Champions Cup final LIVE: Saracens regain title with 20-10 victory over dethroned champions
Follow the latest updates from the Heineken Champions Cup final
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Your support makes all the difference.Re-live the latest updates live from the Heineken Champions Cup final between Saracens and Leinster at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.
Saracens became the first English side to be crowned three-time champions of Europe with an emphatic victory that leaves little doubt over who the best side in Europe is, outclassing Leinster and outscoring them after fighting back from 10 points behind.
A try from Tadhg Furlong put Leinster ahead in the first half, but the teams went in at the break level as Sean Maitland replied for Saracens on the stroke of half-time. Owen Farrell then kicked Saracens ahead before Billy Vunipola added a second try for the Premiership side. Re-live the live action below.
What time does it start?
The Champions Cup final begins at 5pm on Saturday 11 May.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 4pm, and Channel 4 from 4.30pm.
Teams
Saracens: Goode; Maitland, Lozowski, Barritt, Williams; Farrell, Spencer; Mako Vunipola, George, Lamositele; Skelton, Kruis; Itoje, Wray, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Gray, Barrington, Koch, Isiekwe, Burger, Wigglesworth, Tompkins, Strettle.
Leinster: Kearney; Larmour, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton, Luke McGrath; Healy, Cronin, Furlong; Toner, Ryan; Fardy, O’Brien, Conan.
Replacements: Tracy, Jack McGrath, Bent, Ruddock, Deegan, O’Sullivan, Byrne, O’Loughlin.
6 mins: Cronin and Conan catch Saracens out at a ruck with a powerful counter-drive that shoves them off the ball and creates the turnover, only for referee Jerome Garces to award Saracens the penalty that relieves the pressure inside their own 22.
9 mins: Saracens get their first real chance to attack and quickly work the ball into the hands of the dangerous Liam WIlliams, but despite a little bit of space emerging on the right he's quickly shoved towards touch and drops the ball in the process.
11 mins: Saracens come again and Lozowski features heavily, making a line break before a second run decieves Henshaw as he breaks past on his inside shoulder. Henshaw does well to recover though and strips the ball in the next tackle, only for a Ringrose knock-on to give Saracencs possession with the scrum put-in.
13 mins: McGrath manages to dislodge the ball out of Goode's hands and Larmour can counter, brushing off an attempted tackle from Billy Vunipola and breaking up field. However, the eye-catching break is judged to have gone forwards, and Saracens breathe a sigh of relief.
17 mins: Saracens get a penalty advantage for the scrum collapsing and Saracens decide to play on, making good ground towards the Leinster 22. However, the ball is dislodged from the hands of Williams and he elects to hack it on, allowing the Wales wing to tackle Kearney deep on his own line. Sarcens attempt to force the turnover but Leinster kick the ball into touch, handing Sarries possession and territory with the lineout inside the 22.
20 mins: Saracens go on the attack and make quick progress, but assistant referee Romain Poite has his flag up and has spotted Barritt charging into a ruck with his shoulder making contact with flanker Scott Fardy, handing Leinster an easy out.
23 mins: Leinster put together some nice phases that sees Ringrose put Cronin away on his inside shoulder, but the Saracens defence regroups well and holds firm on their 10m line. 19 phases later, Billy Vunipola spots his chance and goes in for the turnover, popping out of the ruck with the ball and giving Saracens possession.
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