Leinster reach final with more to come

European semi-finals

LEINSTER head coach Leo Cullen acknowledged there is still scope for growth within his side despite their convincing 40-17 Heineken Champions Cup semi-final win over Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium.

Antoine Dupont’s breakaway try edged Toulouse in front, but tries from James Lowe (two), Josh van der Flier and Hugo Keenan with captain Johnny Sexton kicking 15 points propelled Leinster into their first European final since 2019.

Cullen said: “Credit to the lads, there was lots of really good stuff in the game. They threw the kitchen sink at them, but Toulouse, they hung in and hung in. They’re always a constant threat.

“For our guys, I thought it was a good performance overall. There’s still room for growth as always, but to deliver a big performance in a semi-final, it’s pleasing.”

After claiming their fifth European crown last year, Toulouse have fallen short in their quest for back-to-back titles and head coach Ugo Mola admitted Leinster were deserving of their win.

“Today there are too many things that separated us from Leinster. We failed to stem the blue waves. We came across a much better team than us,” he conceded.

In the Challenge Cup semi-final, Lee Blackett said Wasps’ wastefulness in the Lyon 22 cost them a place in what would have been their first European final since 2007.

Wasps, who beat Edinburgh in the quarter-final, held a five-point half-time lead at the Matmut Stadium but were overpowered after the interval with Lyon – conquerors of Glasgow – running out 20-18 winners.

Wasps head coach Blackett believes this was a missed opportunity for his side.

“We are pretty gutted about it,” he said. “We feel as if we controlled large parts of the game, and it came down to key moments. What would have won the game for us was better conversion rates within their 22. I thought we controlled field position but did not take our opportunities.

Leo Berdeu contributed 15 points for Lyon including a try, while Yanis Charcosset also touched down to send the French club into their first final in any competition since 1933.

Wasps’ tries came from Dan Robson and Jimmy Gopperth, who also kicked eight points.

European Champions Cup Semi-Final: Leinster 40 Toulouse 17 European Challenge Cup Semi- Finals: Lyon 20 Wasps 18, Toulon L Saracens L