In a thrilling Champions Cup semi-final held at Croke Park in Dublin, Leinster narrowly defeated Northampton with a final score of 20-17. The match was highlighted by James Lowe's hat-trick, which initially gave Leinster a comfortable lead. However, Northampton staged a late comeback, sparked by George Hendy's try, nearly causing an upset. The game set a new record for attendance at a rugby match in Croke Park, with 82,300 fans witnessing the intense battle. This victory marks Leinster's third consecutive semi-final win in the Champions Cup, setting them up for a potential title in the upcoming final.
๐ฃ๏ธ "We know we're underdogs and we are here to prove them wrong." Swing the bat ๐ Harlequins won't die wondering according to Billy Millard... #InvestecChampionsCup | #TOUvHAR | @Harlequins https://t.co/4G4VQDzLJQ
Will @Harlequins be able to stop the flair of @StadeToulousain out in the wide channels? ๐ฅ ๐ฃ๏ธ @BrianODriscoll #TOUvHAR | #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/aTUKY5qcA7
For all the amazing head to head on display today, this is the one Iโm most looking forward to. Two elite disrupters of a breakdown. Five turnovers between them this afternoon I reckon. #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/wq0K18EfUQ
๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฅ Jack Willis ๐ Will Evans Two of the best breakdown operators on the planet going head to head this afternoon ๐ Which Englishman comes out on top? ๐ค #InvestecChampionsCup | #TOUvHAR https://t.co/uSSh0TQolE
Harlequins arriving to a sea of red and a wall of noise. One of the biggest days in the clubโs history. #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/GnP2TQbm3U
Party time in Toulouse! Home supporters standing 10 deep to welcome their heroes ahead of Champions Cup semi-final with Harlequins. Strong travelling fan contingent too. Amazing atmosphere! Should be some European occasion thisโฆ ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ https://t.co/y2eTgUD5BG
๐ Quins fans have really bought into the 'Swing the Bat' mantra. England's entertainers will be looking to run it from everywhere, take risks and keep the ball alive. It's going to be one hell of a slog, however the Quins players don't take no for an answer. https://t.co/UalQyGv4kp
Toulouse smashed Harlequins at the Stoop back in December. It was 19-47 that day with Les Rouge et Noir scoring 7 tries. Dupont ran over 100 metres off 18 carries which was the most of any player for both figures. Meafou also caused problems. Powered by @Oval_Insights
Courtney Lawes' last shot at European glory with his beloved Saints before his switch to Brive ended in agony on Saturday in Ireland. #LEIvNOR #ChampionsCup #rugby https://t.co/OiO95MR1UE
The big challenge for Harlequins today is how do they deal with the Toulouse pack? Itโs a very different beast to Bordeaux. Emmanuel Meafou has the most dominant carries in the tournament and 2nd most offloads. Chuck in Mauvaka, Cros & Flament too. Powered by @Oval_Insights
We're set for a mouthwatering match up in the 10 jersey ๐คค Who will come out on top? #TOUvHAR | #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/ziCyye8sRY
Sunday afternoon rugby โณ Who are you picking in the second #InvestecChampionsCup semi-final? ๐บ From 2pm on @tntsports and @discoveryplusUK #TOUvHAR
Holy cow! Leinster almost get a pat on the head in nerve-shredding finale https://t.co/2TOiAMf6RT
โWork-ethic wise, as a student of the game, an unbelievable player that can make something happen out of nothing, the best fly-half Iโve played with is Marcus Smithโ Andre Esterhuizen interview. Smith ๐ฅ up against Romain Ntamack ๐ฅ today. @PlanetRugby https://t.co/nOzLcU53GM
'We certainly won't be kicking three points.' Danny Wilson talks exclusively to RugbyPass on why @Harlequins have to bring the attacking noise to upset the odds in Toulouse, his Glasgow sacking and the genius of Marcus Smith. https://t.co/HPWty9ksAr
Having only got his chance to play for the Sharks halfway through the season, Masuku delivered a nerveless performance with the boot to help them overturn a 10-point deficit to Clermont into a one-point margin win. | @simxabanisa @Sport24news https://t.co/C4mGSwugz7
'Yes, Harlequins must scorch out of the changing rooms but this is a game in which they must be mature and use all their gears, if they are to even come close to Bordeaux vintage.' | โ๏ธ@SBarnesRugby Tap for his columnโฌ๏ธ https://t.co/VpTm6t1Jyj
'Yes, Harlequins must scorch out of the changing rooms but this is a game in which they must be mature and use all their gears, if they are to even come close to Bordeaux vintage.' โ๏ธ @SBarnesRugby
Great result and a fun say but, my lord, Leinster made it harder than it needed it to be
Leinster boss Leo Cullen credits Northampton for adding drama to Croke Park finale https://t.co/Td9EZVs2IN
"Amazing occasion... the players dug at the end." - What Leo Cullen had to say after the dust settled on Leinster's third successive Champions Cup semi-final victory, from Liam Heagney ๐๏ธ in Dublin. #LEIvNOR #ChampionsCup #rugby https://t.co/KWYQshhBOo
๐ฃ๏ธ "The Springbok hopeful really came to the fore in an all-action showing." ๐ Northampton's player ratings are in. #LEIvNOR #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/qDOu00lFVk
โSomething almost horrific happened!โ Lowe ran in a hat-trick of tries to help the four-time European champions into a 20-3 lead but Saints finally shook off the stage fright... #LEIvNOR #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/Xe6c8Igxhx
REPORT: A 82,300 capacity crowd in Dublin watched the first England club to play at the home of Gaelic sport fire few shots until George Hendy crossed to give them hope of an upset #LEIvNOR | #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/FDSEvVfsSO
The heartbreak ๐ #LEIvNOR #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/nNJUFlxw8K
Leinster v Northampton: How the players rated at Croke Park https://t.co/hygN8H8fQ7
RATING: Squeaky bum time for Leinster fans as the men in blue very nearly fluffed their lines at Croke Park. Here's how we rated the Leinster players. #LEIvNOR | #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/8hseFYLRlz
Impressively clung on to by Leinster. Saints probably needed another ten minutes if they were to nick it. And maybe to have undone the picture they gave the ref in the first hour that did for them in the final quarter.
FIN SMITH CLUTCH #LEIvNOR #ChampionsCup
AWARD IT #LEIvNOR #ChampionsCup
A new #InvestecChampionsCup record crowd ๐ An incredible turnout at Croke Park today! #LEIvNOR https://t.co/eGpPGgVzpc
Hendy with some individual brilliance. Don't look now ๐ #LEIvNOR #ChampionsCup
James Lowe hattrick & dagger ๐ก๏ธ #LEIvNOR #ChampionsCup
The JGP Show #LEIvNOR #ChampionsCup https://t.co/KrYbyaZ4wI
What an atmosphere ๐ ๐ Croke Park, Dublin #LEIvNOR | #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/YnocbUGZ9q
Who are you backing in the first #InvestecChampionsCup semi-final? ๐
Croke Parkโs atmosphere building as 80K capacity all sold. Huge step up for Saints but they have rare talent. Report later @TimesSport . Gloucester already make finals day at Tottenham by beating Benetton
๐ต Cullen vs Dowson ๐ The coaches are no strangers to this fixture. Leo Cullen led his men to victory in the 2011 Heineken Cup final. The greatest ever comeback in a European final. Meanwhile Phil Dowson was the first off the mark that day. He scored in just 7 minutes. https://t.co/KemLCD1TC6
HOTTEST TICKET: Fans crowd the roads approaching Croke Park, the sold-out 82,300-capacity stadium in Dublin that is hosting its first rugby match since Ireland lost to Scotland in the 2010 Six Nations. #LEIvNOR #ChampionsCup - Photo By Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images https://t.co/vOL2lXFbKG
๐ฃ๏ธ "Masukuโs influence on the Sharks has been undeniable and now his big game temperament has come through. If he inspires a title win in the final it could force the hand of Dr Rassie Erasmus." 5๏ธโฃ takeaways from the thrilling #SHAvASM semi-final. https://t.co/0Gazw5Gerx
๐ฃ๐ฅ๐-๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ โ Just 60 minutes until @EngRugbyUnis play France Universities! We have your game prep covered with three fantastic pieces of independent journalism ๐๏ธ โ๏ธ @joeharvey34 & @Will_Gupwell ๐ธ @BUCSsport & Three2 Tap below to read โคต๏ธ
Initial thoughts from the Sharks vs Clermont game. Clermont with a very physical performance, Yato was unbelievable. Sharks grew into the game and looked a lot better when playing off the box kick and chase. Siya Masuku 100% kick accuracy ๐ฏ Etzebeth was outstanding - MotM ๐ฅ
CALM BEFORE STORM: The Croke Park PA announcer rehearses the Leinster team line-up to an empty Croke Park that will be packed later with 82,300 fans for the semi-final versus Northampton. #ChampionsCup #LEIvNOR #rugby https://t.co/j2ap6NcS1F
Can't wait to see these four in action tomorrow ๐ฅ ๐บ LIVE on ITV1 - 14.30 #ITVRugby | #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/BBcNVEr9Np
#unirugby internationally and live https://t.co/EqIFeL2Qf2
Live Rugby: England Students v France Universities | 3.45pm Join us later this afternoon LIVE on NextGenXV for a huge game as England host France at Coventry's Butts Park Arena! The last 2 have gone down to the wire! https://t.co/AgOZ7NNOxj @EngRugbyUnis @VitaSports_ #ENGvFRA
We're just 15 minutes away from kicking off an action packed weekend of European rugby ๐คฉ Who are you picking in the first Semi Final?
๐ต LEINSTER vs NORTHAMPTON ๐ One of the greatest defensive sets in European history. 20 phases. The greatest comeback between Rounds 3 and 4. Jamie Elliott denies Leinster the win and bonus point. #LEIvNOR https://t.co/EDeM1QsM0L
After a week discussing tasers, time to focus on tries (etc etc) again. Off to Dublin for some actual rugby - Champions Cup semi; Leinster v Northampton in front of 82,000 at Croke Park. Should be epic.
๐ต LEINSTER vs NORTHAMPTON ๐ 2011 One of the most iconic shots in European rugby. Leinster and Northampton lock horns once again today. https://t.co/9ef8CFN4U0
๐ CHALLENGE CUP SEMI FINALS The Challenge Cup semi finals are also today. ๐ฆ SHARKS vs CLERMONT ๐ก๐ต ๐ GLOUCESTER vs BENETTON ๐ฎ๐น Benetton and the Sharks will be hoping for their first final. Whilst Gloucester and Clermont will be aiming for their fifth. https://t.co/esfB52ugqQ
โญ๏ธ TRIES PER GAME Toulouse and Northampton both have the better of their opponents for tries per game. The French side is top with 6.67 tries per game. Whilst all four sides have been high scorers, the semis could be tight. Powered by @Oval_Insights https://t.co/E6k4aL0oy5
๐ฌ โThere are some really serious rugby players within the university pyramid and that is what is great about England Students..." Ahead of @EngRugbyUnis' clash with France, we heard from head coach Darren Fearn ๐ซก โ๏ธ @joeharvey34 | ๐ธ Three2 https://t.co/sv3B5iChMK https://t.co/VOoRoF0fcl
โญ๏ธ TRIES PER GAME Toulouse and Northampton both have the better over their opponents for tries per game. The French side is top with 6.67 tries per game. Whilst all four sides have been high scorers, the semis could be tight. Powered by @Oval_Insights https://t.co/35XgRzXkYB
Before the @SharksRugby take on Clermont at The Stoop, an arresting interview with Makazole Mapimpi on how his life has turned around since winning two World Cups. https://t.co/WVUiAYYWuI โ๏ธ@danielgallan
Excited the England Students match will also be streaming on @NextGenXV โฌ๏ธ๐ฝ๏ธ Tune in from 3:45pm ๐ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐๐ซ๐ท https://t.co/AZJDN9qIer
I'm off to Coventry with @cptitcombe & @NextGenXV for a sun-kissed cracker England, stacked and looking for 3 in a row France have brought Top 14, Pro D2, Champions Cup, Challenge Cup and u20 Talent. In what is a very busy, very fun day of rugby, you should make time for this https://t.co/0Vn8XB34Gq
GOOD LUCK to @DUSportExSci & @CollingwoodDU student Max Pepper, who is part of the 23-player @EngRugbyUnis squad facing France Universities at 4pm (BST) today ๐๐ The match will be available on @EnglandRugby's YouTube. Read more ๐ https://t.co/M5NrXDYuSp @TeamDurham
๐น Representing @EngRugbyUnis ๐ช Overcoming adversity ๐ Benefit of playing @BUCSSuperRugby ๐ผ The family business Ahead of playing for England Students, @DURFC and @FalconsRugby's @MPepper7 spoke to TRU ๐คฉ โ๏ธ @joeharvey34 | ๐ธ @BUCSsport https://t.co/EUSfb3tnLj https://t.co/KKaNnIFeom
๐ฃToulouse have the best gainline success rate of any side in this seasonโs Champions Cup (71%) and have gained more metres (565) and made more line breaks (8.7). Follow the epic clash live in our app๐ฒ
๐ฃ๏ธ "Youโre going to think Iโm going to say Handre [Pollard] or Manie [Libbok]." ๐ฟ๐ฆ Exclusive: Andre Esterhuizen reveals his struggles at Harlequins and picks the best fly-half he has played with. #InvestecChampionsCup โ๏ธ @alexspinksport https://t.co/86HOJlUzpr
Northampton Saints face trip to Dublin cauldron as historic as daunting https://t.co/dwqt6SmP0o
๐ฟ๐ฆ Andre Esterhuizen has picked Marcus Smith as the best fly-half he has played alongside. https://t.co/8uoXqpfjWC
๐๐ฟ๐ฆ Andre Esterhuizen revealed to Planet Rugby that he almost left Harlequins after just one season at the club. ๐๏ธ Read the full interview below. https://t.co/9YxixhNcDW
Teamsheets done. Looking forward to seeing the next generation of English and Welsh women's talent coming through. Eng U20s v Wal U20s - LIVE from Shaftesbury Park tomorrow, 2pm kick off. Streamed live on @EnglandRugby channels. Join me and @KatMerchant14 from 1345.
Toulouse v Harlequins preview: Frenchย juggernaut to edge Champions Cup thriller and continue their pursuit of a sixth title https://t.co/8jpEET5qGp
Another great @alexspinksport exclusive this time with Andre the Giant Esterhuizen. Talks fly-halves and almost leaving Quins after his first season. https://t.co/h6460gGxsN
#unirugby at its best with expert coverage from @NextGenXV https://t.co/geokcCcZRg
Andre Esterhuizenโs stunning verdict on Marcus Smith โ and how close he himself came to quitting English rugby before his Harlequins career even got going. EXCL @PlanetRugby interview. @Harlequins #quins #toulouse #springboks https://t.co/nOzLcU53GM
Live Stream: England Students v France Universities | Saturday, 3.45pm Join us LIVE here on NextGenXV tomorrow as @EngRugbyUnis host France Universities - the highest level Uni game there is! England won epics in '22 and '23, will tomorrow be similar? https://t.co/AgOZ7NNOxj
๐ฃ๏ธ "When they get a scrum penalty they celebrate it like a try. Itโs amazing." ๐ Will Collier is raring to go up against โconfrontationalโ French. #HARvTOU #InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/VTbUdqtWU9