Summary

  • Northampton Saints into Champions Cup final as they stun Leinster 37-34 in all-time classic semi-final in Dublin

  • Read Jonathan Bradley's match report

  • The Premiership side reach their first Champions Cup final since 2011, while Leinster fail to make the final for the first time in four years

  • First half: Freeman hat-trick and Pollock scores for Saints; O'Brien and Van der Flier respond for Leinster

  • Second half: Doris, Sheehan and Lowe tries for Leinster; Ramm hits back for Saints

  • Controversial last-minute refereeing decision as Leinster denied try

  1. Goodbyepublished at 20:00 British Summer Time 3 May

    FT: Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    So Northampton have ended Leinster's pursuit of a fifth Champions Cup title.

    The Premiership side have reached their first final in the competition since 2011.

    You can read our full report from Aviva Stadium here.

    Until next time...

  2. 'We punched them in the face'published at 19:59 British Summer Time 3 May

    FT: Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    Speaking on RTE, Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell said: "A couple of pundits were saying they're going to win by 20/30 points, that Saints won't score a point.

    "We showed up today and were a bit more fearless this time around. Last year, we were waiting to see what Leinster were going to do.

    "We showed up today and first 20 minutes we punched them in the face. They weren't really expecting that. Credit to the boys we got the result.

    On their tactics: Defensively, they're a quality side. We needed our one-on-one tackles and our two-man shots to put them on the backfoot.

    Alex MitchellImage source, Inpho
  3. 'A massive disappointment'published at 19:55 British Summer Time 3 May

    FT: Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    Speaking to RTE, Leinster captain Caelan Doris said: "I'm absolutely gutted. It's a massive disappointment. Credit to Saints, they came out firing as we expected. We just weren’t good enough.

    "We knew there would be bigger tests than we have played previously, we weren’t accurate enough with our stuff but credit to them, their attack was very dangerous.

    "There is massive belief in this squad and we wanted to start the second half in the right note but Northampton dug in and it went right down to the wire.

    "From the first minute to the 80th, there were opportunities we didn’t take. We will stay tight as a group, take the learnings and there is still a chance of silverware in the URC this season."

  4. Stat checkpublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 3 May

    FT: Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    Possession: 58%-42%

    Metres made: 381-549

    Carries: 161-101

    Clean breaks: 8-10

    Defenders beaten: 23-35

    Turnovers won: 10-8

  5. 'We will all be watching the tele'published at 19:45 British Summer Time 3 May

    FT: Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    Speaking to Premier Sports, Northampton fly-half Fin Smith said: "All week we were reading stuff - 'Leinster by 30, Leinster by 40'.

    "We are so tight as a group and we wanted to bring it on.

    "We have been nice and calm all week. We had a job to do and we came in and did it."

    On potential British and Irish Lions selection: "We will all be watching the tele [on Thursday] and fingers crossed."

    Fin SmithImage source, Getty Images
  6. 'I was just feeling the pulse'published at 19:40 British Summer Time 3 May

    FT: Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    Speaking to Premier Sports, Northampton back row Henry Pollock said: "That was a battle. I have never played in a game that hard in my life.

    "That is what dreams are made of. As a boy, I grew up watching this competition and to get to the final with my boyhood club, I'm emotional speaking about it. After the last two performances these Leinster boys had, to come here with no fear, we have been saying all week, 'Why not us'?"

    On his try celebration: "I was just feeling that pulse. This is why you play the game because you love it. The fans, the sport, going up against the best back row in the world was amazing, bring on Cardiff."

  7. 'We ran for each other for 80 minutes'published at 19:34 British Summer Time 3 May

    FT: Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    Speaking to Premier Sports, Northampton's hat-trick hero Tommy Freeman said: "We probably came in as the underdogs but the fight we showed and the squad we have, we know we can produce this performance and take anyone on.

    "When we put our game on the pitch we stress defences. We ran for each other for 80 minutes and got the result."

  8. Postpublished at 19:29 British Summer Time 3 May

    FT: Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    That was a thrilling game of European rugby.

    Leinster players and fans alike look shell-shocked. The pursuit of that elusive fifth star on the jersey goes on...

  9. Full-time - Leinster 34-37 Northamptonpublished at 19:24 British Summer Time 3 May

    Northampton Saints have landed a huge upset! They have beaten the four-time winners on their own patch.

    The Premiership side reach their first Champions Cup final since 2011.

    Leinster fail to make the final for the first time in four years.

  10. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    It's no try as the ball hits the corner flag at the base but Alex Coles is sent to the bin.

    We have 60 seconds to play at the Aviva!

    Northampton lead by three...

  11. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    This would be cruel, or amazing, depending on who you want to win.

    Josh van der Flier is hauled down just short of the line. He loses control of the ball behind him and it almost trickles out, but somehow remains in play by hitting the corner flag.

    Ross Byrne spots the loose ball and tries to apply the pressure for the try.

  12. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    Wave after wave of Leinster attack is being repelled for now.

    The seconds tick down.

    Do the hosts have the answer?

  13. Postpublished at 76 mins

    Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    Joe McCarthy, deep in Saints territory, charges at the green and black shirts.

    That man, Henry Pollock drags him down from his shirt and manages to disrupt the ball at the breakdown, for Alex Coles to steal it.

    Terrific defending.

  14. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Leinster 34-37 Northampton

    This has been some game.

    Leinster have not been at their fluent best but remain in the contest.

    Saints have proved everyone wrong and are deservedly in front.

    Less than seven minutes remaining...

  15. try

    Converted Try - Leinster 34-37 Northamptonpublished at 70 mins

    James Lowe (con Sam Prendergast)

    The quick tap works a treat, yet again.

    Henry Pollock is penalised for not releasing before competing for the ball and Leinster have the penalty.

    They line up one way but throw the ball the other as James Lowe scores in the corner.

    Sam Prendergast adds the conversion.

  16. Sin-bin - Josh Kemeny (Northampton)published at 67 mins

    Leinster 27-37 Northampton

    How crucial will this prove to be?

    Northampton back row Josh Kemeny will spend the next 10 minutes in the bin for a high shot on Rabah Slimani.

    The referee says the initial contact is on the chest before riding up to the head so it doesn't meet the red card threshold.

  17. Postpublished at 65 mins

    Leinster 27-37 Northampton

    Northampton have been ruthless when they have had the opportunity to fire a shot.

    Leinster, by contrast, have not and that is reflected in the score line.

    A thrilling final 15 minutes to come...

  18. try

    Converted Try - Leinster 27-37 Northamptonpublished at 62 mins

    James Ramm (con Fin Smith)

    Saints hit back!

    The Premiership side have been largely starved of the ball in this second half but they are able to move the Leinster defence one way and then the other.

    Quick ball out the back then negates the Leinster blitz and James Ramm cruises over the line.

    Fin Smith adds the conversion.

  19. try

    Try - Leinster 27-30 Northamptonpublished at 59 mins

    Josh van der Flier

    The Leinster rolling maul finally gets over.

    It hasn't been as effective as usual today but it works perfectly there as Josh van der Flier carries over.

    Sam Prendergast misses the conversion but it's now a three-point game.

  20. Penalty - Leinster 22-30 Northamptonpublished at 55 mins

    Fin Smith

    England's Fin Smith lands a huge kick to nudge his side further ahead.

    The difference is now eight points.