IN CONJURING YET another superlative display, running through the full range of rugby’s virtues, Leinster again displayed why they have become the complete team, further embellishing this dream season with a historic double.
Another performance of pace, precision and power — one of quality, brutality, ruthlessness and unrelenting physicality — meant victory over Scarlets was inevitable, and the manner in which they’ve dismissed the challenge of so many sides, in different ways, this season has been nothing short of exceptional.
To become the first team to lift both the Pro14 and Champions Cup in a single campaign is a remarkable feat by a special group of players, and a fifth league crown moves the province out on their own at the top of the Pro14 charts.
The scenes at full-time on Saturday may not have been as emotionally-charged as the ones we saw in Bilbao, but as Leinster’s year scaled rarefied heights at the Aviva Stadium, the celebrations spoke volumes of how much the double meant to this group.
Ever since stitching a fourth European star to the crest, the players had spoken with focus and hunger about finishing the job and ensuring there would be no repeat of the two missed opportunities which continued to weigh heavy on those who were involved in 2011 and 2012.
Johnny Sexton featured in those final defeats to Munster and Ospreys and for all the talk of the irrepressible James Ryan, the outstanding Dan Leavy and a new cohort of wunderkinds, the experienced heads were key to Leinster’s success this term.
The out-half was again outstanding on Saturday, pulling the strings behind a dominant pack and guiding Leinster to victory before receiving a standing ovation on the 63rd minute when he was given a breather with the game won.
Sexton may have only been on the pitch for an hour but he had left an indelible mark on the final, putting on a masterclass in the pivot and treating us to the whole gamut of his world-class game.
Not only did he kick 13 points, but the 32-year-old was the architect of everything Leinster did well, displaying his wonderful range of passing, unleashing his devastating kicking game on the Scarlets back three and combining anger with composure to see Leinster over one final hurdle.
There was the perfectly-weighted up-and-under in the build-up to Devin Toner’s opening try, or the crossfield kick and quick hands to send James Lowe over in the corner in those crucial championship minutes when the clock had struck red.
His touchline conversion from this near side turned Leinster’s three-point lead into a much greater buffer at half-time, as he hammered a nail into the Scarlets coffin.
Sexton wasn’t done yet, though, as he picked himself off the turf after Scott Williams caught him high to ping the penalty deep into Scarlets territory with unerring accuracy.
From there, the forwards did the rest, bulldozing their way towards the line, allowing Sean Cronin to latch off the back of the maul and crash over, with the out-half nailing the conversion from another tight angle.
Leinster at their brilliant best, and Sexton was at the heart of it.
“Of all the players I have coached he is probably the best and I have obviously coached some pretty good players with England,” Stuart Lancaster said afterwards.
“His ability to see the game, his knowledge of the game and his ability to inspire others to get the best out of them, his desire to achieve things…it’s a challenge but I love the challenge.
“There were some massive moments in the game that he contributed to. The James Lowe try on the short side was exceptional with his hands and the vision to see it. The kick to the corner for the maul try was a huge, huge moment. The conversion of the try on half-time.”
A challenge?
Lancaster explains: “It’s his knowledge, a challenge in a good way. He has been coached by great coaches and he is always wanting to get better. When I came in I brought in some different ideas for him to think about which he has been broad minded enough to accept. And his game has developed accordingly. His drive to be the best that he can be is what sets him apart.”
The reception Sexton received when he was replaced by Joey Carbery was testament to his influence, and then again when he was announced as man of the match, the roof came off the Aviva Stadium again.
His worth to this team cannot be underestimated and the leading role he has played in both Ireland and Leinster’s success this season is worth noting over and over again, particularly when you think his form was questioned towards the end of last season heading to New Zealand.
Since the first Lions Test last summer, Sexton has won all 19 of the games he has been involved in for Ireland and Leinster and his form has been absolutely pivotal in everything that has been achieved this season.
“Everyone is delighted. It’s been a tough season, a long season,” he said, with another medal around his neck.
“To do the double off the back of the Six Nations success is a dream come true.
“I was thinking beforehand that we have left four finals behind us. Some of us have never lost a European final, we’ve won five out of five European finals (including one Challenge Cup) but only had two league victories and we’ve left four behind us.
“That weighed on me heavily and we’ve learned a lot.”
Sexton continued: “One year, Girvan Dempsey and Malcolm O’Kelly were retiring after the Ospreys game and Michael Cheika made it all about them — rightly so because they gave so much to the club.
“But I remember feeling overwhelmed by trying to send those guys off with a victory and we forgot we had to go and play a game of rugby and play well.
“We spoke about that — wanting Isa (Nacewa) to finish on a high wasn’t going to be enough, we had to go out and play really well and execute the game plan.
“I thought we did that really well.”
While the Leinster squad have been able to enjoy the end-of-season celebrations, the focus for Sexton and many of his team-mates will quickly turn to Ireland’s tour of Australia when Joe Schmidt’s squad convene in Carton House.
For now, however, Sexton will allow himself to savour a dream double.
“For the next couple of days anyway, we’re definitely going to enjoy it. What we have achieved has been remarkable,” he added.
“Like I said, to come off the back of the Six Nations and to stay motivated, everyone staying on top of their bodies, and to stay motivated to come back and do well for the club has been outstanding.
“You do have to enjoy it. We’re all delighted in there. It will take a couple of days to sink in I’m sure but it’s been an incredible season.”
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Hope they have wheelchair positions with good views. The Aviva stadium is excellent but Croke park is a disaster for wheelchair supporters as they are put behind the crowd who block the view when they stand up.
Any residents committees to consult with first?
Good on them. Wish them all the best.
Great news and a very constructive partnership with the RDS. Hopefully that relationship never breaks down though.
Probably good idea to put in good corporate boxes and hospitality stuff. As great as the GAA is international staff at Facebook, Google, etc are probably going to be more into the rugby than the GAA. RCC games have international prestige. Huge amounts of money to be made which can help close the gap between Ireland and the UK/France without screwing the average fan.
Remember the emirates stadium corporate bits earn more than the entire old Highbury stadium. As much as everyone hates the prawn cocktail brigade they pay the bills.
Fantastic news! This will help step up our bid for the RWC 2023! Would love the Sportsground in Galway to get a revamp. Connacht Rugby is growing! Also, with the GAA redeveloping Casement and Pairc UI Chaoimh, Has any attention been given to Pearse or McHale for further development?
I doubt the RDS would be used. Lansdowne and Croker will be used in Dublin. Can’t see them using three venues in the same city.
Will still be smaller than Thomand. I would have thought given the population of Leinster that they would have the largest stadium.
The IRFU doesn’t own the stadium, they have significant debts on the Aviva, the recession has crimped revenue, they can’t be sure they would fill an even bigger stadium. Building one new stand allows the stadium to stay in use through the building and bring in revenue. They can always expand the other stands later if needed.
The IRFU is a pretty sensible organisation.
Plus they own the Aviva Stadium. Pro 12 in the RDS and some RCC matches in the Aviva might be idea.
There’s no point in a bigger stadium. Larger than 25K and you’re talking Aviva anyway.
“We often have this philosophical discussion in the office after we go to the Aviva and say ‘Where are those people every other week?’ admits Dawson.
They’re Munster fans Mr. Dawson.
I didn’t see many munsterfans at the Leinster-Northampton game last year, or the Clermont-Leinster game the previous year. Maybe think about what you are saying before you make a studpid comment :)
“Ulster have too many people standing” I think the fans would disagree Mick. There’s a reason Ulster and Munster have so much terrace space. And I’ve heard plenty of Leinster fans complaining about how little terrace space there is in the RDS.
Would you fit a country singer in with a few gaa fans around mid July …. That might cover some of the cost
An awful lot of horseshit comes out of the rds, therefore make your own mind up about this story
Taxpayers money handed to the Banks to pay professional Rugby was taken from the poorest in society and now they want more revenue. I understand promoting the game and commerce but like Garyh Brooks these are luxury problems. The members of the RDS are selling their values to Rugby people who have no moral compass.
Not too sure what your on. Ever second week 25,000 attend the RDS in the Pro 12 season. Say 10% are visiters spending on average minimum €200 -€500 for the weekend in the local economy I thought that might just create a bit of employment for the lest well of if it’s even just to give them part time work. Maybe I’m wrong?
If there are 25,000 there every 2weekend why are they increasing it to 25,000?????
Taxpayers’ money?
I get what you’re saying Mark, but current capacity is 18,000. That’s why they’re increasing to 25,000.
We dont need another big stadium in Dublin correct me if I am wrong.
I wouldn’t say a 25,000 capacity stadium is big.
Thor, you’re wrong.
Really, 25000 a big stadium,hahaha, get real pal.
The Garth Brooks Arena maybe ?
L’Oreal ?
Flash, there must not be any paving or tarmacing to be done in Rathkeale today seeing that you are on the “slag off Leinster chip on your shoulder” bandwagon. ;)
Not just leinster rugby gary, trash gordon/elrat makes a two word comment on everything or anything to do with dublin. Feel sorry for the little boy, must be lonely on his farm.
Ah Gary the number 2 Gombeen Stalker – can’t be long now before your idiot pal James from Donabate will be along!
Wow Got a new Stalker in twerp another Lonster lady boy !! One at a time girls!!
You stay classy thrash, eh flash!
Another stadium in leinster being devleoped, pairc ui chaoimh in munster, casement park in ulster. Surely to god there is a bit of funding to upgrade hyde park in roscommon. Great location for a possibly great stadium, middle of the country and in the best county of ireland! Up the ros!
Mickey Stroker
What has the RDS being redeveloped got to do with funding for Hyde Park in Roscommon???
RDS doesn’t meet expanding. 18,000 is more than enough, and when it isn’t enough they move to the Aviva. I would rather have a usually full smaller stadium than an empty big one.
Although what they do need to do is upgrade some of the stands, enclose them so voices carry. The atmosphere is alright at the best of times and the stadium doesn’t help with that at all.
Also Leinster will need to start winning again in Europe if they have a hope of filling a 25,000 seater stadium because the RDS is barely full throughout the year.
Also getting rid of the standing sections is stupid. That’s where most of the real fans go and it offers a cheaper ticket.