Rugby News - Leinster stage the great comeback to win the Heineken Cup
Last updated 5/30/2011 12:58:47 PM
Rugby News - Leinster stage the great comeback to win the Heineken Cup
Irish rugby heroes Leinster staged one of rugby's great comebacks at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium when they lifted the Heineken Cup after looking down and out against Northampton.
Leinster were looking crushed and beaten when the Saints went in at the break 22-6 ahead having run in three tries despite playing the last ten minutes with 14 men.
But Leinster came storming back and were crowned European champions for the second time in three years as the 2009 champions launched a devastating blitz of 27 unanswered points inside 26 minutes.
Jonathan Sexton went over for two tries and added 18 points with his boot for a 28-point personal haul and the man-of-the-match award as Leinster brought the elite band of clubs who have won the Heineken Cup twice or more up to five.
The Dublin-based team join provincial rivals Munster, English duo Leicester and Wasps, and Toulouse, who are out on their own with four titles.
But Leinster, who could complete a European and domestic double with a Magners League final against Munster next Saturday, look well placed to add to their collection after this stunning triumph.
Yet they looked second best in the first half as they were overpowered at the scrum, dominated at the breakdown, and looked flimsy in defence.
But after Sexton's first try within four minutes of the resumption, they never looked back.
Saints, perhaps feeling the effects of last weekend's punishing Premiership semi-final defeat by Leicester, were outmanoeuvred in a dramatic transformation and faded badly, seemingly powerless against the swarming blue tide.