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.
28 mins: Kearney breaks through the line! The Irish full-back beats three defenders and is stopped just short of the try line. With Saracens conceding a penalty at the ruck, Sexton decides to kick across field to Lowe, but the covering defence is there to prevent the Kiwi from breaking free.
29 mins: Garces calls for a TMO check and says he has "no idea" if Healy has grounded the ball after going for the line. After a number of replays, it's decided that the ball is not grounded but the penalty applies and to make matters worse, Itoje is going to the sin-bin for 10 minutes. As well as that, both Mako Vunipola and Titi Lamositele are BOTH forced off with injury, with Richard Barrington and Vincent Koch on in their place.
34 mins: With Saracens depleted, Tadhg Furlong takes full advantage and drivers over from close range to score the opening try of the match. Sexton adds the extras, and Leinster take full advantage of the Itoje sin-bin to take a 10-0 lead.
38 mins: Two big tackles from Lozowski and then Kruis get Saracens on the front foot and forces the turnover penalty, handing Farrell his first shot at goal.
39 mins: Farrell's kick sails through the posts and Sarcens are on the board! 10-3
40 mins: As Itoje trudges back onto the field, Saracens are restored to 15 and have done well to limit the damage to 7-3 while depleted.
40 mins: Tempers flare slightly as Ryan comes charging into the ruck when the penalty had been given against Leinster, but there's not much in it. It gives Saracens a late chance here, as Farrell kicks to touch inside the Leinster 22 with th clock into the red.
40 mins: How important will that be for Saracens? Having been down to 14 and stodd beneath their own sticks, the response has been emphatic and ensures that the two sides head for the tunnel level.
Saracens attempt to batter the door down, with George smarshing into the blue wall in front of him. It sucks in the Leinster defence, and means that the space is out wide for Farrell to show incredibly quick hands to put Sean Maitland in at the corner. The fly-half then expertly kicks the conversion, levelling up the scores.
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