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Toulouse once again reigned supreme in European club rugby, clinching a record-extending sixth Champions Cup title with a dramatic 31-22 extra-time victory over Leinster. The final, held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, showcased Toulouse’s relentless defense and determination, erasing the agony of their recent semi-final defeats to the Irish province.
The regulation 80 minutes ended in a 15-15 deadlock, with both sides relying heavily on their kickers. Neither team managed to cross the try line during this period, though Leinster arguably had more opportunities.
The extra-time action kicked off with a bang as Toulouse’s wing, Matthis Lebel, darted in for the first try of the match within the opening 10 minutes. Despite being down a man after Richie Arnold’s red card, Toulouse held firm, thanks to clutch penalties from substitute Thomas Ramos.
“It is awesome to be able to win with this team,” Toulouse captain Antoine Dupont said. “We really wanted to win the sixth star after losing to Leinster over the last two years.”
Leinster, aiming to break their streak of Champions Cup final losses, found themselves two men down when James Lowe was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on and replacement Ciaran Frawley got injured. Lebel capitalized, sprinting over for a try that Ramos converted, adding a penalty shortly after to stretch the lead to 25-15.
In a twist, Arnold received a red card for an illegal clear-out, offering Leinster a glimmer of hope. Josh van der Flier’s try, confirmed after a lengthy review, brought them within three points at the end of the first half of extra time.
However, Ramos’s accurate kicking sealed Toulouse’s victory, adding two more penalties to cement a nine-point cushion. Toulouse full-back Blair Kinghorn and Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne exchanged penalties throughout the match, maintaining a tight scoreline until the extra period.
“We had plenty of opportunities… We’re devastated we couldn’t get over the line,” admitted Leinster boss Leo Cullen. “Toulouse were probably just a bit more clinical.”
The match marked the first Champions Cup final encounter between these European heavyweights, setting a new chapter in their rivalry. Kinghorn, selected over Ramos, set the tone early with precise kicking, but it was Toulouse’s defensive resilience that kept Leinster from capitalizing on several promising positions.
In the end, Toulouse’s experience and tactical acumen secured them another European crown, leaving Leinster to reflect on another close, yet ultimately disappointing, campaign.
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