Leinster vs Toulouse 2024: Summary, Scores, Goals, Highlights, Stats, League, Game Analysis, Points, Next Fixtures And Everything To Know
Rugby giants, Leinster and Toulouse, stood toe-to-toe, ready to etch their names into the annals of European rugby history. The stakes were high the coveted Champions Cup awaited its rightful owner.
Date and Venue
- Date: Saturday, May 25, 2024
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Result
Toulouse emerged victorious, defeating Leinster in a hard-fought battle that required extra time. The final score was Toulouse 31 – 22 Leinster.
Match
First Half:
- The opening whistle set the stage for an intense battle. Leinster, with their rich pedigree, sought redemption after two consecutive final defeats.
- Toulouse, no stranger to glory, aimed to add another star to their jersey.
- The scrums were brutal, the tackles bone-crunching. Both sides fought tooth and nail for supremacy.
- Antoine Dupont, the maestro from Toulouse, orchestrated attacks with precision. His darting runs left defenders grasping at air.
- Leinster’s Johnny Sexton, the seasoned fly-half, marshaled his troops, urging them forward.
Second Half:
The scoreboard remained tight. Leinster’s penalty kicks kept them in the hunt. Toulouse’s Thomas Ramos responded in kind, also slotting over crucial penalties. The tension escalated. Fans clenched their fists, hearts racing. Then, a moment of magic: Toulouse’s winger Cheslin Kolbe danced past defenders, leaving a trail of bewildered Leinster players.
Leinster rallied, their pack surging toward the try line. But Toulouse’s defense held firm.
Extra Time:
With the scores level, extra time beckoned. Dupont, the heartbeat of Toulouse, weaved through tired legs. Try! Leinster fought back, but fate conspired against them. A late red card reduced Leinster’s chances. Toulouse seized the opportunity.
Ramos, ice in his veins, slotted another penalty. The crowd erupted. The final whistle blew. Toulouse 31, Leinster 22.
Final Score
The final score: Toulouse 31 – 22 Leinster.
Key Moments and Performers
- Antoine Dupont: The French scrum-half, often referred to as “The Alien,” delivered an out-of-this-world performance. His turnovers and also game management were pivotal.
- Matthis Lebel: Toulouse’s only try came from Lebel, who raced home in extra time.
- Richie Arnold’s Red Card: Toulouse played with 14 men in extra time due to Arnold’s head-high clear-out on Leinster’s Cian Healy. Despite this disadvantage, Toulouse held firm.
Leinster
- Leinster had several chances to win the match within the regulation 80 minutes but couldn’t capitalize.
- Josh Van Der Flier scored Leinster’s first try, but Dupont’s influence thwarted their efforts.
- Leinster’s third consecutive Champions Cup final defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow.
- Antoine Dupont, also arguably one of the most complete rugby players of all time, continues to shine.
- Toulouse’s sixth Champions Cup title owes much to Dupont’s otherworldly performances.
- Next, Dupont aims to help Toulouse retain their French Top 14 title and then set his sights on the Olympics with France’s Sevens side.
Toulouse’s victory secures their place in rugby history, while Leinster faces disappointment once again. The French giants proved resilient, even with a man down, and claimed their record-extending sixth Champions Cup.
Head To Head Record
- These two rugby powerhouses have faced each other 14 times across various competitions.
- Leinster holds a slight edge in the head-to-head record, securing 8 victories.
- Toulouse has emerged victorious 6 times, with their most recent meeting resulting in a thrilling 41-22 win for Leinster in last season’s Champions Cup semifinal.
