Leinster Hold Off Toulon Comeback to Reach Ninth Champions Cup Final
Leinster are heading to Bilbao for their ninth Investec Champions Cup final after a nerve-shredding 29-25 victory over Toulon at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening. The Irish province led comfortably for much of the match, but a late French rally — two converted tries in the final ten minutes — reduced the deficit to four points and had 37,555 supporters holding their breath before the final whistle confirmed Leinster's place in the showpiece event on 23 May.Background
Leinster's relationship with the Champions Cup is one of the defining stories of European rugby. The province has won the competition four times — in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2018 — and has been a consistent presence in the latter stages of the tournament for the past two decades. Their dominance of Irish and European rugby has been built on a combination of exceptional player development, a strong coaching structure, and the ability to attract and retain world-class talent.
The 2025-26 season has been another strong one for Leinster, who topped their Champions Cup pool before navigating the knockout rounds with a combination of clinical finishing and defensive resilience. Their semi-final opponents, Toulon, are one of the great clubs of European rugby, having won the Champions Cup three times between 2013 and 2015. The French club has rebuilt significantly in recent years and arrived at the Aviva Stadium as genuine contenders.
The match was also significant for Ulster, who secured their own place in a European final — the Challenge Cup — on the same weekend, giving Irish rugby a remarkable double celebration. The Ulster result, combined with Leinster's victory, confirmed that Irish provincial rugby remains at the pinnacle of the European game.
Key Developments
Leinster took control of the match through tries from Jack Conan (13th minute), Josh van der Flier (33rd minute), Garry Ringrose (45th minute), and captain Caelan Doris (68th minute), with Harry Byrne contributing nine points through conversions and a penalty. The province's performance was complicated by two yellow cards in quick succession in the first half — Andrew Porter and Harry Byrne both spent time in the sin bin — but Leinster's defensive organisation held firm even when reduced to 13 men.
Toulon's comeback was led by tries from Baptiste Serin (70th minute) and Gaël Drean (76th minute), both converted by Melvyn Jaminet, which reduced the deficit to four points with four minutes remaining. The final minutes were tense, but Leinster held on to secure their place in the final. Andrew Porter was named Man of the Match for a performance of exceptional physicality and skill. Captain Caelan Doris acknowledged the difficulty of the occasion, expressing delight at reaching another final.
Leinster will face the winner of the semi-final between Bordeaux-Bègle and Bath in Bilbao on 23 May. Their last Champions Cup triumph was in 2018, and the squad will be acutely aware that this may be their best opportunity to add a fifth title.
Why It Matters
Leinster's continued presence in Champions Cup finals is a testament to the strength of Irish rugby at provincial level, but it also raises important questions about the sustainability of the current model. The province's dominance — they have now reached nine finals in the competition's history — has been a source of both pride and frustration within Irish rugby, with concerns that the concentration of resources and talent in Leinster is coming at the expense of the other provinces. Ulster's Challenge Cup final appearance is a welcome counterpoint to this narrative, suggesting that the gap between Leinster and the other Irish provinces may be narrowing.
For European rugby as a whole, the prospect of an all-Irish final — had Ulster been in the Champions Cup — would have been extraordinary. As it stands, Leinster's final against either Bordeaux or Bath will be a significant occasion for the sport. Unlike the Six Nations, which generates enormous public interest across the island of Ireland, the Champions Cup final is a club event, but it commands a substantial television audience and significant commercial interest.
Local Impact
The reaction to Leinster's victory across Ireland has been one of enormous pride, tempered by the knowledge that the final in Bilbao will require a significant travel commitment for supporters. Thousands of Irish fans are expected to make the journey to the Basque Country for the 23 May final, with flights from Dublin and Belfast already selling out. In Belfast, Ulster's Challenge Cup final appearance has generated its own excitement, with supporters planning travel to the final venue. RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland will both broadcast the Champions Cup final live, ensuring that fans across the island can follow the action.
What's Next
The Investec Champions Cup final takes place in Bilbao on 23 May. Leinster will face the winner of the Bordeaux-Bègle versus Bath semi-final, which takes place on 3 May. Ulster's Challenge Cup final date and venue will be confirmed in the coming days. The United Rugby Championship season continues in parallel, with Leinster and Ulster both in contention for the title. Ireland's summer tour schedule will be announced by the IRFU in the coming weeks.
Sources: RTÉ Sport | The Guardian
