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As it happenedended

Leinster vs Saracens LIVE: European Champions Cup reign ends as Sarries are beaten in quarter-finals

Follow the latest from the European Champions Cup quarter-final in Dublin

Jack de Menezes
Aviva Stadium
Sunday 01 April 2018 06:13 EDT
Comments
Leinster take on Saracens at the Aviva Stadium for a place in the Champions Cup semi-finals
Leinster take on Saracens at the Aviva Stadium for a place in the Champions Cup semi-finals (Getty)

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Saracens put their European crown on the line on Sunday when they take on Champions Cup favourites Leinster at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, but will have to do so without a number of the players who helped them to the title last season.

Owen Farrell has been declared fit to start after recovering from a thigh strain, but Saracens are without influential back-row players in Billy Vunipola and Michael Rhodes, and well as Australian heavyweight lock Will Skelton.

Leinster meanwhile are able to recall all of their Six Nations Grand Slam winners that were given the week off last weekend, with the likes of Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose all returning two weeks after their Twickenham triumph over England.

Follow the live action below...


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What time does it start?

Leinster vs Saracens kicks off at 15:30 on Sunday 1 April.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 15:00.

Teams

Leinster: Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Isa Nacewa (c), James Lowe; Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong; Devin Toner, James Ryan, Scott Fardy, Dan Leavy, Jordi Murphy.

Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Rhys Ruddock, Max Deegan, Nick McCarthy, Joey Carbery, Rory O'Loughlin.

Saracens: Alex Goode; Liam Williams, Marcelo Bosch, Brad Barritt (c), Sean Maitland; Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Juan Figallo; Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Nick Isiekwe, Schalk Burger, Jackson Wray.

Replacements: Schalk Brits, Richard Barrington, Titi Lamositele, Dominic Day, Blair Cowan, Ben Spencer, Alex Lozowski, Chris Wyles.

21 mins: As silence surrounds the Aviva, Sexton's effort sails through the posts to extend the lead.

Leinster 10-6 Saracens

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 15:54

Jackson Wray has been one of Saracens' more impressive carriers so far 

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 15:58

25 mins: Saracens again enjoy a large chunk of possession but they are not enjoying the type of success that you come to expect from their games in the Premiership. Itoje takes the ball into contact just outside the Leinster 22, and although Murphy steals it he's off his feet and concedes the penalty. Farrell to go for goal once more.

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 15:59

27 mins: Farrell's effort is good and reduces the lead back to a point.

Leinster 10-9 Saracens

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 16:00

28 mins: Sexton is down again, this time a late hit from Wigglesworth, and Garces awards the penalty but decides not to review it. the fly-half brushes himself down and kicks to touch 30m out.

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 16:03

29 mins: Leinster get a good driving maul going that rolls into the 22, and Saracens are penalised for coming in at the side to hand them another penalty. Sexton goes to touch 15m out.

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 16:04

30 mins: This time it's much better defence from the visitors and they bring the maul down legally, preventing the ball from emerging and winning possession. An important moment that.

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 16:05

32 mins: Leinster turn the ball over! They make a mess of the Saracens scrum, win possession and are on the attack! There's men out wide but an important tackle by Bosch on McFadden prevents Sexton from utilising the overlap, and Saracens are happy to concede the penalty for holding on. Sexton goes for goal.

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 16:08

34 mins: Sexton kicks the penalty from right in front of the posts!

Leinster 13-9 Saracens

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 16:09

35 mins: Well, this is a surprise. We're restarting with a penalty, and Johnny Sexton looks to be the culprit as he's pointed out by Garces - back chat maybe?

With Marcelo Bosch in the side, this is well in range from halfway, and he nails it with plenty left on the kick!

Leinster 13-12 Saracens

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 16:11

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