Summary

  • La Rochelle fight back from 17-0 down to retain Champions Cup in pulsating Dublin final

  • George-Henru Colombe powers over for crucial score as French side dominate second half

  • Leinster scored three tries in first 12 minutes at Aviva Stadium

  • Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle rally to cut lead to 23-14 at half-time

  • La Rochelle complete biggest comeback in Champions Cup final history

  • French side beat Leinster in similar fashion in last year's final

  • Leinster replacement Michael Ala'alatoa sent off late on for high tackle

Live Reporting

Mantej Mann

  1. 'Enjoy the fear'

    Leinster 23-14 La Rochelle

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I think Ronan O'Gara will have been saying in the changing room 'enjoy the fear of coming at Leinster, we are their bogey team.'

    Will SkeltonGetty Images

  2. Kick-off

    Leinster 23-14 La Rochelle

    We go again.

  3. HT: Leinster 23-14 La Rochelle

    It looked like there would be no way back for La Rochelle in the opening 11 minutes when Dan Sheehan crossed for Leinster's third try.

    But the defending champions are a quality outfit and they carry threats all over the field.

    All to play for after the interval.

  4. 'Quality opening blitz' from Leinster

    HT: Leinster 23-14 La Rochelle

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Such was the quality of the opening blitz from Leinster the game almost looked out of reach for La Rochelle.

    They slowly got back into the game and the try late in the half, is the psychologic fuel you need when you are behind on the scoreboard which will only increase if James Ryan doesn't come back.

  5. Half-time - Leinster 23-14 La Rochelle

    What a half of rugby in the Champions Cup final. Real Test match intensity and quality.

    Leinster flew out of the blocks with three quick tries but La Rochelle have grown into the game. They will not be giving up their crown lightly.

  6. La Rochelle 'at their finest'

    Leinster 23-14 La Rochelle

    Denis Hickie
    Former Leinster and Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That is a killer time for Leinster to concede. That was La Rochelle at their finest.

  7. try

    Converted Try - Leinster 23-14 La Rochelle

    UJ Seuteni (con Antoine Hastoy)

    La Rochelle have been threatening to get back into this game and UJ Seuteni is over.

    The French side punch holes in the Leinster defence and Antoine Hastoy times the pass to perfection for UJ Seuteni to run in unopposed.

    Hastoy adds the conversion and the gap is cut to nine points.

  8. 'Big passage of play'

    Leinster 23-7 La Rochelle

    Denis Hickie
    Former Leinster and Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That was a big passage of play from both sides, lung-busting stuff and a few players have their hands on their hips.

  9. Leinster 23-7 La Rochelle

    What is going on out there? End to end stuff.

    Antoine Hastoy chips over the blue wall and Leinster cannot deal with it.

    Paul Boudehent hacks it forward and looks like he is going to score but the covering Leinster defence gather the loose ball just in time.

  10. Leinster 23-7 La Rochelle

    La Rochelle are penalised at the breakdown and Leinster will have the chance to fire it back down the other end.

    Levani Botia needs a couple of fingers strapped up and a new pair of shorts, much to the amusement of the Aviva.

  11. 'A bust-up can galvanise a team'

    Leinster 23-7 La Rochelle

    Denis Hickie
    Former Leinster and Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Sometimes a bust-up can galvanise a team and with La Rochelle suffering, it may help them take a bit of steam out of the game.

    Will Skelton of La Rochelle clashes with Ross Byrne of LeinsterGetty Images

  12. Penalty - Leinster 23-7 La Rochelle

    Ross Byrne

    Ross Byrne smashes another penalty over the posts and Leinster lead by 16 points.

  13. Ryan going off a 'big blow'

    Leinster 20-7 La Rochelle

    Denis Hickie
    Former Leinster and Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    James Ryan took a heavy blow there, it doesn't look good. He has put himself around and he is such a big player, that is a big blow for Leinster him going off.

  14. Leinster 20-7 La Rochelle

    That was a huge hit by James Ryan but has it cost him an injury?

    He makes his way off the field and down the tunnel for what looks like it could be a HIA.

  15. Leinster 20-7 La Rochelle

    Bang.

    James Ryan lands a huge hit on UJ Seuteni as he tries to gather the ball.

    The Leinster faithful enjoyed that one.

  16. Leinster 20-7 La Rochelle

    Gregory Alldritt shows all of his nous and experience to knock the wrists of Jamison Gibson-Park as the Leinster scrum-half tries to move the ball.

    He can attack the arms but not the ball, and he does it brilliantly. The Aviva don't like it but it's clever.

  17. 'Leinster's pieces moving constantly'

    Leinster 20-7 La Rochelle

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    All of Leinster's pieces are moving constantly and it is hard for La Rochelle to respond to it.

  18. Penalty - Leinster 20-7 La Rochelle

    Ross Byrne

    It's a decent kick by Ross Byrne, who has missed a couple of conversions, to stretch the lead to 13 points.

  19. Leinster 17-7 La Rochelle

    Leinster force the penalty in midfield and Ross Byrne will have the shot at goal to try and nudge the 'hosts' further in front.

  20. 'Fantastic bit of personal skill'

    Leinster 17-7 La Rochelle

    Denis Hickie
    Former Leinster and Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It was a fantastic bit of personal skill, he bounced off Gary Ringrose which is not an easy thing to do. That is some power from Danty.