Underdogs take crown with display oozing class and composure

at all nervous was when they retreated from their plan to play running rugby and started kicking possession away instead. That was at the start of the second half, when Leinster, who were 15-0 down at the break, briefly threatened to power their way back into contention. The favourites were on top in the opening stages of the first half too, playing at the high tempo that had undone Ulster in the semi-final eight days earlier. But, having withstood that initial offensive, Connacht soon began to take control.

Up front, young lock Ultan Dillane had a sensational first half, smashing Leinster defenders aside like skittles. Behind the scrum, PRO12 player-ofthe-year Bundee Aki again performed to the high standard we have come to expect of him.

And then there was the back three, who claimed a try each. Full-back Tiernan O’Halloran opened the scoring from an Aki pass, cutting inside to wrong foot the defence. Right-winger Niyi Adeolokun grabbed the second, chipping over the top of one defender, sidefooting the ball out of reach of another as it landed, and then winning the race to touch down.

That was midway through the first half, and, with AJ MacGinty having converted the first try then added a penalty, it gave Connacht a substantial and merited lead at the break.

Jonny Sexton opened Leinster’s account with the first points of the second half, and at last there were signs of self-doubt in the Connacht ranks.

Then, crucially, they got the next score, as left-winger Matt Healy ran on to a perceptive grubber kick from MacGinty to claim his team’s third try. Leinster eventually hit back with a converted try by Sean Cronin, scored as O’Halloran lay injured with a head knock, and again serious questions were asked of Connacht.

They answered them defiantly and came close to scoring again. Having surpassed expectations all season, Connacht had done it again when it mattered most.