Leinster 20-17 Northampton recap and result from Champions Cup semi-final

Leinster 20-17 Northampton

Leinster survived a late Northampton Saints fightback to book their place in a third successive Champions Cup final.

A James Lowe hat-trick seemingly had Leo Cullen's side cruising towards the showpiece event in Tottenham Hotspur's Stadium on May 25th, but a late rally from the Premiership leaders gave the 82,300 fans in attendance at Croke Park the collective fright of their lives.

The hosts got off to a lightning-fast start with James Lowe touching down inside 13 minutes following a quick tap-and-go at the try-line by the mercurial Jamison Gibson Park.

Minutes after scoring the first try at GAA HQ in 13 years, Lowe crossed the whitewash again. Gibson-Park was heavily involved once more, beautifully helping a bouncing ball on its way to the unmarked Lowe who touched down under the Cusack Stand.

Ross Byrne stretched the lead with a simple penalty on 30 minutes, but the boys in blue were unable to keep a first-half cleans sheet as Fin Smith kicked a fine penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Leinster continued to squeeze the life out of the Saints after the restart and seemingly had the game in the bag when Lowe bagged his hat-trick two minutes after the restart following a sensational line-break from Caelan Doris.

But just as the game seemed destined to peter out, Leinster were infected with sloppiness and allowed the English side back into the game when Jordan Larmour and Andrew Porter made a mess of clearing George Hendy's chip, allowing the winger to touch down and make it a 10-point game.

A penalty for Leinster a couple of minutes later 30 yards out in front of the posts looked like it would steady the ship. But like so many Gaelic footballers and hurlers before him, the task of scoring into Hill 16 proved too tough and the out-half shanked his kick well wide.

The Saints piled on pressure down the stretch, but Leinster stood firm and withstood the barrage. That is until Tob Seabrook crossed touched down with four minutes to play while Leinster were momentarily reduced to 14-men as the injured Ciaran Frawley received treatment on the turf.

Northampton kept their foot on the gas pedal and almost broke through to break Leinster hearts, but a heroic tackle from the battered Frawley stopped the attack in its tracks, and when Jack Conan stole the ball on the deck with 40 seconds to play, he secured the win for Leinster and gives them another chance to win a fifth Champions Cup.

Key EventsFT: Leinster 20-17 Northampton19:26Try! Leinster 20-17 Northampton19:19Try! Leinster 20-10 Northampton19:01Try! Leinster 20-3 Northampton18:44WATCH: First-half highlights18:27Oisin DohertyCaelan Doris describes Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final win as an "amazing occasion"

By Michael Scully.

CAELAN Doris described Leinster's Croke Park experience as "a level up" as Blues boss Leo Cullen expressed relief that the Blues made the Champions Cup final last night.

Cullen admitted that his side must improve for the decider against Toulouse of Harlequins on May 25 after the record 82,300 crowd watched Northampton Saints almost pull off a famous comeback victory at GAA HQ.

James Lowe scored a hat-trick and Leinster led 20-3 after 42 minutes but two Saints tries reduced the deficit to three points with four minutes remaining.

"It was an amazing occasion," said Cullen after the 20-17 victory. "The lead into this game has been exceptional.

"I think everyone was shocked in the best possible sense when the ticket sales started, it's remarkable really, and we're relieved that we got a win.

"Certainly they got 80 minutes of entertainment - it was probably a little bit too exciting at the end!

"The score goes to 20-3 early in the second half and it's human nature to sit on what you have, the struggle is can you kick on from it.

"But listen, we're delighted, and we give full thanks to everyone who came out to support us. We're relieved to get through, we're delighted to get through and just have to focus on improving our game and getting better for the final.

"The important thing is we got over the line and we managed to do that, thankfully, and hopefully we'll have a good crowd over in the Spurs stadium.

"We need to embrace it for the challenge it is - it's a different arena, a brilliant arena for us to be in and we'll bring the same mentality as we did today."

Skipper Doris and Jack Conan combined to produce a match-winning turnover in the dying moments as the Saints pushed for a winning score.

"In the context of the game, with them knocking on the door, we felt we had to do something. It's instinct, you don't have much time to think about it.

"It was pleasing to do enough in the last few minutes.

Reflecting on the occasion, the Mayo man added: "I think it was a level up, from doing that lap for the warm-up you could feel the energy coming from Hill 16 and it was a step up from the Aviva, it was a great atmosphere,

"We acknowledged there was a bit of a lull and they were having a purple patch, and some of that was down to us but they're at the top of the Premiership for a reason."

Saints captain Courtney Lawes said: "To get back on the horse and go back at them, to be able to do that as a team is great going forward.

"But we didn't really test them the way we wanted to, and you can't win at the highest level if you're doing that kind of stuff."

ShareCommentsOisin DohertyLeinster cling on to beat Northampton Saints and book their place in Champions Cup final

By Michael Scully

Hill 16 sang for the boys and the guys in blue but somehow Leinster were clinging on in the red before reaching their eighth Champions Cup final.

Back on the northside of Dublin and in Croke Park for the first time since the famous semi-final victory over Munster in 2009, this latest day will also go down in the annals of the province's storied history.

That game 15 years ago was marked by a dominant Leinster display and, with 43 minutes on the clock, a similar script was being written as Leo Cullen's side led 20-3.

James Lowe and fellow Irish Kiwi Jamison Gibson-Park were the stars of the province's attack, with Lowe scoring a hat-trick and Gibson-Park producing yet another man of the match display.

But it took defensive heroism in the end to get the Blues over the line as the Saints came marching back.

Crocked Ciarán Frawley made a crucial tackle to deny the visitors before sub Jack Conan won the vital turnover that effectively finished it.

Then Harry Byrne's kick to touch confirmed that the Blues are heading to London and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the final against Toulouse or Harlequins in three weeks' time.

Having won the first four of them but lost the last three, there is an understanding that there is still a big job to do after this.

After sitting out Leinster's last final victory in 2018, Lowe is on fire at the business end of this season.

The winger stunned the Saints with a two-try salvo in the 11th and 16th minutes, then crossed for his hat-trick just three minutes into the second half.

It was a score that sealed the outcome and, fittingly, it was the best of the three.

The first was a thing of beauty in itself as the ever-vigilant Gibson-Park took a quick five metre tap penalty and floated a pass to the left, over Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell and into Lowe's arms.

James Ramm couldn't stop his forward momentum and Lowe was over, with Ross Byrne nailing the conversion.

Gibson-Park was also vital to the making of Lowe's second, batting the loose ball wide to his colleague after Caelan Doris was held up but managed to get the pill free to his scrum-half.

Renowned for their broken field and counter attack, the Saints weren't given a sniff as their opponents' blitz defence left them dazed and confused - with Byrne almost in for an intercept try off Fin Smith's attempted pass.

Byrne made it 15-0 from in front of the posts as his forwards secured a scrum penalty in the 26th minute but, as half-time approached, a big turnover win by Courtney Lawes on Joe McCarthy shifted the momentum.

It was the hosts' turn to hold out as Ramm dropped a try-scoring opportunity but Smith finally got the Saints on the board with a 40th minute penalty.

As they did against La Rochelle, the Blues started the third quarter in devastating fashion.

Skipper Doris took off through a big gap in the Saints' midfield cover and Jordan Larmour almost sent Robbie Henshaw away on the right.

Leinster quickly recycled, Dan Sheehan superbly kept it alive and Frawley sent Lowe over.

It was his sixth try in as many games in Europe this season - and his fifth in the last two.

Byrne missed the conversion and Leinster failed to kick on. It was do or die for the Saints now and they responded.

Frawley did well to cover Juarno Augustus' kick-chase down the right flank but, on the stroke of the hour, the Saints had a lifeline in the shape of their first try.

George Hendy's difficult afternoon improved dramatically when his chip in hope wasn't dealt with by Larmour and the winger himself pounced.

Smith landed the tough conversion and suddenly the game was alive again.

Byrne's subsequent penalty attempt from the Saints' 10m line should have settled the Blues down.

But a bad miss gave the visitors more encouragement and, six minutes from time, replacement Tom Seabrook raced over with the Saints attacking off a five-metre scrum conceded by Gibson-Park.

Smith kept the pressure on with another superb conversion and there were only three points between the teams with four minutes to play.

Frawley, who had been injured before the try, played on and Leinster were lucky that he stayed in the fight as he prevented the Saints from breaking through down the right.

Conan's turnover was greeted by a deafening roar from the record 82,300 crowd and Leinster were safe. Just about.

ShareCommentsOisin DohertyLeinster v Northampton Saints player ratings from European Champions Cup semi-final at Croke Park

Ciaran Frawley - Very little to do in first-half as Leinster surged forward in waves but confident when needed. Alert, racing around to take the ball from Sheehan ahead of third try. 7

Jordan Larmour - May have taken a hefty knock in the opening stages but it was determined pressure to get across to Hendy that was part responsible for preventing a try just before half-time. 7

Robbie Henshaw - Power at second-centre, his they-shall-not-pass determination shut down Northampton's preferred attacking route time after time. 8

Jamie Osborne - Slowish first quarter before a powerful burst down the middle announced his presence. Partnership with Henshaw growing game by game. 7

James Lowe - Brilliant kick down the line, ran hard and fast at defenders every time, great work for opening try, 'flukey' second try, and on hand to make it hat-trick - some evening out! 9

Ross Byrne - Made doubly sure his first kick went well and it settled him in. Just didn't have the pace to set off following intercept that could have set him clear. 7

Jamison Gibson-Park - Was their two JGP's on the pitch, he was everywhere! Wonderful on the spot invention, superb pass, from quick tap penalty for Lowe's opening try. TV Man of the Match. 9

Andrew Porter - There are few loose-heads in the world with Porter's energy and it shows in that Leo Cullen leaves him on for almost entire games. Seven carries, four tackles. 8

Dan Sheehan - Pin-point throw for Baird was the catalyst for second try, timing of the pass in the tackle to Frawley was one of the keys for Lowe's third. Good darts too, six throws, six wins. 8

Tadhg Furlong - Leinster's scrum dominated, primary job accomplished. Big pitch, lots of running hardly ideal for tight-heads but chipped in with seven carries and three tackles.8

Ross Molony - The man in charge of the line-outs called them on the money, Leinster didn't lose any of their own throws in the first-half. 7

Joe McCarthy - Constantly looking for ball, often taken at speed and crash into an over defenders. Another great display for one of the coming stars of Irish rugby. 9

Ryan Baird - Superb line-out take ahead of second try but the burst of power, pace and carry deep into Saints territory just after the break was one of the day's great memories.9

Josh van der Flier - Determined outing, constantly looking for ball in attacking and not afraid to take into traffic. Wholehearted effort in defence too. 8

Caelan Doris - Easily Leinster's most proficient defender through the first hour part of a remarkable performance on both side of the ball. 8

Subs; Ronan Kelleher 7, Cian Healy n/a, Michael Ala'alatoa 6, Jason Jenkins 6, Jack Conan 6, Luke McGrath n/a, Harry Byrne n/a, Jimmy O'Brien n/a

ShareComments19:30Oisin DohertyLeinster will be in the final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in three week's timeShareComments19:29Oisin DohertyAlmost another infamous comeback in this fixture

It wasn't quite 2011, but it was damn close from Northampton!

ShareComments19:28Oisin DohertyThey did it the hard way, but Leinster get over the line ShareComments19:27Oisin DohertyHeroic stuff from Frawley at the death

Absolutely heroic stuff from Ciarán Frawley, who has an injured right leg but stayed in the fight as Leinster found themselves in massive trouble and came up with a big tackle when needed. The Saints went around their rivals' blitz right and left before Jack Conan produced a massive moment, a crucial turnover that gives the Blues a relieving penalty with less than a minute remaining.

- Michael Scully

ShareComments19:26KEY EVENTFT: Leinster 20-17 Northampton

Conan secures the ball at the front of the line-out. Harry Byrne kicks to touch and Leinster get out of jail BIG TIME!!!!!!

ShareComments19:25Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-17 Northampton

Byrne kicks to touch. 30 seconds left.

ShareComments19:24Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-17 Northampton

Saints turn it over and barrel up the pitch. Leinster all over the place and there's acres of space out wide. Northampton try to target the clearly injured Frawley, but the full-back stands up well with a monster of a tackle. Jack Conan I believe steals the ball on the deck. Just 40 seconds left for Leinster fans to endure.

'79

ShareComments19:21Oisin DohertyLeinster clinging on for dear life

Wow....we have a big finish in store in Croker. Tom Seabrook's try caps a big effort from the Saints to get back into this semi-final and, for the second time in succession, Fin Smith lands the difficult conversion. Three points in it and the record crowd's roar is deafening. Leinster need to show real character now.

- Michael Scully

ShareComments19:21Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-17 Northampton

Heroic fetch from Henshaw off a box kick.

'77

ShareComments19:19KEY EVENTTry! Leinster 20-17 Northampton

Tom Seabrook touches down after being found in acres of space. Leinster fans aren't happy as Reynal allowed Northampton to restart with a hurt Frawley on the deck. Smith nails the kick.

'76

ShareComments19:18Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-10 Northampton

Frawley rises to cut out a cross-kick to Ramm. We go back for the Saints penalty.

'74

ShareComments19:17Oisin DohertyCian Healy on for Leinster

Replacement Cian Healy makes European club rugby history, moving above Ronan O'Gara onto a record 111 Champions Cup appearances for Leinster. What a servant to the province and to Irish rugby.

- Michael Scully.

ShareComments19:16Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-10 Northampton

Gibson-Park forced to touch down behind his own goal. Northampton really applying pressure now.

ShareComments19:13Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-10 Northampton

82,300 the attendance today, a new record in the Champions Cup.

ShareComments19:13Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-10 Northampton

10 minutes left at Croke Park. Both sides kicking back and forth at the moment. Byrne eventually finds touch to bring an end to that.

ShareComments19:11Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-10 Northampton

Henshaw chases a Lowe kick and knocks on in the air. Scrum Saints to come just outside their own 22.

'68

ShareComments19:09Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-10 Northampton

It's all getting a little edgy inside GAA HQ now. A couple of minutes of aerial foot-tennis sees the tempo slow down and the tension ratchet up. All of a sudden, the Saints are looking sharp and are pouncing on Leinster errors.

'67

ShareComments19:06Oisin DohertyHuge 20 minutes now for Leinster after that Northampton try

After some big defensive wins from Leinster, Jordan Larmour couldn't deal with George Hendy's speculative kick and the winger - who has endured a difficult afternoon - pounced. Fin Smith's conversion made it a 10-point game. Ross Byrne's subsequent penalty attempt should have settled the Blues down with just under 20 minutes remaining, but a bad miss keeps things interesting.

- Michael Scully

ShareComments19:04Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-10 Northampton

Really poor kick from Byrne is skewed wide. Huge roar goes up around Croke Park as Andy Farrell is shown on the big screen.

'63

ShareComments19:03Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-10 Northampton

Penalty to Leinster as Gibson-Park is tackled off the ball. Byrne will go for the posts. He's just outside the 10-metre line.

ShareComments19:02Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-10 Northampton

Michael Ala'alatoa on for Furlong.

'60

ShareComments19:01KEY EVENTTry! Leinster 20-10 Northampton

Leinster lose their own lineout. Saints break and kick one high in behind. Larmour and Porter get in each other's way and Hendy breaks onto the loose ball and scores Northampton's first try. Great kick from Smith.

'59

ShareComments18:59Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-3 Northampton

The scrum falls apart on the blindside and Leinster get the penalty. Furlong congratulated by his teammates.

'58

ShareComments18:58Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-3 Northampton

Jenkins steals the lineout, but Saints hold Baird up under the posts and will have the put-in to the scrum.

'57

ShareComments18:57Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-3 Northampton

Lowe makes a mistake after a kick and Augustus charges down the line after a loose ball. Doris beats him in a race, but Frawley is put into touch five metres from his own line.

ShareComments18:55Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-3 Northampton

Saints sub:

Emmanuel Iyogun on for Alex Waller.

ShareComments18:54Oisin DohertyLeinster 20-3 Northampton

Great play again on the fringes from Leinster. Frawley just gets put into touch, but that was another dangerous moment.

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