Leinster v Saracens
European Champions Cup Final
Channel 4
11th May – 5.00 pm Kick Off
The chance to be crowned European champion will be presented to Leinster and Saracens on the weekend. The two giants of rugby will be meeting at St James’ Park in Newcastle on Saturday to battle it out for the biggest prize in European club rugby. That is, the European Rugby Champions Cup (formerly known as the Heineken Cup).
Saracans edge favouritism
Leinster go into the final as the slight underdogs, with leading bookmakers having them at even money. That is an indication though of how tight this final is expected to be. Leinster are the reigning European Champions in the tournament. They will be looking for their fifth title.
Twelve months ago they edged their way past the challenge of Racing 92 by a 15-12 scoreline to lift the title. If they were to do it again this weekend, Leinster would become the most successful club in the history of the Heineken Cup. A fifth title would move them past French side Toulouse. Standing in their way though is 8/11 match favourites Saracens.
Pool Stage Campaigns
Leinster weren’t perfect in the Pool stage of this season’s Champions Cup. They posted a W5 L1 record, their loss happening at Toulouse in the second round of action. To be fair that was just a one-point defeat for the Irish side in that fixture. In the group, Leinster collected five bonus points, one in the defeat at Toulouse and the other four try bonuses.
English giants Saracens claimed back to back European titles in 2016 and 2017, however they fell short in managing to become the first team to win it in three consecutive seasons. They have hit back hard with some powerful performances in this season’s competition though. Saracens went six wins from six in the pool stage, their home form particularly impressive.
Saracens’ Knockout Stage Path
The record that Saracens have at the Allianz Park in all competitions is magnificent. It stands at over a twenty match winning streak in all competitions. That was a key aspect of their progress in this season’s competition again. Saracens held home advantage for the quarterfinals.
They met the Glasgow Warriors in the quarterfinals, the team who they have beaten into second place in Pool 3. It was a dominant display from Sarries at the Allianz, who ran up seven tries for a 56-27 victory.
That put them through to a tough challenge against Munster in the semi-finals (played at Wasps’ Ricoh Arena). It wasn’t until a try from Billy Vunipola (who has been declared fit enough to take part in this European final) eight minutes from time that the real daylight appeared between the two teams. Owen Farrell converted eight of nine kicks at goals in the match. Their star power came good.
Leinster’s Knockout Stage Path
Leinster had a huge duel on home soil against Ulster at the in the quarter finals. That was always going to be a massive clash between the two Irish clubs and it was a nail-biter as well. The decisive moment came nine minutes from time when Leinster’s Ross Byrne slotted over a penalty kick to give Leinster a 21-18 home success. That was a heavy, heavy shift that they had to put in to get over the line.
That put Leinster through to a semi-final clash against Toulouse. The two of them were paired up in the Pool stage and had traded home wins against each other. So the importance of home soil advantage was once against key for the semi-final fixture. Leinster had it and they made the most of it with a 30-12 victory over the French outfit. Now it’s off to neutral soil of course on Tyneside to meet Saracens.
First Final Showdown
This will be the first European Trophy Final between Saracens and Leicester. Interestingly Leinster have managed to produce a win on each of their four previous appearances in the final itself. That is a tremendous strike rate at such a top level. Just to put that into context, Toulouse, who have won the European Cup four times like Leinster, have produced their wins from six appearances in the final.
As for Saracens, this will be their fourth European Cup final. Their first was back in 2014 when they slipped to a heavy defeat against Toulouse. Then they had their moment in 2016 when they powered their way past Racing 92 and followed it up the following year with a victory over Clermont. This is going to be a heavyweight showdown no question and the leading bookmakers have a -1 handicap on Saracens to win at even money. That’s how tight the market is.
Last Meeting
Saracens and Leinster were paired up in last season’s quarterfinals. What happened? Leinster produced a scintillating display of clinical rugby after the halftime break. Sarries simply had no answer to it. Everything the Irish side touched in the second period of that game turned to gold with them running out 30-19 winners. That made it three wins in three European Champions Cup meetings over Saracens. Can Saracens turn the head to head around?
