Leinster sensationally claimed the Heineken Cup following a stunning second-half fight-back against Northampton Saints at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. After trailing 22-6 at half time, the Irish province stormed back to emerge victorious by 33 points to 22 in the Welsh capital.
With over 72,000 people packed into the stadium under a closed roof, the 2011 Heineken Cup Final kicked-off with a crackling atmosphere being created by both sets of supporters. Leinster had been expected to win the game comfortably but it was Northampton who came charging out of the blocks and drew first blood. Driving Leinster back in the scrum, the ball was swept out to second row Callum Clark who in turn found Phil Dowson and he crashed over to hand the underdogs their dream start. Stephen Myler backed up Dowson's score with the conversion and the electric atmosphere was matched by an equally good Saints start. Leinster 0-7 Northampton
Northampton had made a fantastic start but were caught out when charging up field at the Leinster defence. Saints number eight Roger Wilson broke away and made good ground but with no support, he was penalised for not releasing the ball and Leinster had the penalty. Jonathan Sexton had been billed as the big-game player and he started confidently, successfully converting the penalty from the halfway line. Leinster 3-7 Northampton
Not to be overawed by the favourites, Northampton's front three of Tonga'uiha, Hartley and Mujati were dominating in the scrum. On the 20 minute mark, they pushed the Leinster scrum back easily and left referee Romain Poite with no choice but to award the penalty. Myler's kick from inside his own half was successful and the Saints had a seven-point lead again. Leinster 3-10 Northampton
Brian Mujati was then shown a yellow card for a professional foul directly in front of the referee but that was not to stop the rolling Northampton juggernaut. The strength of Courtney Lawes crashed through the Leinster defence and when the ball came out of the scrum, Jon Clarke managed to find Ben Foden who went round Brian O'Driscoll to score. Myler again converted well and the Saints fans in the crowd were in dreamland. Leinster 3-17 Northampton. Soon after though, a high tackle on Gordon D'Arcy left Sexton with another shot at goal and he was never going to miss and the gap was reduced to eleven points. Leinster 6-17 Northampton
Just before half-time, it was to get even better for the Saints who were battering Leinster all over the Millennium Stadium pitch. Clarke and Chris Ashton were both held at bay by a struggling defence but at the third attempt Dylan Hartley powered over and after referee Poite had consulted the video ref, a third Northampton try was awarded. Myler was unlucky to see his conversion hit the post but Northampton seemed to be in complete control at the break. Leinster 6-22 Northampton
However, after some choice words in the dressing room at half-time, Leinster returned a different side. The side that had been dominated in the first half disappeared, to be replaced by a resurgent and exciting team that the Leinster fans are used to. After O'Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip were held up, Eoin Reddan sent Sexton over to begin the Irish fight-back. The number ten's conversion also hit the post but unlike Myler, this kick went over. Leinster 13-22 Northampton
It was now the Irish province who were unstoppable and on 53 minutes they scored their second try to bring the deficit down to two points. Wave after wave of Leinster attacks came and Northampton could only hold so many and Sexton crossed the line again to close the gap. The talented young fly-half converted his own score for the second time and it was game on in Cardiff. Leinster 20-22 Northampton
The roles had been reversed and in the second half, it was Leinster's scrum that was easily pushing Northampton's back and they soon had a penalty from the French referee after demolishing the Saints pack. Sexton was never going to be off-target and Leinster had remarkably turned a 17 point half-time deficit into a second half lead. Leinster 23-22 Northampton. More desperate defence from Northampton ended with Dowson becoming the second Northampton player to be sent to the sin-bin and from the resultant penalty, Sexton put clear daylight between the two finalists. Leinster 26-23 Northampton
Towards the end of the final, an exhausted Northampton were no match for the power of Leinster and the Irish province finally sealed the game with seven minutes to go. Front rows Strauss and Hines scythed through the Saints defence and the latter went over the line to finish the contest. Sexton ended his dream game with another successful conversion and Leinster saw out the end of the match to be crowned the 2011 Heineken Cup champions. Leinster 33-23 Northampton
Thoughts: Never has the phrase "a game of two halves been so relevant and this game may go down as one of the classic Heineken Cup finals of all time. Leinster proved why they are the team to beat in Europe with a quite sensational comeback. To be 17 points down at half-time and to then score 27 unanswered second-half points is a great achievement and one that will be recognised for years to come. A superb game between two fantastic teams and this one was a treat for all who witnessed it.
Leinster:
Tries: Sexton (2), Hines
Conversions: Sexton (3)
Penalties: Sexton (4)
Drop-goals: None
Northampton:
Tries: Dowson, Foden, Hartley
Conversions: Myler (2)
Penalties: Myler
Drop-goals: None
