Hi everyone and welcome to our live coverage of Leinster v Northampton, the Irish province’s first rugby match at Croke Park since the storied Heineken Cup semi-final of 2009. 

Leinster gained an upper hand over Munster that day that they have rarely relinquished since. Today they seek to make it through to a third consecutive Champions Cup final, where they would seek to win the trophy for a fifth time in all – and a first since 2018.    

Northampton are currently top of the Premiership but it will take a big performance from them to upset the odds. Leinster are 15-point favourites, and are 1/9 to win, with Northampton available at 6/1. 

Yet, as Leinster know, semi-finals at GAA HQ do not always go the way of the favourites. Stay with us for updates throughout the game. 

Leinster:

15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Robbie Henshaw 
12. Jamie Osborne
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Ross Molony
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (capt)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher 
17. Cian Healy
18. Michael Ala’alatoa
19. Jason Jenkins
20. Jack Conan 
21. Luke McGrath
22. Harry Byrne 
23. Jimmy O’Brien 

Northampton Saints:

15. George Furbank
14. James Ramm
13. Tommy Freeman
12. Fraser Dingwall
11. George Hendy
10. Fin Smith
9. Alex Mitchell

1. Alex Waller
2. Curtis Langdon
3. Trevor Davison
4. Alex Moon
5. Alex Coles
6. Courtney Lawes (capt)
7. Sam Graham
8. Juarno Augustus

Replacements:

16. Sam Matavesi
17. Emmanuel Iyogun
18. Elliot Millar Mills
19. Temo Mayanavanua
20. Angus Scott-Young
21. Tom James
22. Tom Litchfield
23. Tom Seabrook

Referee: Mathieu Reynal (Fra)

Some pre-reading kick-off reading for subscribers who perhaps have not had a chance so far: 

Ciarán Kennedy’s match preview.

Murray Kinsella on the threat posed by Northampton. 

Kick off has been delayed by 10 minutes 

Some among the capacity, 82,000, crowd are still making their way into the ground. 

The teams are out to considerable fanfare and volume. The delayed 5.40 kick off is approaching fast.  

0 mins: Lein 0 Nor 0
And we’re off

3 mins: Lein 0 Nor 0

Leinster concede a scrum penalty. Andrew Porter is penalised. 

Leinster win back possession after a Saints knock on in midfield. 

Seven minutes on the clock approach, and the opening exchanges have been characterised by handling errors by both sides. A nervy start. 

Leinster try! 10 mins: Lein 5 Nor 0

James Lowe touches down in the left corner after a penalty is tapped quickly by Jamison Gibson-Park. The scrum half then threw a superb long pass to the winger who got over. 
Ross Byrne converts. 7-0.

Leinster try! 14 mins: Lein 12 Nor 0

James Lowe again in the left corner, and again from a smart Gibson Park pass. Leinster well on top. Byrne hits the post with the kick. 

20 minutes in Leinster have a lineout on halfway. They are in control. The Saints need to score next you’d feel for a contest to emerge. 

The English side have yet to enjoy any sustained possession in Leinster’s 22.  

25 min: Lein 12 Nor 0
Another big moment for Leinster as they win a penalty with Northampton in possession, thanks to good work from Josh van der Flier and Andrew Porter.  

Scrum penalty to Leinster under the posts 

29 min: Lein 15 Nor 0

Ross Byrne kicks the penalty from in front of the posts. 

Northampton ahead of the kick from the restart. It’s unravelling a bit for the Premiership leaders. 

And Leinster win a scrum penalty from the resulting play. Byrne kicks his side back into the Saint’s 22. 

32 mins Lein 15 Nor 0

Courtney Lawes comes up with a big play to win a penalty with Joe McCarthy on the charge. 

Scrum penalty to Northampton on 35 minutes. Saints are just outside the 22 with a lineout. 

36 mins: James Lowe reads a grubber kick through from Fin Smith. He clears to touch.  

39 mins: Lein 15 Nor 3

Saints blow a big chance to get back in the game. James Ramm can’t hold a pass to get in the Hill 16/Cusack Stand corner. Back for a penalty though and Saints have their first points.   

Half-time: Lein 15 Nor 3

Van der Flier knocks on as Leinster approach the line again and Northampton go in 12 points down. 

To be within two scores after the half that has been is a bit of a result for the visitors. Leinster have been dominant; aggressive in the tackle, so quick off the line and dangerous with ball in hand. 

Northampton are not without hope. If they can score next and cut out their frequent handling errors and put together some phases then we might get a closer contest. As things stand Leinster are well worth their status as 15-point favourites. Back shortly with the second half.   

And we’re off again. 

Leinster attacking the Hill 16 End.  

Leinster try!
44 mins: Lein 20 Nor 3

James Lowe try. Hat-trick for the winger. Ryan Baird started the move with a barnstorming run deep into opposition territory from near halfway. Byrne fails to convert. 

Barring something exceptional, that try removes any doubt as to who will make the final in North London later this month.  

Another quick score for the blues and this could take on the sheen of a Dublin footballers’ Leinster championship game at the same ground. 

52 mins: Lein 20 Nor 3

Ciarán Frawley with a fantastic catch and flick back into play to prevent a Saints lineout. Northampton work their way back into the 22 but Leinster win the penalty and clear.  

Ronan Kelleher, Jason Jenkins and Jack Conan on for Leinster  

55 mins: Attacking lineout for Northampton, five metres out.  

57 mins: Lein 20 Nor 3

Leinster win a scrum penalty under their own posts. Yet another big play at the right time from the home side. Saints’ pack sent backwards before the call came. 

Northampton try!
58 mins: Lein 20 Nor 10

Winger George Hendy touches down for Northampton following a scramble in the left corner. Fin Smith converts from the touchline. Out of almost nowhere Northampton are back in it.  

62 mins: Lein 20 Nor 10

Ross Byrne misses with a penalty for Leinster from the 10m line in front of the posts. 

Saints win a penalty on their 10m line. A sense the visitors are beginning to believe something is possible now. 

63 mins: Leinster win a penalty on their 22.

70 mins: Lein 20 Nor 10

Northampton have a lineout on halfway. They have huffed and puffed in the past few minutes but can’t break through and establish a foothold in the Leinster half.  

Now they get a penalty and get into the Leinster 22. Huge roar as Cian Healy comes on.

72 mins. Gibson-Park touches down to save a try for Northampton. Still 20-10. 

Northampton try!
73 mins: Lein 20 Nor 15

73 mins: Lein 20 Nor 17

Smith converts!  

Tommy Freeman with the try after a succession of penalties. Crowd unhappy as Ciarán Frawley was down injured at the time. 

79 min: Penalty Leinster on their 22. Huge relief for them with the Saints on the march. 20-17. 

Somehow Leinster are hanging on in a game they have looked like running away with at various stages. 

Full time – Leinster win!   

Full-time: Lein 20 Nor 17

Leinster hold out in the frantic dying moments to deny Northampton one last possession and boot the ball into the Hogan Stand to book their trip to the final. 

Match report, analysis and loads of reaction on the way on The 42 over the next couple of hours. Thanks for following the game here. Take care.