Toulouse seal sixth Champions Cup crown with gripping win over Leinster

Toulouse won their sixth Investec Champions Cup title in dramatic fashion as they needed extra time to overcome a dogged Leinster 31-22 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In a ding-dong affair, there were no tries in regulation time as both sides played out a 15-15 stalemate, before Matthis Lebel broke the deadlock at the start of extra time to fuel a manic period, which saw two dismissals.

Leinster had James Lowe sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on, before Toulouse saw Richie Arnold shown a red card for violent conduct at the breakdown with a flailing left arm.

Josh van der Flier set up a grandstand finish as he bundled over, but Thomas Ramos, a replacement in favour of the Scot Blair Kinghorn, showed a cool head with three further penalties to take the French side to another European crown.

Had they faced any other side in the competition, Leinster would have been lifting their fifth Champions Cup, but when it comes to the very best players delivering, Toulouse had that in spades.

It was not just a case of Ugo Mola’s stars shimmering brightest, however, as individual errors, particularly when it mattered, cost Leo Cullen’s side.

Ciaran Frawley missed two golden drop-goal attempts late on in the second halves of regulation and extra time, and Lowe’s sin bin gave Toulouse full momentum to go on and notch the first try of the game.

Leinster sought to take advantage of the extra man after Arnold was brandished a red, but they did not capitalise fully after Van der Flier’s try, with some hesitation in crucial areas and passes going awry.

The best player in the world, and on club rugby’s biggest stage, boy, did he show it.

We all know him for his silky skills and quick hands at nine, but the scrum-half did far more than that, displaying true defensive aptitude and fortitude.

His last-ditch tackle on the breaking Dan Sheehan in the second half was a particular highlight, and that does not even come close to the penalties that he won with his wiliness.

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.

83’: YELLOW CARD They’re looking at an alleged deliberate knock-on from James Lowe as Toulouse break down the right… and he’s given his temporary marching orders!

84’: TRY! LEINSTER 15-22 TOULOUSE (LEBEL) Well, Lowe will be feeling a bit worse now! What a speed of transfer across the backs, exploiting the extra number. It’s worked through the hands, and Lebel, who’s been quiet today, races beyond the desperate Josh van der Flier, to run in the final’s first try! Ramos adds the extras.

91’: RED CARD! Arnold is under the microscope for his entry…what has that left arm struck? He’s off! What a chance now for a Leinster comeback, with James Lowe set to rejoin us.

95’: TRY! LEINSTER 20-25 TOULOUSE (VAN DER FLIER) They’re within one more! Leinster camp on the Toulouse tryline as the forwards keep picking and going, and the flanker makes a desperate dive to ground it. The TMO has a look, and it’s definitely down!