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Leinster Hold Off Toulon to Reach Champions Cup Final

The four-time champions carry discipline and fitness lessons into a May 23 final in Bilbao.

Overview

  • Leinster's 29-25 semi-final win at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Saturday secured their first-ever victory over Toulon and a place in a ninth European final.
  • Leading 29-11 with about 13 minutes left, Leinster conceded two converted tries that cut the gap to four points before closing out a tense finish.
  • Discipline proved pivotal as Leinster were reduced to 13 players around half-time after yellow cards to Andrew Porter for head contact and Harry Byrne for offside.
  • Andrew Porter was widely named player of the match for dominant scrummaging and hard carrying despite his first-half sin-bin.
  • Robbie Henshaw left on a stretcher following a collision, and Leinster now await Bordeaux-Bègles or Bath for the May 23 Bilbao final as they pursue a fifth European title.