Summary

  • Saracens beat Leinster 20-10 to become European champions at St James' Park in Newcastle

  • English side secure third Champions Cup in four years

  • Billy Vunipola try while Leinster's Fardy was in sin-bin was crucial score

  • Converted Maitland try in injury time levelled score at 10-10 at half-time

  • Furlong scored first try with Itoje in sin-bin as Leinster led 10-0

  1. Postpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 11 May 2019

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola on Radio 5 Live: "It's very humbling. I am truly grateful that we have a group pf players that love playing for each other.

    "When we are down we try to look after each other. To do what we did showed the character of the team and depth of the squad.

    "We wanted to try to stay in touch and nearly conceded at the start of the second half but we held them out and that's part of the culture of the lads.

    "Today I want to make it about the team, it's not about me and what I stand for. It's about the team.

    "We've worked on that move for the try. I probably wouldn't have hurt my shoulder if I didn't go for it. It's á bit sore but I think I am being a bit soft."

    Billy Vunipola gets a hugImage source, BBC Sport
  2. Postpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 11 May 2019

    Saracens win Champions Cup

    Time for the trophy presentation. Johnny Sexton looks very pensive as his side prepare to collect their runners-up medals.

  3. Goode is European Player of the Yearpublished at 19:03 British Summer Time 11 May 2019
    Breaking

    Saracens win Champions Cup

    Alex Goode has been chosen as EPCR European Player of the Year. He said on BT Sport after his win was announced:

    "It was and unbelievable game. The whole squad was outstanding all year but that performance form the whole group to go 10-0 down and fight back like that was just outstanding.

    "They're a quality side. They've got internationals throughout their squad. We knew it would be a brutal game and it was.

    "Credit to everyone involved it was an amazing performance from the whole group. We love this competition. To go unbeaten throughout is outstanding so we've got to keep building now until the end of the season.

    "Every time I step out on the field for Saracens it's a privilege for me, it's the only club I've ever been at."

  4. 'We wanted to throw the kitchen sink at them'published at 18:59 British Summer Time 11 May 2019

    Saracens win Champions Cup

    Man of the match and Saracens captain Brad Barritt said on BT Sport:

    "We've spoken the last few weeks about being a tough team. You have to soak up pressure and respond when you get the opportunity.

    "The whole organisation has been working so hard for this and I'm really pleased we could pull it off today

    "Leinster are an unbelievable team with very few weaknesses. We wanted to really throw the kitchen sink at them and not hold back.

    "The amount of players that have come through our academy and the bonds between everyone in the team have got stronger and stronger."

  5. Dynasty set to continue?published at 18:56 British Summer Time 11 May 2019

    Saracens win Champions Cup

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live

    Who says they can't win it again and again and again over the next few years?

    These guys will be around for the next couple of years. It's a ridiculously talented squad with great coaches and infrastructure. They have been absolutely brilliant today.

  6. Postpublished at 18:55 British Summer Time 11 May 2019

    FT: Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Saracens are the first English side to win three Champions Cups.

  7. Postpublished at 18:54 British Summer Time 11 May 2019

    FT: Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Owen Farrell gives his team-mates handshakes and taps on the back.

  8. Postpublished at 18:54 British Summer Time 11 May 2019

    FT: Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    WinImage source, Getty Images

    Schalk Burger kicks it into touch and Saracens can finally celebrate. Brad Barritt and Maro Itoje hug and pat each other on the head.

  9. Full-timepublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 11 May 2019
    Breaking

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    It's over!

    A graphic which says 'European Champions' over a picture of Owen Farrell celebratingImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    The ball's gone out! Saracens celebrate. But NO. It was a deliberate knock-on by Liam Williams and Leinster go again.

  11. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Leinster are losing steam as they realise there's no time left to win this final. Saracens fans give a cheer as the clock goes red.

  12. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Liam Williams grabs the ball but immediately drops it and James Lowe regains possession. Lowe gives the crowd a bit more than they bargained for though as his shorts are pulled down.

    As if things weren't bad enough for Leinster already...

  13. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    What a comeback this has been. A reminder that they were 10-0 down just before half-time!

  14. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Leinster are still trying to find a way out as they attack five metres from their own line but they're getting absolutely nowhere.

  15. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Leinster have turned it over but surely Saracens already have a third title in the bag.

  16. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Liam Williams steps up the pace after an offload from Alex Lozowski and Saracens are just five metres out. One more try?

  17. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Leinster are going to run this one out. But Jackson Wray's turned it over!

  18. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Vunipola has immediately been given some ice for his left shoulder.

  19. 'Bad news for England'published at 18:47 British Summer Time 11 May 2019

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live

    This is not good news for Billy Vunipola or England. That is a shocker to see him going off with another injury.

    Vunipola has been immense today.

  20. Replacement - Vunipola offpublished at 75 mins

    Leinster 10-20 Saracens

    Billy Vunipola comes off and is replaced by Schalk Burger. There are some boos as the reaction to his controversial support of Israel Folau's comments on social media continues.