In a gripping semifinal showdown at the legendary Croke Park, Leinster Rugby emerged victorious against a resilient Northampton Saints outfit, sealing Leinster's passage into the Investec Champions Cup final for the third consecutive year. 

The Irish giants secured a hard-fought 20-17 win over their English counterparts in front of a raucous crowd of 82,300, setting a new attendance record for the prestigious tournament. 

The match got off to an explosive start, with Leinster seizing control early amidst the electrifying atmosphere of Croke Park. 

Wing wizard James Lowe proved to be the standout performer of the day, notching a sensational hat trick to propel his team into what appeared to be an unassailable lead. 

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Lowe's first try came courtesy of a moment of brilliance from scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, who exploited a lapse in the Northampton defense to set up his teammate with a perfectly executed pass. 

The duo combined once again for Leinster's second try, capitalizing on a turnover near the Saints' try line to extend its lead. 

Fly-half Ross Byrne added crucial points from the boot, slotting a conversion and a penalty to further bolster Leinster's advantage. 

Despite a penalty from Northampton's Fin Smith ensuring they went into halftime with some points on the board, the English side found itself facing an uphill battle heading into the second half. 

However, Northampton Saints refused to go down without a fight, launching a stirring comeback bid in the second period. Wing George Hendy capitalized on defensive lapses to score a vital try for the visitors, narrowing the gap on the scoreboard. 

As the tension reached fever pitch in the closing stages of the game, Leinster Rugby found itself clinging to a slender lead. Northampton piled on the pressure, with replacement Tom Seabrook crossing the whitewash to set up a nail-biting finale. 

In a dramatic climax, Leinster's defense held firm in the face of relentless pressure from the Saints, securing a crucial turnover to ultimately seal Leinster's place in the final. 

James Lowe's heroic hat trick proved decisive, propelling Leinster Rugby one step closer to a record-equaling fifth Champions Cup title. 

With a date at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium beckoning on May 25, Leinster now will await the outcome of the other semifinal clash between Stade Toulousain and Harlequins, as they aim to etch their names into the annals of rugby history once more.

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The Investec Champions Cup will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:

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FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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