In Newcastle, the Saracens won (20-10), two tries to one, against the Irish province of Leinster, the 2018 champion. In front of nearly 52,000 spectators, the English team won the trophy for the third time in four years after 2016 and 2017!
| Heineken Champions Cup final |
|---|
| Leinster (10) 10 |
| Try: Furlong Con: Sexton Pen: Sexton |
| Saracens (10) 20 |
| Tries: Maitland, Vunipola Cons: Farrell 2 Pens: Farrell 2 |
The Sarries suffered the domination of Leinster in the first half. Everything was going according to the plan for the Irish team. Logically, Leinster scored first with John Sexton (3′). Despite the fact that two best attacks of the tournament were on the pitch, it was a defensive game where a real fight took place. Tadgh Furlong scored the first try of the game (33′). This try was transformed by Sexton (33′) and the lead for Leinster was by now 10-0. The English finally reacted after a first penalty from Owen Farrell (39′), Maitland (40′) scores a try after a very long phase of possession and pick-and-go. Farrell was wrapping the first half with the transformation for the Saracens. At the half-time, the Saracens came back from 0-10 to 10*10. Despite Leinster playing very good rugby here in Newcastle, they had to do everything to lead again. This will never happen.
After the break, the Leinster kept control of the ball but the English defense stand still even when Leinster was pushing really hard to score a try. Farrel (60′) scores another penalty following a yellow card received by Scott Fardy. The Saracens finally broke the lock in the second half by scoring a second try through Billy Vunipola (67′). Farrell (67′) finished the second half like he finished the first one with a penalty that will 10 points lead to the Saracens. In less than 30 minutes, the Leinster took a sharp 20-0. After an exceptional European campaign during which they finished undefeated, the Saracens returned to the top of Europe and took revenge against a team that had swept them away in the quarter-finals last year (30-19)
Man of the game: Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Vunipola has constantly put his team in the lead. Defensively, he made an incredible performance, tackling with his arms and intercepting a number of balls.
Best European Player of the Year: Alex Goode (Saracens)
In addition to the title, the international English player received the Anthony Foley trophy for the best European player of the season on the Saint-James Park pitch. Goode played all the matches of the competition and was the cornerstone of the Saracens.
