takes the roof off Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he wins a penalty between the Toulouse 10′ and 22′.
Byrne prods Leinster inside the latter — but Sheehan make a mess of his lineout throw and Toulouse escape.
Josh van der Flier on for Will Connors.
46′ – LEIN 6-9 TOU: Toulouse putting Leinster under big pressure at the breakdown but they’re pinged inside their own half, in front of the posts, and Byrne has a chance to level the game.
47′ – LEIN 9-9 TOU: Byrne chips over. Every moment has been a battle but that’s a good start to the second half by Leinster overall.
49′ – LEIN 9-9 TOU: Inside their own 22′, Leinster win a penalty at the scrum. Porter regaining the ascendancy, there.
Byrne moves Leinster up to halfway.
51′ – LEIN 9-9 TOU: Big burst by Doris and Leinster attack down the left edge. Jack Willis turns them over on the ground legally but Carley then penalises him for failing to release!
Huge chance for Leinster deep in Toulouse territory but the Frenchmen deny their maul again! Unbelievable defence, and it’s a Toulouse scrum.
55′ – LEIN 9-9 TOU: Leinster knock on the door again but Lowe’s attempted offload on the French 5′ is intercepted!
Dupont booms one up to halfway and Jack Willis, and one or two teammates, lift Josh van der Flier up and eventually bundle him into touch.
This is absolutely breathless stuff.
57′ – LEIN 9-9 TOU: Toulouse make incremental gains beyond halfway — it’s savage stuff by both sides — and Gibson-Park strays offside.
Kinghorn, from 40 yards out, central to the sticks, nudges Stade back in front.
60′ – LEIN 9-12 TOU: Into the final quarter. The second half has been an arm wrestle and a stalemate, but still utterly compelling.
Leinster have a scrum outside the Toulouse 10′ after a forward pass by Ntamack down the right edge — and they win the penalty!
63′ – LEIN 9-12 TOU: Byrne, who was down receiving treatment on his ankle, eventually kicks Leinster into the Toulouse 22′.
Ryan wins the lineout and Leinster go to the maul once more. Toulouse halt their momentum but eventually concede a penalty advantage in front of the posts. Leinster, with those three points in the back pocket, go wide to Larmour but he’s stopped.
Carley comes back for the pen and Byrne, still limping, will level the game again from point-blank range.
66′ – LEIN 12-12 TOU: What a final quarter we have in store! Byrne remains on the pitch for the moment after drawing the sides level.
68′ – LEIN 12-12 TOU: INCREDIBLE TACKLE BY JORDAN LARMOUR!!!
Lebelle claims a crossfield kick and has the line at his mercy but Larmour sprints across and puts him touch a fraction of a second before the wing can dot down!
Wow, wow, wow. That is a massive moment.
Also massive is Jamison Gibson-Park’s eventual clearance kick, which brings us back up to halfway.
70′ – LEIN 12-12 TOU: Toulouse’s maul rumbles 15 yards and they win a penalty as McCarthy comes in at the side.
Thomas Ramos will kick this one — it’s about 40 yards out, 15 in from the left-hand touchline.
71′ – LEIN 12-15 TOU: Ramos splits the posts!
Stade Toulousain regain the lead with nine minutes to go.
74′ – LEIN 12-15 TOU: Frawley makes a strong carry down the left wing and Leinster find themselves deep in Toulouse’s 22′ once more. They swing open to Rónan Kelleher but Antoine Dupont — the miracle man — wins a jackal penalty and the men in red go nuts!
76′ – LEIN 12-15 TOU: Leinster go through phases on halfway but make no ground, so Frawley blasts a contestable and lands one down on top of Ntamack — who spills it forward under pressure!
Scrum Leinster just outside the Toulouse 22′. What have you got up your sleeve, Andrew Goodman? Now would be a good time to unleash it!
77′ – LEIN 12-15 TOU: Penalty Leinster at the scrum!!! Porter!!!
78′ – LEIN 15-15 TOU: Ciarán Frawley splits the posts! Leinster level with two minutes to go!!!
80′ – LEIN 15-15 TOU: FRAWLEY IN THE POCKET! FRAWLEY FOR THE DROP! OHHHH IT DRIFTS WIDE LEFT!
Twenty seconds to go, and Toulouse will restart with a 22-metre drop-out. Still time.
80′ – LEIN 15-15 TOU: Antoine Dupont makes another turnover inside his own half. Unbelievable. Toulouse fart around for a couple of phases before kicking the ball out.
We’re going to extra-time!
1′ – LEIN 15-15 TOU: Romain Ntamack gets us underway for the third half!
2′ – LEIN 15-15 TOU: Wow, Leinster will be down to 14 for the first period of extra-time.
Toulouse tried to attack left and Dupont’s pass was flicked into the air, and forward, by James Lowe. He’s furious at the yellow but it’s the correct decision.
The blues get a break, however: Ramos’ kick trails wide right! He’s been uncharacteristically poor.
3′ – LEIN 15-22 TOU: TRYYYYY FOR TOULOUSE!!! IT’S MATHIS LEBEL!!!
With James Lowe binned and with Ciarán Frawley down after a huge collision, Toulouse find the space down their left wing and Lebel sprints home for the first try of the game. That’s a massive, massive blow.
Ramos splits the posts from the left-hand touchline.
Frawley, for the moment, remains on the field.
6′ – LEIN 15-22 TOU: Dupont has just kicked another 50-22′, this time directly from a box kick.
Toulouse’s tails are up now. Leinster must regroup.
7′ – LEIN 15-22 TOU: Toulouse win a penalty at the maul. They can stretch the lead to 10, here. This has been a ruinous start to extra-time for Leinster.
9′ – LEIN 15-25 TOU: Ramos chips over. The margin is 10. It’s a long, long way back for Leinster now.
10′ – LEIN 10-25 TOU: Richie Arnold is sent off for a shoulder to Cian Healy’s head at the breakdown.
High degree of danger, no mitigation. Red all day.
Now, could that be a swing?
It’s going to be Leinster with the numerical advantage for the second half of extra-time!
11′ – LEIN 15-25 TOU:
With the clock red, Leinster win a penalty and turn down the three. They go for the corner but Frawley can only kick them a couple of yards inside the Toulouse 22′.
Leinster lineout and James Lowe is back on the field, so it’s 15 v 14 in their favour.
16′ LEIN 22-25 TOU: LEINSTER ARE BACK IN IT!!! JOSH VAN DER FLIER ON THE STROKE OF HALF-TIME IN EXTRA-TIME!!!
TRYYYYYYYY!!! WHAT A SWING!!!
Frawley adds the extras and Leinster will have a spare man as they try to claw back a three-point deficit in the second half of extra-time!
11′ – LEIN 22-25 TOU: Ten minutes to decide it all!
12′ – LEIN 22-25 TOU: Stupid (but obviously tired) penalty concession by Caelan Doris who tries to play the ball from his knees.
Ramos, from the Leinster 10′, sneaks it inside the left-hand post and 14-man Toulouse lead by six.
15′ – LEIN 22-31 TOU: Wow, this has been a huge start to the final 10 minutes by Toulouse. Cian Healy gets isolated just inside his own half and the immense Jack Willis wins the penalty over the ball.
Ramos makes it a two-score game with five minutes to go. Leinster need a converted try and something else if they’re going to do this.
18′ – LEIN 22-31 TOU: Leinster move into the Toulouse 22′ but they eventually spill forward in contact. Toulouse scrum.
Unless Leinster can win a penalty against the head, here, this one is over.
19′ – LEIN 22-31 TOU: Toulouse retain the ball — just — and clear through Ntamack.
Leinster attacking again but they’re out of time. Toulouse are about to become six-time European champions.
That’s that. Toulouse have done it again!
For the third year in a row, it’s heartbreak for Leinster in the Champions Cup final.
Keep an eye on The 42 for Murray Kinsella’s full match report and all of our analysis — albeit it’ll be tough to stomach if you wearing blue today.
Thanks for joining us for live updates. Catch ye soon.
