Toulouse 26-16 Leinster
Leinster surrendered their Heineken Cup crown after a ten point defeat to Toulouse this afternoon.
Two tries in a five minute period in the second half made the difference for the French side, who were never behind throughout the eighty minutes.
Toulouse dominated up front in a very tight first half, forcing Michael Cheika to remove Cian Healy after only half an hour. David Skrela kicked three penalties in the first half to help the home side into a 9-6 half time lead, with Shaun Berne replying with two penalties for Leinster on a day when the out half had a 100% record from place kicks.
Eoin Reddan was agonisingly close to a first half try for Leinster, but let the greasy ball slip from his grasp only inches from the line.
Rob Kearney put Leinster level with a long range penalty early in the second half before two quickfire tries from Jauzion and Skrela put Toulouse in the driving seat with twenty minutes left. Jamie Heaslip touched down in the left corner to put Leinster right back in it with ten minutes on the clock, but another penalty from Skrela gave Toulouse a ten point cushion, which they protected with little difficulty in the closing stages.
A valiant effort from Leinster to defend their European title, but Toulouse were worthy winners in the end and will face the winners of tomorrow’s semi final between Biarritz and Munster in the final in Paris on May 22.
