"Saints stun Leinster" - 5 Biggest Champions Cup upsets of All Time

So, in order to get us all excited for the most exciting time in the rugby club calendar, let’s take a look at five of the biggest ever Champions Cup upsets…

We’re only having to go back to last season’s for this one, but Leinster were desperate to win that tournament, having lost three finals on the bounce at the hands of La Rochelle and Toulouse.

They were playing at the Aviva, inviting Northampton Saints into their own backyard, of which that particular Saints side were performing poorly in the Premiership. Leinster had also just nil-ed both Glasgow Warriors and Harlequins in their two knockout matches previously.

However, enter Tommy Freeman. The England winger put on a display, scoring a hat-trick on the day, as well as Henry Pollock increasing his stock, with an incredible solo run to dot his own try down, scooting round Sam Prendergast on his way.

The side that seemed unbeatable, and hadn’t conceded a single point in the knockout stages, were embarrassed at home as Northampton made their first European final since 2011. They unfortunately fell short to Bordeaux, who won their first ever Champions Cup.

It was hard to look past Toulouse for any side. Four-time winners at the time, top of the Top14 table; meanwhile, Edinburgh had only played in one quarter-final to that date: defeated by Toulouse in France back in 2004. It also didn’t help that they were second-bottom in the Pro12, only above Aironi, who disbanded following that campaign.

Even going down to 13 men couldn’t stop the Scottish side, as they stayed in this nervy affair, with Greig Laidlaw’s boot giving the hosts a huge advantage. His compliment of three penalty kicks, and even a drop goal, kept Edinburgh in front, toppling the heavyweights at Murrayfield.

Edinburgh would become the first ever Scottish semi-finalists of the competition, falling short against Ulster, as Ruan Pienaar broke Lothian hearts, putting over a 75th minute penalty to win by three points.

This isn’t Leinster’s first entry on the list, and (spoiler alert!) won’t be their last. Sorry, Leinster fans. If they weren’t so good, then we wouldn’t be talking about them…

Leinster were aiming for their fifth star on their jersey, whilst this was La Rochelle’s second final appearance, having lost to Toulouse the year prior. Leinster had just come off a serious semi-final victory, putting 40 points on last-year’s winners Toulouse, whilst La Rochelle had come away from a one-score affair against Racing 92.

Leinster were clinical from the boot, Johnny Sexton scoring six penalties from as many attempts, with Ross Byrne grabbing another once he had replaced him. However, La Rochelle scored points when it mattered, scoring three tries, including the 79th minute winner through replacement scrum-half Arthur Retière.

This was La Rochelle’s first-ever major trophy, doing it in some style. They partied round the streets of Marseille, whilst Leinster fans took in yet another one that got away. Leinster would make the next two finals, losing to La Rochelle again in the rematch the year after, and against Toulouse, who claimed their sixth star.

Finally, one where Leinster win! We have to go all the way back to 2009 to find an upset where they win…

Munster went into the fixture as reigning champions, whereas Leinster were attempting to make their first Heineken Cup final. The stage was set: Croke Park, in front of 82,208 fans, the red of Munster vs the blue of Leinster. This couldn’t have been a more perfectly poised fixture.

Felipe Contemponi opened the scoring with a drop goal, before a try by Gordon D’Arcy, two penalties from Ronan O’Gara and another from a baby-faced Johnny Sexton left the half-time score at 11-6 to Leinster.

From there, the floodgates opened for Leinster, Luke Fitzgerald got one after half time, and a spectacular score from Man-of-the-Match Brian O’Driscoll saw them defeat their bitter rivals for a chance at European glory, revenge for the 2006 semi-final defeat.

Leinster went onto win their first of four Champions Cup titles, and solidify themselves as one of the top European sides for decades to come.

Possibly the best thing is that the other semi-final that weekend saw Leicester Tigers beat Cardiff Blues on penalties! Possibly the greatest weekend of club rugby ever!

Only a couple of seasons ago, Harlequins made their name on the European stage, winning their first-ever knockout match in the Champions Cup, beating the Glasgow Warriors. Bordeaux had completely turned over Saracens 45-12 in their Round-of-16 fixture previously.

Bordeaux were hoping to go all the way, however the Quins had other plans. The 12-try thriller saw scores come in from everywhere, with Tyrone Green’s 71st minute score, as well as Marcus Smith’s conversion, surely to have won the game for the visitors.

However, Madosh Tambwe scored for Bordeaux with five minutes on the clock. Maxime Lucu had to score the conversion to put his side in front. But he didn’t. The ball slipped down the right side of the posts.

Harlequins held on for a historic victory, going on to play in their first ever Champions Cup semi-final. They would face Toulouse, where the French side ended their fairytale run 38-26.