Champions Cup Final: Can Leinster end their European curse?

Tuesday, 19 May 2026 at 15:00

byTom Sansom

Leinster Rugby have the Investec Champions Cup in their sights, as the Dubliners travel out to Bilbao for this Saturday's Grand Final.

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Leo Cullen's side take on Bordeaux-Begles in the San Malmas Stadium, yet the defending title holders will not be quick to relinquish their crown.

Leinster have endured an arduous eight-year wait to get their hands back on the Champions Cup, having last lifted the title at the culmination of the 2017/18 season. Whilst the likes of Johnny Sexton and Cian Healy have since moved on from the province, the mission remains the same for the men in blue as they look to bring the trophy back to Dublin.

The last time Leinster lifted the Champions Cup was at the climax of the 2017/18 season, with a plethora of Ireland legends present for the narrow 15-12 win over Racing 92. Since then, the Dublin side have had four unsuccessful returns to the final showdown, and have been eliminated at the knock-out stage for the 2020, 2021 and 2025 tournaments.

So, will this be the year that sees the Champions Cup trophy return to Dublin? With a blockbuster finale against Bordeaux headlining this weekend's action, we've scanned back across the recent tournaments to run through the latest efforts of the men in blue. This makes for quite pleasant reading for Munster fans...

RE-WIND: LEINSTER'S RECENT CHAMPIONS CUP CAMPAIGNS

2019: SARACENS 20-10 LEINSTER - CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL

At Newcastle's iconic football haven St James’ Park, Leinster’s bid to retain their European crown was undone by a relentless Saracens comeback in a tense 20–10 defeat. Johnny Sexton’s early penalty and Tadhg Furlong’s close-range try had the Irish province 10–0 ahead, and for long periods they looked in control, dominating possession and territory.

However, Saracens weathered the first-half pressure despite losing both starting props and seeing Maro Itoje sin-binned. Sean Maitland’s try on the stroke of half-time shifted momentum, and Owen Farrell’s game management after the break proved decisive.

With Leinster unable to convert pressure into points, Saracens grew in confidence, edging ahead through Farrell’s boot before Billy Vunipola powered over to seal the win. The defeat marked another missed opportunity for Leinster in a final defined by small margins and second-half ruthlessness from the English side in a defining European rivalry once again at Leinster’s expense.

Leinster: Try – Tadhg Furlong; Conversions – Johnny Sexton; Penalties – Johnny Sexton

Saracens: Tries – Sean Maitland, Billy Vunipola; Conversions – Owen Farrell (2); Penalties – Owen Farrell (2)

2020: LEINSTER 17-25 SARACENS - CHAMPIONS CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Leinster’s long unbeaten 2019/20 campaign came to a crashing halt in Dublin as Saracens produced a clinical, streetwise performance to reach the Champions Cup semi-finals, winning 25–17 and repeating the previous final's heartbreak.

The visitors dominated the opening half, with Alex Goode pulling the strings at fly-half and scoring a try as Saracens raced into a 22–3 half-time lead through relentless set-piece pressure, sharp breakdown work and penalties from Elliot Daly. Leinster, disjointed and uncharacteristically error-prone, struggled to impose their tempo against Maro Itoje-led defensive line speed.

However, the Dublinersroared back after the break, with Andrew Porter crashing over and Jordan Larmour slicing through to reduce the deficit to five and set up a tense finale. Despite sustained pressure, Saracens held firm, and Goode’s late penalty ultimately sealed victory, ending Leinster’s 24-match unbeaten run and reaffirming Saracens’ status as European heavyweights.

Leinster: Tries: Porter, Larmour, Conversions: Sexton (2) Penalties: Sexton (1)

Saracens: Tries: Goode, Conversions: Goode (1) Penalties: Goode (4), Daly (2)

2021: LA ROCHELLE 32-23 LEINSTER - CHAMPIONS CUP SEMI-FINALS

La Rochelle ended Leinster’s bid for a fifth European title with a bruising, methodical 32–23 semi-final victory that showcased their evolution into one of the continent’s most complete sides. In a tightly contested opening, Leinster struck first through Tadhg Furlong, capitalising on early dominance and La Rochelle indiscipline, but the French side quickly settled into a controlled, territorial game built on Ihaia West’s kicking and relentless forward pressure.

West kept the scoreboard ticking with penalties and even a drop goal as La Rochelle edged ahead by one at half-time. Leinster briefly regained momentum after the break, but struggled to break through a disciplined defensive wall, with James Lowe’s yellow card adding further strain. As the match wore on, La Rochelle’s physical superiority told.

Gregory Alldritt powered over from close range before Will Skelton’s barnstorming finish sealed the result, sending Ronan O’Gara’s side into their first Champions Cup final and underlining Leinster’s latest European heartbreak despite Ross Byrne’s late try.

La Rochelle: - Tries: Gregory Alldritt, Will Skelton - Conversions: Ihaia West (2) - Penalties: Ihaia West (5) Drop goals: Ihaia West (1)

Leinster: - Tries: Tadhg Furlong, Ross Byrne - Conversions: Ross Byrne (2) - Penalties: Ross Byrne (3)

2022: LA ROCHELLE 24-21 LEINSTER - CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL

La Rochelle claimed their first-ever Champions Cup title in one of the most dramatic finals in recent memory, edging Leinster 24–21 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille thanks to Arthur Retiere’s 79th-minute winner. In a contest defined by tension, discipline, and relentless pressure, Leinster looked in control for long periods, with Johnny Sexton’s metronomic boot giving them a 12–7 half-time lead and then extending it further in the second half.

However, La Rochelle refused to fade, responding through Raymond Rhule’s brilliant early try and Pierre Bourgarit’s powerful maul score to stay within touching distance. Ihaia West kept the scoreboard alive with penalties and conversions, ensuring the French side remained in striking range despite Leinster’s territorial dominance and defensive resilience.

Even after Ross Byrne added another penalty, La Rochelle’s forward power and patience told. With the game entering its final minute, replacement scrum-half Arthur Retiere stretched over the line to complete a famous comeback and seal a historic first European crown for Ronan O’Gara’s side, breaking Leinster hearts once again at the final hurdle.

Leinster: - Penalties: Johnny Sexton (6), Ross Byrne (1)

La Rochelle: Tries: Raymond Rhule, Pierre Bourgarit, Arthur Retiere - Conversions: Ihaia West (3) - Penalties: Ihaia West (1)

2023: LEINSTER 26-27 LA ROCHELLE - CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL

La Rochelle completed a historic Champions Cup three-peat over Leinster with a dramatic 27–26 victory in Dublin, staging the greatest comeback in a final in the competition’s history. Leinster exploded out of the blocks in front of a raucous Aviva Stadium, scoring three tries inside 12 minutes through Dan Sheehan twice and Jimmy O’Brien to race into a 17–0 lead.

Ross Byrne’s control from the tee stretched that advantage further, and for a spell it looked like the Irish province might finally exorcise their recent final demons. However, La Rochelle refused to fold. Jonathan Danty’s powerful line-breaking score sparked belief, before Ulupano Seuteni’s well-timed finish cut the gap further and brought the defending champions back into contention.

After the break, Antoine Hastoy’s game management and penalty kicking gradually tilted momentum, and when Georges-Henri Colombe powered over late on, La Rochelle had completed a stunning turnaround. Despite Leinster’s late pressure, discipline issues and a late red card proved costly as Ronan O’Gara’s side sealed another famous European triumph.

Leinster: - Tries: Dan Sheehan (2), Jimmy O’Brien - Penalties: Ross Byrne (3)

La Rochelle: - Tries: Jonathan Danty, Ulupano Seuteni, Georges-Henri Colombe - Conversions: Antoine Hastoy (3) - Penalties: Antoine Hastoy (2)

2024: STADE TOULOUSAIN 31-22 LEINSTER - CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL

Leinster’s pursuit of a fifth Champions Cup crown ended in agonising fashion once again as Toulouse edged a brutal, absorbing final 31–22 after extra time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In a match defined by defensive intensity and fine margins, Leinster relied heavily on Ross Byrne’s boot to edge a tight first half, while Josh van der Flier’s try kept them level after Toulouse’s early penalty exchanges through Blair Kinghorn.

The game remained locked at 15–15 after 80 minutes, with Ciaran Frawley narrowly missing a late drop goal that would have sealed European glory for the Irish province. Extra time, however, belonged to Toulouse. Matthis Lebel struck first to swing momentum, before Richie Arnold’s red card briefly gave Leinster hope, with Van der Flier responding to level the contest again.

But the composure of Thomas Ramos proved decisive, as the French full-back calmly slotted three extra-time penalties to secure Toulouse’s sixth European title and deny Leinster yet again, extending their run of final heartbreaks in the competition.

Leinster: - Try: Josh van der Flier Penalties: Ross Byrne (4)

Toulouse: Try: Matthis Lebel - Penalties: Blair Kinghorn (4), Thomas Ramos (4)

2025: LEINSTER 34-37 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS - CHAMPIONS CUP SEMI-FINAL

Northampton Saints produced one of the great Champions Cup shocks in Dublin, edging Leinster 37–34 in a breathtaking semi-final that featured ten tries, three yellow cards, and a finish defined by chaos and resilience. Leinster, heavy favourites and dominant throughout the tournament, began in control with early scores from Tommy O’Brien and Josh van der Flier, while Caelan Doris and James Lowe added further firepower in a thrilling attacking display.

Sam Prendergast’s accurate kicking kept the scoreboard moving as the hosts built pressure, but Northampton’s response was ruthless. Tommy Freeman delivered a sensational hat-trick, exploiting space with clinical finishing, while Henry Pollock and James Ramm added crucial scores to swing momentum before half-time, as the England youngster debuted his iconic 'check the pulse' celebration in Dublin.

Fin Smith’s control from the tee and in open play helped Saints establish a 27–15 lead at the break. Leinster fought back through Van der Flier’s second try and Doris’ powerful finish, narrowing the gap to just three late on, but Northampton produced a defining defensive stand in the final minute to complete a famous victory and once again bring an end Leinster’s title hopes.

Leinster: - Tries: Tommy O’Brien, Josh van der Flier (2), Caelan Doris, James Lowe - Conversions: Sam Prendergast (3) - Penalties: Sam Prendergast (1)

Northampton Saints: - Tries: Tommy Freeman (3), Henry Pollock, James Ramm - Conversions: Fin Smith (3) Penalties: Fin Smith (2)