European Champions Cup final LIVE: Leinster v La Rochelle commentary & score

Summary

Leinster denied record-equalling fifth European Cup by late La Rochelle try
Coach Ronan O'Gara leads La Rochelle to their first Champions Cup triumph
Arthur Retiere goes over in 79th minute to snatch victory in Marseille
Six Johnny Sexton penalties gave Leinster 18-10 lead in second half
Pierre Bourgarit cut the deficit but then Thomas Lavault was sin-binned
However, O'Gara's side rallied superbly to triumph at Stade Velodrome

Live Reporting

Mike Henson

'There was great heart'published at 19:32 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
FT: Leinster 21-24 La Rochelle
La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara speaking to BT Sport: "We could see that if you stand off them they are going to be very, very strong. We had to take their time and space away and we knew we had to score tries to win. There was great heart. We could have rolled over, but we didn't and I think this is the start of something special.
"This is massive for La Rochelle, eight years ago they were in the second tier. We enjoyed it last season, because the Top 14 is such a marathon, we got a bit of a sprint going. We knew that Leinster are usually out of sight in the first half, so when we came in five down at half-time we knew that was OK.
"It feels a little surreal because it was such a tight game."
Postpublished at 19:27 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
FT: Leinster 21-24 La Rochelle
No words are needed...
Image source, Getty Images
'It is a sickener'published at 19:27 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
FT: Leinster 21-24 La Rochelle
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen speaking to BT Sport: "It has not really hit home, we are licking our wounds. It came down to fine margins and a couple of defensive sets.
"But there is probably a story before that as well in how we got into that situation.
"In the last 15 minutes we could have been better. It is a sickener, but credit to La Rochelle."
'The defence was everything'published at 19:20 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
FT: Leinster 21-24 La Rochelle
La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara on Channel 4: "We started a long way away from dreaming of getting to finals. We were second division eight years ago.
"I have to thank the boys and staff who have made me so proud. It would have been easy to lose today but we have learnt from previous finals and found a way to win.
"It wasn't pretty but I'm very proud. The defence was everything. This is the first time Leinster have not scored a try."
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 19:10 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
FT: Leinster 21-24 La Rochelle
Image source, PA Media
The trophy is thrust skywards by Greg Alldritt amid a blizzard of tickertape and the strains of that twinkly Champions Cup theme tune.
Grand Slam winners, Champions Cup winners, Challenge Cup winners. There is no doubt about the northern hemisphere's superpower at the moment.
Image source, Getty Images
ROGedpublished at 19:03 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
FT: Leinster 21`-24 La Rochelle
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'Devastating'published at 19:00 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
FT: Leinster 21-24 La Rochelle
Image source, Getty Images
Leinster fly-half Johnny Sexton speaking to BT Sport: "I am pretty lost for words to be honest, we weren't at our best. We wil have to look at it before we point any fingers. It is devastating. Fair play to La Rochelle, they came here with a plan. I didn't see them coming back but we did not clear our lines and we paid the price."
'It will be a good time in the port'published at 18:58 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
FT: Leinster 21-24 La Rochelle
La Rochelle second row Will Skelton speaking to BT Sport: "We are a big team, a power team, and that last 10 minutes showed what this shirt and town mean to us. I don't know how long we are going to party, but it will be a good time in the port."
Postpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
FT: Leinster 21-24 La Rochelle
Leinster's players are staring into the middle distance like they have seen the darkest secrets of the universe.
Physically drained, mentally dissolved, ultimately beaten.
They were four points up, with La Rochelle down to 14 men for the next ten minutes with 65 minutes on the clock.
That was their chance to finish it. They couldn't.
'La Rochelle deserve it'published at 18:50 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live
Under all that pressure the decision-making in the final five minutes allowed them to get their hands on that fabulous trophy.
They deserve it.
Full-timepublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
Leinster 21-24 La Rochelle
Ihaia West's kick flies over, Wayne Barnes' whistle peeps long and loud.
La Rochelle are Champions Cup winners for the first time in their history!
Leinster will have to wait to match Toulouse on five stars.
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live
He's tripped over his own man, got back up and scored with his forearm!
Try - Leinster 21-22 La Rochellepublished at 78 mins
Arthur Retiere
TRY STANDS!
Leinster sink as if hit in the solar plexus.
Ihaia West will take up every spare second over the conversion...
Try reviewpublished at 78 mins
Leinster 21-17 La Rochelle
Arthur Retiere thinks he has scrambled over.
Wayne Barnes thinks he has too.
But we are going upstairs to check the grounding...
Postpublished at 78 mins
Leinster 21-17 La Rochelle
One-out runners. Heroic, desperate defence. Who blinks first?
Postpublished at 77 mins
Leinster 21-17 La Rochelle
Leinster are holding firm. The clock is ticking down.
Three to go as La Rochelle rumble and are repelled once more...
'How are they repelling La Rochelle?'published at 18:43 British Summer Time 28 May 2022
Leinster 21-17 La Rochelle
Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live
The Leinster bench can't watch!
Leinster's players are gasping for air.
How on earth are they repelling the onslaught from La Rochelle?
Postpublished at 76 mins
Leinster 21-17 La Rochelle
Wayne Barnes brings play back for the penalty.
He keeps his yellow card in his pocket.
Leinster huddle up. They are four minutes away. Can they nurse this lead through to full-time? It is looking fragile and frail.
Postpublished at 76 mins
Leinster 21-17 La Rochelle
La Rochelle are battering around the fringes. They are two metres short. Leinster backed up to the brink...
Postpublished at 75 mins
Leinster 21-17 La Rochelle
La Rochelle knock on out wide. We come back for the penalty. La Rochelle are back up to a full complement as Thomas Lavault comes out of the sin-bin and into the fray.
Leinster bring on Luke McGrath at scrum-half as Jamison Gibson-Park departs.
La Rochelle opt to restart with another scrum. Five out, five to go. Their supporters sniff blood in the water.