Champions Cup final LIVE: Saracens regain title with 20-10 victory over dethroned champions
Re-live the latest updates live from the Heineken Champions Cup final between Saracens and Leinster at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.
Saracens became the first English side to be crowned three-time champions of Europe with an emphatic victory that leaves little doubt over who the best side in Europe is, outclassing Leinster and outscoring them after fighting back from 10 points behind.
A try from Tadhg Furlong put Leinster ahead in the first half, but the teams went in at the break level as Sean Maitland replied for Saracens on the stroke of half-time. Owen Farrell then kicked Saracens ahead before Billy Vunipola added a second try for the Premiership side. Re-live the live action below.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Heinken Champions Cup final between Saracens and Leinster, brought to you from St James' Park in Newcastle.
It's the European final we've been waiting for. Saracens, the 2016 and 2017 European champions, take on Leinster, the reigning Champions Cup holders, Pro14 champions and joint-most successful club in European history.
Forget your Tottenhams, forget your Liverpools. This is the biggest European final of the year.
As Sam Peters writes, this really is the final that has it all. Saracens will be intent on gaining revenge for last season's quarter0final exit, and in Liam Williams - the British and Irish Lions back - they have one of many match-winners who will need to be silenced by Leinster.
With little over 15 minutes until kick-off, Leinster have confirmed that hooker Sean Cronin is fit to start the match, having been nursing a calf injury in midweek.
With that in mind, here's how the two sides shape up:
Saracens have named a similar side to the one that powered past Munster in the semi-finals, with just two changes to show from that convincing 32-16 victory. Sean Maitland was forced to withdraw in the warm-up of that match, but the Scotland wing is fit to start today and comes in for David Strettle, while the absence of Michael Rhodes in the back-row has forced the English side into a reshuffle as Maro Itjoe moves to flanker and Will Skelton comes in at lock.
The two sides disappear into the tunnel to begin their final preparations, with the 52,000-seater stadium filling up by the second. Yesterday inside St James' Park it was Clermont Auvergne who claimed the silverware in beating La Rochelle in the Challenge Cup final, but today it's the main event.
The question is: who will win? There's very, very little to choose between these sides, and it's fair to day that in 2018/19 the cream has risen to the top.
It is a sea of black and blue in Newcastle today, although Saracens will playing in their changed strip of red today, and as the teams emerge, Johnny Sexton holds back to allow Tadhg Furlong to run out on his own on his 100th Leinster appearance. Here come the teams!
1 mins: Perhaps in a sign of the early nerves, both sides look to kick the ball away and McGrath puts his box-kick a touch too long that allows Goode to take the mark inside his own 22.
2 mins: Leinster get the first penalty as Barritt is penalised for offside, with Leinster catching Saracens out at the lineout. Sexton will go for goal.
6 mins: Cronin and Conan catch Saracens out at a ruck with a powerful counter-drive that shoves them off the ball and creates the turnover, only for referee Jerome Garces to award Saracens the penalty that relieves the pressure inside their own 22.
9 mins: Saracens get their first real chance to attack and quickly work the ball into the hands of the dangerous Liam WIlliams, but despite a little bit of space emerging on the right he's quickly shoved towards touch and drops the ball in the process.
11 mins: Saracens come again and Lozowski features heavily, making a line break before a second run decieves Henshaw as he breaks past on his inside shoulder. Henshaw does well to recover though and strips the ball in the next tackle, only for a Ringrose knock-on to give Saracencs possession with the scrum put-in.
13 mins: McGrath manages to dislodge the ball out of Goode's hands and Larmour can counter, brushing off an attempted tackle from Billy Vunipola and breaking up field. However, the eye-catching break is judged to have gone forwards, and Saracens breathe a sigh of relief.
17 mins: Saracens get a penalty advantage for the scrum collapsing and Saracens decide to play on, making good ground towards the Leinster 22. However, the ball is dislodged from the hands of Williams and he elects to hack it on, allowing the Wales wing to tackle Kearney deep on his own line. Sarcens attempt to force the turnover but Leinster kick the ball into touch, handing Sarries possession and territory with the lineout inside the 22.
20 mins: Saracens go on the attack and make quick progress, but assistant referee Romain Poite has his flag up and has spotted Barritt charging into a ruck with his shoulder making contact with flanker Scott Fardy, handing Leinster an easy out.
23 mins: Leinster put together some nice phases that sees Ringrose put Cronin away on his inside shoulder, but the Saracens defence regroups well and holds firm on their 10m line. 19 phases later, Billy Vunipola spots his chance and goes in for the turnover, popping out of the ruck with the ball and giving Saracens possession.
26 mins: Ringrose boots the ball downfield and Lowe hares off in pursuit, putting pressure on Williams as he collects it and then intercepts when Goode tries to return the ball to the wing.
