Billy has spoken ...
Report and reaction
That’s about all from me. Saracens are kings of Europe again, and if they play like that again next year, you wonder who on earth could stop them making it four in five years. Thanks for joining me, and goodnight.
Saracens’ defence coach, Alex Sanderson, says Maro Itoje’s yellow card “woke us up”. He adds that the club’s ‘A’ team have a final here on Monday, so their plan for tomorrow is “an all-dayer in Newcastle”. Lovely stuff.
Here’s Paul Rees’s match report from Newcastle:
Saracens are heading up to collect their winners’ medals in an orderly fashion. It’s almost like they still can’t break ranks after that demonstration of discipline.
Now the captain, Brad Barritt, has his hands on the trophy and the smiles start to break. He hoists it above his head, and the gold ticker tape and champagne flies!
Updated
Maro Itoje is the official man of the match, which might irritate Leinster fans, given a couple of borderline tackles from the No 6 in the second half.
There were immense performances from so many in red today. George Kruis, Owen Farrell, Sean Maitland and Alex Lozowski were all exceptional, and Vincent Koch impressed off the bench.
Billy Vunipola, still in the media spotlight for his comments on Israel Folau, inevitably had a huge say with some big steals and the clinching try. For me, his brilliant on-field displays are still spoiled by his off-field attitudes. It’s a shame.
Here’s Owen Farrell: “There was a little something holding us back, it didn’t feel like we were at full pelt. But we let loose after that. Coming here, being in a big occasion, and not holding back.”
“In the big games, everyone has to put pressure on. Early on, we made too many errors, but we came out flying in the second half. We’re all one big team, that’s how we’ve trained this week, all year, and we’re getting better and better.”
Full time: Leinster 10-20 Saracens
From 10-0 down late in the first half, Saracens produced a dazzling comeback, pegging Leinster back by the break and dominating the second half. It was supposed to be too close to call, but by the end they were in total command. Stay tuned for more reaction...
Saracens win the Champions Cup!
They think it’s all over, but Leinster get a penalty for a knock-on. They play on, if only for pride, but Saracens win it back and Koch kicks into touch – just about. Saracens are European champions for the third time in four years!
Updated
78 mins: Leinster wrestle the ball back and fight to get out of their own 22. This game brings to mind England’s Six Nations win in Dublin – they have absolutely smothered their opponents in the second half, defeat by a thousand ferocious tackles.
Updated
77 mins: Williams leads the red wave to within five metres, with Koch once again driving Leinster back – he’s been excellent after coming off the bench.
76 mins: Leinster simply can’t get started – and Saracens, relentlessly swarming, turn the ball over again. Leinster have never lost a Champions Cup final, but that record will end shortly.
75 mins: Devin Toner trudges off, replaced by Max Deegan as Leinster look to go all-out for a try.
74 mins: Vunipola is off, replaced by Schalk Burger. There are no boos, just chants of ‘Billy’ from the Saracens fans. Putting his off-field comments aside for the moment, he may well be man of the match today.
Updated
73 mins: Saracens roll ominously towards the try line, Lozowski’s craft and Koch’s brute force getting them to within five metres – but a knock-on spares Leinster.
72 mins: Ringrose tries to kick-start a Leinster attack – but Vunipola is in the right place to intercept. He’s had a big second half, and no mistake.
70 mins: Vunipola controls the ball from another scrum, and Leinster are penalised as the tackles grow increasingly desperate. Farrell kicks to the corner. From 10-0 down, Saracens have been bloodless, ruthless and practically faultless.
69 mins: In the stands, Leinster’s Stuart Lancaster looks exasperated as a loose pass leads to a knock-on. Furlong heads off, replaced by Michael Bent.
TRY! Leinster 10-20 Saracens (Vunipola 68')
This time Billy Vunipola bursts from the back of the scrum and despite the efforts of four blue shirts, he gets the ball over the line! Farrell converts, and Fardy comes back on. Is it too late for Leinster?
Updated
66 mins: Sarries push forward, but Vunipola can’t keep the ball under his feet and Leinster break away – but the penalty inevitably comes. Farrell could kick the three points, but Saracens can smell blood here...
64 mins: Might this be the moment for Saracens? From the scrum, the red shirts pour forward again with Lozowski leading the charge. As with Maitland’s score, Leinster get pulled in and leave space on the left. They regroup, but Saracens win a scrum five metres out...
63 mins: Changes for both sides – Nick Isiekwe replaces the immense Will Skelton, while for Leinster, Jack McGrath and James Tracy replace Healy and O’Brien.
62 mins: Leinster press forward with 14 men, but Billy Vunipola pounces to snatch the ball away from Sean O’Brien. Wigglesworth clears, and Larmour shanks into touch under pressure.
61 mins: Itoje at the heart of things again, drawing jeers from the crowd after another high challenge. Penalty, but no second yellow card.
Updated
60 mins: Saracens have used pretty much every trick in their book to turn this game round. They’re 20 minutes from a third title in four seasons, but Leinster aren’t done yet.
Leinster 10-13 Saracens (Farrell penalty 59')
Farrell kicks the regulation three points, and Saracens lead for the first time!
NO TRY ... and a yellow card for Fardy!
Garces says no try, but as in the first half, a No 6 is offside. This time it’s Leinster’s Scott Fardy, and Saracens have a man advantage!
57 mins: ...now Saracens do find a gap, only for Kearney to put in a crunching tackle on Jamie George! Sarries come again, and Itoje lunges for the line – it’s ugly, physical stuff, this. He’s held up, but Koch presses the ball against the post. TRY? We’ll find out!
Updated
56 mins: Leinster scrum, from which the champions try to break downfield. It descends into another forward battle, with Itoje pulling Fardy’s shirt clean over his head in a bid to break through...
55 mins: Richard Wigglesworth, who has been at the heart of so many Saracens successes, comes on for Ben Spencer.
54 mins: Saracens earn and win a scrum, and work through the phases – but Fardy pounces to pry the ball loose! He can’t hang on to it, but Lozowski, quieter in the second half, knocks on.
51 mins: Replays show Itoje riding a tackle from Sexton – but leading with his arm as both men went to ground. He’s pushing his luck, having already been in the sin-bin. For Leinster, James Tracy replaces Sean Cronin.
Updated
50 mins: Vunipola breaks beyond the gain line as Saracens barge their way into Leinster territory. With the tide turning against them, the champions force a penalty! These defences are ridiculously good.
Updated
48 mins: ...but Williams comes up with a brilliant steal at the vital moment! Saracens clear away and relieve the mounting pressure.
46 mins: Leinster’s backs flip the ball this way and that, creating pockets of space for their forwards to hurtle into. It’s mesmerising stuff, both tricky and technical and bone-shakingly brutal. They’re closing in on the line, with numbers on the overlap...
Updated
44 mins: Eek, a close call for the defending champions here, as Vunipola deflects a Ringrose pass. Williams gathers and races away – but Garces calls him back for a knock-on!
43 mins: Saracens hold firm so their opponents change tack, Sexton finding Lowe who charges infield. There’s no way through, and Leinster are forced back outside the 22...
42 mins: Saracens concede a penalty from an early lineout, and Sexton kicks clinically into the corner. Sean O’Brien is positioned at scrum-half, suggesting Leinster will try to start a rolling maul...
We're back!
Farrell kicks off. What a half this could be...
Did you know?
Tadhg Furlong has given himself the nickname ‘The Jukebox’ – because he plays all the hits, apparently. Not because he is the size and shape of a jukebox.
If Saracens go on to win, this might prove to be the pivotal moment. With momentum swinging Leinster’s way, two huge tackles stopped them in their tracks. Five minutes later, their 10-point lead was gone.
Look at the intensity from Saracens!
— Watch the Champions Cup final live on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) May 11, 2019
Two MASSIVE hits to force a penalty to get them on the scoreboard 👊 pic.twitter.com/VHJwcKo70b
Half-time entertainment
Here’s Guardian contributor Ugo Monye in jeans and shoes, kicking a ball into the River Tyne for some reason:
Still got it @ugomonye 😎
— BT Sport (@btsport) May 11, 2019
Strolls up in jeans and boots and kicks a rugby ball halfway across the Tyne 🙌pic.twitter.com/c4MmyhIoeA
Half time! Leinster 10-10 Saracens
Farrell adds the conversion from a tight angle, and somehow, Saracens end the half level. Game very much on! More soon.
TRY! Leinster 10-8 Saracens (Maitland 43')
How big a moment might this be? Leinster get sucked into the forward battle and Farrell switches play in a flash, finding Sean Maitland in acres of space!
Updated
42 mins: Saracens win the lineout and surge for the line. Jamie George is held up inches short, but there’s an overlap on the left...
41 mins: An awkward kick from McGrath is snaffled by Vunipola, and Saracens get a penalty as James Ryan fails to move away. It’s kicked to the corner, and Saracens have an unexpected chance here...
Leinster 10-3 Saracens (Farrell penalty 39')
Farrell is in no rush with half time approaching and Itoje almost ready to return. Eventually, he slots the kick to bring Saracens within a score.
37 mins: Saracens strike back, Maitland slamming Conan to the turf – and Kruis follows up with a fierce tackle on Sexton! Leinster are rocked, and concede a penalty. Farrell with the chance to get Sarries on the board...
36 mins: Leinster have the momentum, stopping a Saracens attack with almost dismissive ease as McGrath and Ryan go to town on Vincent Koch, who gets isolated up front.
35 mins: Saracens held out for the best part of 10 minutes there, but they restart 10 points and a man down – and with concerns over Mako Vunipola, who’s putting ice on his knee on the bench.
TRY! Leinster 10-0 Saracens (Furlong 32')
The pack race out to support Conan, and Tadhg Furlong, on his 100th Leinster appearance, forces his way over. Sexton converts, and Leinster have some breathing space!
Updated
32 mins: Leinster scrum, and Conan bursts around the back. He’s held up, but surely Saracens can’t hold out much longer...
31 mins: Worse news for the English side, as both Mako Vunipola and Titi Lamositele have to go off with injuries. Richard Barrington and Vincent Koch come on. That’s a considerable triple blow to the Saracens defence...
NO TRY ... and a yellow card for Itoje!
Garces can’t see that the ball has been grounded – it looked like Kruis was underneath it. There’s bad news for Saracens though – Maro Itoje was offside twice in that defensive effort, and is sent to the sin bin!
Updated
29 mins: After an almighty scrap underneath the posts, Cian Healy makes a crafty dart for the line. He doesn’t look convinced himself, but Garces will check with the TMO...
28 mins: Sexton spies Lowe in space on the overlap, but his throw is a touch too high and Saracens can cover it. Leinster keep pushing, and have an advantage... can Saracens possibly hold on here?
27 mins: ...and Rob Kearney finds the gap with a sidestep and a burst of speed! He’s held up five metres out, but Leinster rebuild...
26 mins: Another Leinster attack is slowly ground down by the Saracens defence, and after an exchange of kicks, James Lowe leads another blue wave forward...
24 mins: It will take a spark of creativity to break open either defence – and Ben Spencer’s crafty reverse pass to Maitland almost catches Leinster short. Leinster force the turnover though, and there’s a break as the American prop, Titi Lamositele, receives treatment.
Updated
23 mins: Leinster end up going backwards, and Saracens pick up the turnover through sheer force of will.
22 mins: Leinster work their way through the phases – the tempo has slowed slightly in the last few minutes – but the red wall ahead of them is unrelenting...
20 mins: From a scrum, Saracens swing the ball left with Billy Vunipola trying to force a gap – but Leinster holds firm and the crowd whistles as Saracens slow the ball up. Barritt is penalised at the breakdown, and looks rightly annoyed with himself.
Updated
17 mins: Farrell’s risky overload under pressure finds Lozowski, and Saracens edge forward with Maitland wriggling repeatedly into space...
Updated
16 mins: A slower spell of Leinster possession ends with a knock-on, but Farrell strays offside and is penalised. He is, naturally, straight in Garces’ ear and letting him know his thoughts.
15 mins: A ferocious opening from the defending champions, who seem to have the more vocal backing from the stands. There have been moments of encouragement for Saracens too, however.
12 mins: Leinster are very much up for this, and McGrath wrestles the ball from Alex Goode to set up a counter attack. Larmour kicks downfield, sprints past Vunipola down the line, but can’t gather the ball with the try-line beckoning! Ringrose does collect it, but Garces whistles for a knock-on.
Updated
11 mins: For all the talk of a game of chess beforehand, this has been a fast and frenzied opening spell.
Updated
10 mins: A loose pass halts the charge, and Kearney sends a quick kick in behind, in the hope that Larmour can pounce. Saracens regroup, but turn it over as Henshaw strips the ball out.
8 mins: Leinster scrum, from which Jack Conan snaffles the ball and tries to break away. McGrath’s clearing kick is high but straight into Williams’ hands, and Saracens can go again...
Updated
6 mins: Time for Saracens to mount an attack, led by Liam Williams with a jinking run. The Welshman is eventually hauled out of touch 10 metres out.
Updated
5 mins: Jamie George has the ball on the ground, and Leinster power forward – they’ve started far more aggressively. Maro Itoje does well to get over the ball and force a penalty.
4 mins: Sexton gets Leinster back on the attack with a looping run, but Larmour’s grubber down the right flank is mopped up...
Leinster 3-0 Saracens (Sexton penalty 3')
It’s a fair way out but central, and Sexton isn’t going to miss in such clement conditions. Great work by Leinster to turn Sarries’ line speed against them, and eke out an early lead.
Updated
2 mins: Oof, Vunipola almost intercepts an attempted kick-through from the lineout – but Saracens had been caught offside moments before. And Sexton is going for the posts...
Updated
1 min: Saracens gather and Ben Spencer sends his first kick downfield. It’s gathered by Rob Kearney. Leinster kick again, Goode takes a mark and sends a solid clearing kick into touch.
Here we go!
Leinster are in royal blue, Saracens in their all-red change strip. Lovely colour combo. Sexton kicks off...
Updated
Almost time for kick-off, St James’ Park filling up nicely and festooned with blue, black and red flags.
Updated
As part of the pre-game warm-up, Mako Vunipola is stretching his neck with this rather medieval-looking contraption...
This game is available free-to-air – although I’ll still expect you to read along, naturally. It’s live on Channel 4, who bolster their live sport portfolio, adding to the 2005 Ashes, the Paralympics, a few random grands prix, and Kabaddi.
Sexton & Farrell = Statler & Waldorf? John makes a fair point; the referee will be under pressure from the get-go.
@niallmcveigh titanic match ups all over the park. Way too close to call but as a Leinster man I have faith that we’ll win a 5th title. Gotta feel sorry 4 Garces who is going 2 have 2 of the crankiest blokes ever in ear 4 the full 80. Statler & Waldorf haven’t a patch on JS & OF pic.twitter.com/2Gn1x888Ee
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) May 11, 2019
Pre-game reading
Plenty of top-notch content to get your teeth into here:
Billy Vunipola was greeted by boos as he arrived at St James’ Park. The Saracens No 8 received a similar welcome from Munster fans in the semi-final, after his public support for Israel Folau.
Plenty of boos for Billy Vunipola as he makes his way into St James Park pic.twitter.com/gxzAA2F2In
— Seán McMahon (@Sean_McMahon89) May 11, 2019
Road to the final
Leinster topped a tough-looking Pool 1 ahead of Toulouse, Bath and Wasps, winning five games and losing 28-27 in France. Saracens powered through Pool 3, winning all six games against Glasgow, Cardiff Blues and Lyon.
In the quarter-finals, Leinster were pushed all the way by Ulster before back-up fly-half Ross Byrne kicked a winning penalty despite struggling with cramp. Saracens conceding a first-minute try to Glasgow in their last-eight game – but rallied in style to win 56-27.
Saracens faced their first real test in the semi-finals, when they overcame Munster in a hard-fought encounter at the Ricoh Arena. In Dublin, James Lowe kept up his fine scoring record with the first try as Toulouse were swept aside.
The teams
Leinster: Kearney; Larmour, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton (c), McGrath; Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Toner, Ryan, Fardy, O’Brien, Conan.
Replacements: Tracy, J McGrath, Bent, Ruddock, Deegan, O’Sullivan, Byrne, O’Loughlin.
Saracens: Goode; Williams, Lozowski, Barritt (c), Maitland; Farrell, Spencer; M Vunipola, George, Lamositele, Skelton, Kruis, Itoje, Wray, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Gray, Barrington, Koch, Isiekwe, Burger, Wigglesworth, Tompkins, Strettle.
Preamble
What makes the perfect final? For starters, it helps to have the two best teams in the competition – and we surely have that here today.
Leinster are the defending champions, but Saracens took the trophy in the two seasons before that. The Irish side are the reigning Pro14 champions; the Londoners are the Premiership holders. Both teams are in the hunt for a double, but their paths collide in Newcastle today.
Even the bookmakers are hesitant to call this one, with Saracens currently edging the betting by a hair’s breadth. It’s little wonder – both sides excel at executing similarly clinical game plans, with Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell pulling the strings behind ferocious forward lines.
With two teams so well-matched, the early stages might be absorbing rather than electrifying, but there’s too much at stake for this not to deliver drama. Leinster are chasing a record fifth European title, Saracens a third triumph in four years. Best of all, there can only be one winner. Kick-off: 5pm, BST.
