2024 European Rugby Champions Cup final explained

2024 European Rugby Champions Cup final
Event:2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup
Team1:Leinster
Team1score:22
Team2:Toulouse
Team2association:
Team2score:31
Details:After extra time
Date:25 May 2024
Stadium:Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
City:London
Player Of The Match1:Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
Referee:Matthew Carley (England)
Attendance:61,531
Previous:2023
Next:2025

The 2024 European Rugby Champions Cup final was the final match of the 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup, and the 29th European club rugby final in general. It was contested by Leinster and Toulouse, the two most decorated clubs in the competition's history.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the host venue of the final, becoming the second stadium in London to host the final after Twickenham Stadium.[1]

The final was won by Toulouse, who beat Leinster 31–22 after extra-time.[2] [3] [4]

Background

For the first time, the competition's two most decorated clubs met in a Champions Cup final.[5] Toulouse had previously won 5 times (1996, 2003, 2005, 2010 and 2021), while Leinster have previously won 4 times in (2009, 2011, 2012 and 2018).[6]

Both finalists appeared in the final for the eighth time. Toulouse's most recent appearance had been their triumph in 2021, while Leinster were the defeated finalists in both previous editions (2022, 2023) and would appear in their fifth final in the last seven editions (missing only 2020 and 2021).[7]

The two teams had met 14 times previously, with Leinster winning 8 and Toulouse winning 6. In knockout games, Leinster had held a 5–1 advantage, with Leinster eliminating Toulouse at the semi-final stage in each of the previous two editions.

Both teams entered the final in similar form, with both teams having won every game in their European campaign. They both topped their respective pool, with Toulouse gaining a maximum of 20 points and Leinster gaining 19. They both received home advantage through the knock-out stage, before gaining home country advantage in the semi-final to see them through to the final.

Route to the final

Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).

LeinsterRound Toulouse
OpponentResultPool stageOpponentResult
La Rochelle16–9 (A)Round 1 Cardiff52–7 (H)
Sale Sharks37–27 (H)Round 2 Harlequins47–19 (A)
Stade Français43–7 (H)Round 3 Ulster48–24 (A)
Leicester Tigers27–10 (A)Round 4 Bath31–19 (H)
Final standings
Pool D Top 4
TeamPWDLPFPADiffTFTATBLBPts
4 4 0 0 123 53 +70 17 5 3 0 19
4 3 0 1 102 99 +3 12 12 2 0 14
4 2 0 2 111 73 +38 13 9 2 2 12
4 2 0 2 84 122 –38 10 16 1 0 9
Pool B Top 4
TeamPWDLPFPADiffTFTATBLBPts
4 4 0 0 178 69 +109 26 10 4 0 20
4 3 0 1 151 109 +42 22 16 3 0 15
4 3 0 1 124 102 +22 18 14 3 0 15
4 1 0 3 116 117 –1 17 16 2 2 8
OpponentResultKnockout stageOpponentResult
Leicester Tigers26–22 (H)Round of 16 Racing 9231–7 (H)
La Rochelle40–13 (H)Quarter-finals Exeter Chiefs64–26 (H)
Northampton Saints20–17 (H)Semi-finals Harlequins38–26 (H)

Match

Details

FB 15 Hugo Keenan
RW 14 Jordan Larmour
OC 13 Robbie Henshaw
IC 12 Jamie Osborne
LW 11 James Lowe
FH 10
SH 9 Jamison Gibson-Park
N8 8 Caelan Doris (c)
OF 7
BF 6
RL 5
LL 4 Joe McCarthy
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Substitutions:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21 Luke McGrath
CE 22
FL 23
Coach:
Leo Cullen
FB 15 Blair Kinghorn
RW 14
OC 13
IC 12
LW 11 Matthis Lebel
FH 10 Romain Ntamack
SH 9 Antoine Dupont (c)
N8 8 Alexandre Roumat
OF 7
BF 6 Jack Willis
RL 5
LL 4 Thibaud Flament
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Substitutions:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Ugo Mola
Player of the Match:
Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)

Assistant referees:
Karl Dickson (England)
Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Television match official:
Ian Tempest (England)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Leinster v Toulouse: What time, what channel and all you need to know. 22 May 2024. Irish Independent. 24 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Toulouse edge Leinster in Champions Cup final thriller. 25 May 2024. BBC Sport. 28 May 2024.
  3. Web site: Third time unlucky for Leinster as Toulouse win European Champions Cup. 25 May 2024. Guardian. 28 May 2024.
  4. Web site: Leinster lose out once again as Toulouse win sixth Champions Cup. 25 May 2024. RTE Sport. 28 May 2024.
  5. News: Glennon . Michael . Preview: Stars war in store in Leinster's latest shot at regaining Champions Cup . 25 May 2024 . RTÉ Sport . 25 May 2024.
  6. Web site: Leinster warned to fear 'alien' Dupont as Toulouse seek sixth Champions Cup. 22 May 2024. The Guardian. 24 May 2024.
  7. Web site: INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL: CLASH OF THE TITANS AS LEINSTER RUGBY MEET STADE TOULOUSAIN. 24 May 2024. epcrugby.com. 24 May 2024.