2024 European Rugby Champions Cup final

The 2024 European Rugby Champions Cup final was the final match of the 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup, and the 29th European club rugby final in general. It was contested by Leinster and Toulouse, the two most decorated clubs in the competition's history.

2024 European Rugby Champions Cup final
The match took place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Event2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup
Leinster Toulouse
22 31
After extra time
Date25 May 2024
VenueTottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Player of the MatchAntoine Dupont (Toulouse)
RefereeMatthew Carley (England)
Attendance61,531

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the host venue of the final, becoming the second stadium in London to host the final after Twickenham Stadium.[1]

The final was won by Toulouse, who beat Leinster 31–22 after extra-time.[2][3][4]

Background

For the first time, the competition's two most decorated clubs met in a Champions Cup final.[5] Toulouse had previously won 5 times (1996, 2003, 2005, 2010 and 2021), while Leinster have previously won 4 times in (2009, 2011, 2012 and 2018).[6]

Both finalists appeared in the final for the eighth time. Toulouse's most recent appearance had been their triumph in 2021, while Leinster were the defeated finalists in both previous editions (2022, 2023) and would appear in their fifth final in the last seven editions (missing only 2020 and 2021).[7]

The two teams had met 14 times previously, with Leinster winning 8 and Toulouse winning 6. In knockout games, Leinster had held a 5–1 advantage, with Leinster eliminating Toulouse at the semi-final stage in each of the previous two editions.

Both teams entered the final in similar form, with both teams having won every game in their European campaign. They both topped their respective pool, with Toulouse gaining a maximum of 20 points and Leinster gaining 19. They both received home advantage through the knock-out stage, before gaining home country advantage in the semi-final to see them through to the final.

Route to the final
Further information: 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup

Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).

Leinster Round Toulouse
Opponent Result Pool stage Opponent Result
La Rochelle 16–9 (A) Round 1 Cardiff 52–7 (H)
Sale Sharks 37–27 (H) Round 2 Harlequins 47–19 (A)
Stade Français 43–7 (H) Round 3 Ulster 48–24 (A)
Leicester Tigers 27–10 (A) Round 4 Bath 31–19 (H)
Final standings
Pool D Top 4
Team P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
Leinster 440012353+701753019
Stormers 430110299+312122014
La Rochelle 420211173+381392212
Leicester Tigers 420284122–381016109
Pool B Top 4
Team P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
Toulouse 440017869+10926104020
Harlequins 4301151109+4222163015
Bath 4301124102+2218143015
Racing 92 4103116117–11716228
Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result
Leicester Tigers 26–22 (H) Round of 16 Racing 92 31–7 (H)
La Rochelle 40–13 (H) Quarter-finals Exeter Chiefs 64–26 (H)
Northampton Saints 20–17 (H) Semi-finals Harlequins 38–26 (H)

Match


Details
25 May 2024
14:45 BST (UTC+01)
Leinster 22–31 (a.e.t.) Toulouse
Try: Van der Flier 90+3'
Con: Frawley 90+7'
Pen: Byrne (4) 18', 43', 46', 65'
Frawley 77'		ReportTry: Lebel 82'
Con: Ramos 84'
Pen: Kinghorn (4) 4', 7', 36', 57'
Ramos (4) 70', 88', 92', 95'
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Attendance: 61,531
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Leinster
Toulouse
FB15 Hugo Keenan
RW14 Jordan Larmour
OC13 Robbie Henshaw
IC12 Jamie Osborne
LW11 James Lowe
FH10 Ross Byrne 70'
SH9 Jamison Gibson-Park
N88 Caelan Doris (c)
OF7 Will Connors 45'
BF6 Ryan Baird 60'
RL5 Jason Jenkins 41'
LL4 Joe McCarthy
TP3 Tadhg Furlong 70'
HK2 Dan Sheehan 69'
LP1 Andrew Porter 89' 92' 94'
Substitutions:
HK16 Rónan Kelleher 69'
PR17 Cian Healy 89' 92' to 94'
PR18 Michael Alaalatoa 70'
LK19 James Ryan 41'
FL20 Jack Conan 60'
SH21 Luke McGrath
CE22 Ciarán Frawley 70'
FL23 Josh van der Flier 45'
Coach:
Leo Cullen
FB15 Blair Kinghorn
RW14 Juan Cruz Mallía 92'
OC13 Paul Costes 58'
IC12 Pita Ahki 23'
LW11 Matthis Lebel
FH10 Romain Ntamack
SH9 Antoine Dupont (c)
N88 Alexandre Roumat
OF7 Francois Cros 69' 91'
BF6 Jack Willis
RL5 Emmanuel Meafou 55' 81' 91'
LL4 Thibaud Flament
TP3 Dorian Aldegheri 55'
HK2 Peato Mauvaka 55' 97'
LP1 Cyril Baille 58'
Substitutions:
HK16 Julien Marchand 55' 97'
PR17 Rodrigue Neti 58'
PR18 Joel Merkler 55'
LK19 Richie Arnold 55'
FL20 Joshua Brennan 69' 81'
SH21 Paul Graou 92'
CE22 Santiago Chocobares 23'
FB23 Thomas Ramos 58'
Coach:
Ugo Mola

Player of the Match:
Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)

Assistant referees:
Karl Dickson (England)
Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Television match official:
Ian Tempest (England)

References
  1. "Leinster v Toulouse: What time, what channel and all you need to know". Irish Independent. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. "Toulouse edge Leinster in Champions Cup final thriller". BBC Sport. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  3. "Third time unlucky for Leinster as Toulouse win European Champions Cup". Guardian. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  4. "Leinster lose out once again as Toulouse win sixth Champions Cup". RTE Sport. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  5. Glennon, Michael (25 May 2024). "Preview: Stars war in store in Leinster's latest shot at regaining Champions Cup". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  6. "Leinster warned to fear 'alien' Dupont as Toulouse seek sixth Champions Cup". The Guardian. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  7. "INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL: CLASH OF THE TITANS AS LEINSTER RUGBY MEET STADE TOULOUSAIN". epcrugby.com. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
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