2023 Leinster Rugby vs Stade Rochelais - Heineken Champions Cup Final

Leinster Rugby Leads Heineken Champions Cup Final After Frenetic First Half

Leinster Rugby Leads Heineken Champions Cup Final After Frenetic First Half

Leinster Rugby lead La Rochelle 23 - 14 at half time in the 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

May 20, 2023 by Philip Bendon
Dan Sheehan Scores His Second Try

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Leinster Rugby came out swinging in the final of this season’s Heineken Champion Cup, scoring the first try inside a minute. 

Hooker Dan Sheehan would receive a beautiful inside pass from number eight Jack Conan to go in the right corner to get his side off to a dream start. 

Four minutes later, Leinster would once again go over in the corner, this time, it would be winger Jimmy O’Brien who was on the end of some brilliant interplay. 

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O’Brien’s try came about courtesy of a truly world-class 50/22 kick from his fellow winger James Lowe whose kick bounced just inside the corner flag to set up a close-range line-out. 

Leo Cullen’s side wasn’t done there as Sheehan crossed for his second to push the Dubliners out to a 17 – 0 lead. 

La Rochelle showed their championship mettle as they stopped the bleeding with a powerful try from influential centre Jonathan Danty who steamrolled the Leinster defence. 

Danty’s score brought the contest back to 17 – 7, but ill-discipline from La Rochelle allowed Ross Byrne to knock over two quick-fire penalties to extend their lead to 23 – 7. 

Ronan O’Gara’s side would have the final say in the half as centre UJ Seuteni got the visitor’s second try to close out the half at 23 – 14.