Tuesday 14 May 2019 14:58, UK
As Saracens claimed a third European Champions Cup in four years, we assess the performers at St James' Park.
The Saracens dynasty continues to get better after they overcame a 10-point deficit inside the opening 30 minutes to storm back to a 20-10 victory to be crowned European champions for a third time in four years.
A brutal contest in front of a 52,000 crowd ended with Saracens becoming the most successful English club in European Cup history.
They did it the hard way, with Sean Maitland and number eight Billy Vunipola wiping out Tadhg Furlong's first-half touchdown, as we assess the performers at St James' Park.
Alex Goode - 8
An outstanding campaign for Saracens, and he continued his sublime form with a wonderful piece of skill to present Maitland with his levelling score.
Deservedly named EPCR European Player of the Year after another vibrant display after Saracens had not been at the races in the first 30 minutes.
Sean Maitland - 7
Saracens made 30 yards with Leinster off their feet but Spencer's ball into Maitland was knocked on after 24 minutes TO underline how despite all the attacking intent, the defences were on top.
The Scotland wing knew exactly where he needed to be to collect Farrell's no-look pass to score before the interval but was also fortunate to avoid a yellow for a high tackle on Kearney.
Alex Lozowski - 8
Produced a brilliant pass out wide to Williams as the Welshman was forced out of play to deny Saracens a first try.
Good straightening after a powerful run nearly led to another breakthrough moments later.
Spinning out of tackles throughout, grew more and more into the contest. Lovely change of lines, handling and making himself available as first receiver.
Brad Barritt - 9
Barritt was penalised for using his shoulder on Scott Fardy in a daft moment from the skipper, coming in from the side to clear the Leinster man. Unnecessarily gave Leinster field position on one occasion but then didn't put another foot wrong.
Barritt admitted it needed Itoje's yellow card to galvanise the team - and he led by example as he completed a remarkable 28 tackles, made 54 metres across 16 carries and was deservedly named man of the match.
Liam Williams - 8
Try-saving tackle on Ringrose as he showed exceptional wing play to deny his opponents as Leinster banged on the door at the start of the second half. Provided a constant outlet and was never far from being involved.
Owen Farrell - 8
This was a game for cool and calm decision makers, and Farrell thrived in the conditions. Brilliant hands allowed Maitland to go over right on the stroke of half-time.
His full array of skills were impossible to defend against as he held his nerve to level from the tee three minutes into added time before the interval.
Saracens' body language was up by this point and they took the momentum into the second half, with five more points ensuring the trophy headed to north London.
Ben Spencer - 7
Starting in his first final, slight hesitation was shown in a loss of communication between himself and Farrell, who had already anticipated the box kick after 15 minutes.
But it was his brilliant bullet pass to his team-mate which allowed Maitland to walk the ball over for his try before the break. Replaced by Richard Wigglesworth after 55 minutes as Mark McCall looked to experience.
Mako Vunipola - 6
With Itoje not on the hustle, Saracens were indebted to Vunipola for halting the elusive Jordan Larmour and very nearly gained the turnover.
But he cut a dejected figure with strapping on his hamstring from 30 minutes in without the chance to impact proceedings.
The England prop showed his leadership as the forwards surrounded him in the Saracens dressing room at half-time.
Jamie George - 7
Brutal hit on Rob Kearney acted as an early reducer but the collisions were thunderous all over the pitch. Had to make it with two Leinster men outside him on one occasion. Was denied a try of his own by McGrath but Saracens would eventually score in the corner.
Titi Lamositele - 6
Required medical treatment on his right ankle and was forced off within 30 minutes as Saracens lost both their props in a major blow to their hopes at a time when Itoje began his time in the sin bin. Cruelly denied making a bigger impact.
Will Skelton - 7
Skelton is turning into a bit of a folk hero having dropped the weight and the attitude. His individual hard work was rewarded as he showed why he has been backed to perform on the biggest of stages in Europe.
George Kruis - 8
Spent time to recover from the weight of Mako Vunipola landing on his right knee and required strapping to bring a pause to a breath-taking start. Brilliant work denied Cian Healy on one occasion.
Kruis clattered into Sexton at a time when Saracens needed a lift to win his side the penalty that got them on the board before Itoje's return. Kruis made 27 tackles in total during an enormous display.
Maro Itoje - 8
Spent 10 minutes in the bin after being offside twice in the lead up to Leinster's desperate efforts to find the line following Rob Kearney's fine break.
Culpable for not looking wide when he had men to his left as replacement Richard Barrington was denied and was lucky to avoid another card for a challenge on Lowe.
For all of Lozowski and Willliams' darting runs, it was Saracens' overall defensive unit that was the stand-out performer in truth, spearheaded by Itoje, with nine carries and 23 tackles made.
Jackson Wray - 7
Wray broke through over half way but was unable to link as he bundled into James Lowe, but it was his burst which led to Saracens being denied their second try through Barrington right on the line. Made another crucial turnover to ensure there would be no late revival.
Billy Vunipola - 9
After 19 phases of Leinster possession, it was Vunipola who ripped the ball back after an excellent defensive set at a crucial moment with Saracens on the back foot.
Not satisfied, Vunipola found a gap off the line out and gained 10 metres in another sharp demonstration of his qualities. Snuffed out the attack as he intercepted Sexton's pass, juggled and took it in.
Then - as it was in the semi-final - a big-game player provided a big-game moment. Picked the ball from the back of the scrum, took a shot to the head but that didn't stop him carrying and stretching out to make the difference.
Departed to a mixed reception with six minutes to go with ice immediately applied to his left shoulder.
Replacements: Richard Barrington (7), Vincent Koch (8), Nick Isiekwe (7), Joe Gray (6), Schalk Burger (6), Richard Wigglesworth (7).
Rob Kearney - 7
What a first-half burst from Kearney, cutting inside from the right after 28 minutes and stayed on his feet to drive Leinster to within five metres out for almost one of the great European Champions Cup final tries. Four minutes later, Leinster made their pressure tell.
Jordan Larmour - 6
Spirited kick and rush following a strong challenge by McGrath on Goode but he was unable to collect. Was put under constant pressure by the Saracens men, and didn't always pass with flying colours. Possibly at fault when flying out of the line in the build up to Maitland's try.
Garry Ringrose - 6
Sloppy knock-on presented Saracens with their first scrum 12 minutes in, but showed lovely hands in finding Rob Kearney during Leinster first deep foray into Saracens territory.
Poor decision-making on one surge into the Saracens 22 when the overlap summed up Leinster's day.
Robbie Henshaw - 7
Formed the platform to a suffocating Leinster defence before Saracens grew into the game through their renowned aggression and physicality. Gave his usual maximum in his side's bid to repel wave after wave of Saracens pressure.
James Lowe - 7
Hustled Williams brilliantly during one kick and chase through from their own 22 metres after 25 minutes. Showed good anticipation to identify Farrell's intentions with his first-half kicking.
Fine take above his head denied Spencer with one attempt to find touch. Tried valiantly to stop Vunipola for Saracens' second but will rue two missed tackles.
Johnny Sexton - 7
Settled the nerves with an opening kick after four minutes 40 metres out and produced another flawless kicking display.
Came within inches of a glorious interception as Spencer just found Farrell. Perfect kick into the corner after Itoje was penalised for his collision with Kearney to set Leinster on their way but it was like running into a brick wall as Farrell won the battle of the fly-halves.
Sexton ran more metres and made more passes than his opposite number, but he will rue not kicking more.
Luke McGrath - 6
Produced a vital tackle on Goode from an early Saracens scrum. Huge tackle on George but it proved in vain as Maitland was allowed to run following quick hands from Spencer, Goode and Farrell.
The more he tried, however, the more errors plagued his display, with one pass easily intercepted by Vunipola.
Cian Healy - 8
Held up just short as the men in blue searched for the opening try by the heroics of George Kruis. With the game at break-neck speed, Healy forced the crucial turnover on Kruis to get his own back.
Little more he could have done for his side with numerous carries and turnovers before he was replaced on the hour-mark.
Sean Cronin - 7
Flawless in the line-out on his throw, and Leinster were significantly weaker in this department without him. Departed after 51 minutes without adding to his tournament-high six tries.
A major injury doubt before the contest and had done minimal training during the week so did well to get as many minutes in the bank as he did before being replaced by James Tracy.
Tadhg Furlong - 7
After knocking and knocking at the Saracens door, it was the tighthead prop who got the congratulations as he helped Leinster take a grip on the final that would eventually slip away.
Showed great power and drive to stoop low and find the line and break Saracens' early resistance. With his old mate Mako Vunipola off the pitch, Furlong took full advantage.
Lost the ball to Kruis at a key moment as Leinster looked to re-establish their lead early in the second period but his influence faded before he was hooked with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Devin Toner - 6
Composed, confident start befitting of the champions but faded in the second period as Saracens turned the screw. The fewest carries and tackles of the four starting locks points to a need for heightened participation.
James Ryan - 8
Carried his side's hopes with 22 carries and was Leinster's most impressive performer. Initially dominated his battle with Itoje as the Saracens man was sin binned. It was his huge carry in the second period that got Leinster's tail up but it would ultimately result in a steal two phases later.
Scott Fardy - 6
Showed fine ingenuity to knock the ball up to himself before throwing it into Saracens hands in one frenzied moment in the second half before he was yellow carded for being offside as Saracens were denied a second try through Barrington.
His absence would prove costly and his two turnovers will be of little consolation.
Sean O'Brien - 6
Stayed on his feet in the face of a storm as Itoje sought to bring him down, evading Kruis in the same phase of play for good measure, but he failed to have an impact in the way he would have liked.
His carries didn't get his side far and his energy levels dropped with each passing involvement.
Jack Conan - 7
Forlornly tried to make things happen, and his work rate could not be faulted as he made 14 tackles in the first half alone.
Billy Vunipola will grab the headlines, but it was Conan with three minutes of the first-half remaining that looked primed to take the acclaim.
Replacements: James Tracy (6), Jack McGrath (6), Rhys Ruddock (n/a) Michael Bent (n/a), Max Deegan (n/a).
