“WE’RE GOING TO enjoy tonight and then it’s back to business tomorrow,” said Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip moments after his team became Amlin Cup champions.
The Leinster team exploded into celebration as flares streamed into the night sky in Dublin and Isa Nacewa and Jonathan Sexton lifted the Challenge Cup. In reality, the party had begun as early as the second minute when Nacewa and sexton combined to send Ian Madigan clear and diving under the posts.
Stade Francais had 58% of the possession and the lion’s share of the territory but emerged with nothing to show for their efforts apart from a Jeremy Sinzelle try and eight points for fullback Jerome Porical. “We got smacked,” admitted Stade coach David Auradou while captain Sergio Parisse cursed Leinster’s opening salvo of tries.
Nacewa’s thrusts through midfield, the Sexton-Nacewa crossfield kick and Isaac Boss’ box-kicks to isolated wingers — Stade knew [or claimed they did] that these moves were coming but, when they did, were powerless to keep the Blues at bay.
Leinster flanker Shane Jennings told TheScore.ie that coach Joe Schmidt deserved the man-of-the-match for devising the plays that delivered the opening tries for Madigan, Sean Cronin and Rob Kearney. Schmidt deflected praise in his post-match briefing and tried to steer clear of farewell talk ahead of his final game – the Pro12 Final against Ulster next week. However, he did admit he would not be surprised if there was a ‘little drip’ of a tear in his eye next week.
Schmidt invited young prop along to the post-match press conference in a show of gratitude for his performances in the final and over the season as a whole. There was even a late cameo for Dave Kearney, following a spell on the sidelines after getting concussed against Munster. The fans enjoyed that moment and saluted Dave, and his substituted brother Rob, who is hitting form in time for a cup run and the Lions.
With Ulster hoping to deliver a third defeat to Schmidt’s men this season, the injury tally was next on the agenda and the surnames Strauss [knee], O’Brien [knee] and McFadden [neck]. On Fergus McFadden, stretchered off in the closing stages, Schmidt said:
He’s doing a little bit of dancing now in the changing rooms so I’m thinking that he’s probably going to be OK [for Ulster] even if he is dancing with a stiff neck. I’d be hopeful that he comes through OK but we have to watch him for the next 24, 48 hours.”
O’Brien should be good to go for next weekend’s finale and he was getting no support from the Leinster staff as he carried his own kitbag into the mixed zone and stopped for interviews. “It’s just something that has to be managed over the next few days but I should be OK. It was just a bit of a tweak.”
He added, “It was all out to win tonight… that was the first one and everyone is pleased but next week it is all about trying out to get another trophy.”
Stiff-neck dressing room jigs and champagne showers for cup-winning Leinster
“WE’RE GOING TO enjoy tonight and then it’s back to business tomorrow,” said Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip moments after his team became Amlin Cup champions.
The Leinster team exploded into celebration as flares streamed into the night sky in Dublin and Isa Nacewa and Jonathan Sexton lifted the Challenge Cup. In reality, the party had begun as early as the second minute when Nacewa and sexton combined to send Ian Madigan clear and diving under the posts.
Stade Francais had 58% of the possession and the lion’s share of the territory but emerged with nothing to show for their efforts apart from a Jeremy Sinzelle try and eight points for fullback Jerome Porical. “We got smacked,” admitted Stade coach David Auradou while captain Sergio Parisse cursed Leinster’s opening salvo of tries.
Leinster flanker Shane Jennings told TheScore.ie that coach Joe Schmidt deserved the man-of-the-match for devising the plays that delivered the opening tries for Madigan, Sean Cronin and Rob Kearney. Schmidt deflected praise in his post-match briefing and tried to steer clear of farewell talk ahead of his final game – the Pro12 Final against Ulster next week. However, he did admit he would not be surprised if there was a ‘little drip’ of a tear in his eye next week.
Dressing room jigs
The Leinster boys pose for a picture with the Amlin Cup. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
Schmidt invited young prop along to the post-match press conference in a show of gratitude for his performances in the final and over the season as a whole. There was even a late cameo for Dave Kearney, following a spell on the sidelines after getting concussed against Munster. The fans enjoyed that moment and saluted Dave, and his substituted brother Rob, who is hitting form in time for a cup run and the Lions.
With Ulster hoping to deliver a third defeat to Schmidt’s men this season, the injury tally was next on the agenda and the surnames Strauss [knee], O’Brien [knee] and McFadden [neck]. On Fergus McFadden, stretchered off in the closing stages, Schmidt said:
McFadden’s stiff neck eased somewhat by his winner’s medal. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
O’Brien should be good to go for next weekend’s finale and he was getting no support from the Leinster staff as he carried his own kitbag into the mixed zone and stopped for interviews. “It’s just something that has to be managed over the next few days but I should be OK. It was just a bit of a tweak.”
He added, “It was all out to win tonight… that was the first one and everyone is pleased but next week it is all about trying out to get another trophy.”
As it happened: Leinster v Stade Francais, Amlin Challenge Cup Final
‘Myself and Leo thought it was fitting for the lads to lift the cup’ – Jamie Heaslip
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celebrations champagne jamie Amlin Challenge Cup dressing room Fergus McFadden Jamie Heaslip Joe Schmidt Leinster Sean O'Brien Stade Français