Jonathan Sexton boots out Toulouse as Leinster reaches Heineken Cup Final - Rugby
Leinster’s impressive second-half effort has put them in the Heineken Cup’s final as they defeated Toulouse at Lansdowne Road, at Dublin on Saturday, April 30. The star of the night was Leinster’s fly half, Jonathan Sexton, who scored six penalties and two
conversions in the match to give his side a chance to have a shot at their second European Rugby Cup.
Both teams started the match strongly in a French-Irish Heineken Cup semi-final. A fine line separated both teams in the first-half as both teams enjoyed good spells of play.
After the initial ball handling and running a few paces, Toulouse scored during the fourth minute of the game through their centre Florian Fritz’s try. Their fly half David Skrela followed with a conversion to ger the lead at seven points.
Leinster opened their scoring during the 10th minute of the game to reduce the margin to four points. Skrela’s 11th minute drop goal again extended the lead to seven points. Both teams were playing fast-paced attacking rugby and three
minutes later Sexton scored for Leinster to take the scorecard reading 6 – 10 in favour of Toulouse.
In the following passage of play, Toulouse enjoyed ball and territorial possession and was constantly trying to penetrate Leinster’s defence but failed to do so. During the 30th minute of the game, Leinster counterattacked as Heaslip, Leo Cullen
and Sexton took the ball near to Toulouse’ try line with their number eight Jamie Heaslip scoring Leinster’s first try in the game. Sexton followed with the conversion to put Leinster in lead for the first time in the game.
Brian O’Driscoll was shown a yellow card during the 36th minute of the game that earned Toulouse a penalty. Skrela equalized the scores with this 37th minute penalty goal however, Sexton’s last minute penalty ensured Leinster’s three-point
lead over the Toulouse during the half time.
Toulouse started the second half strongly as their number 8 Louis Picamoles scored a try during the 43rd minute of the game to put Toulouse in lead again. Skrela followed with his conversion, which was his last of the match.
With return of O’Driscoll on field, Leinster counterattacked and denied Toulouse any easy scoring opportunities. Sexton scored penalties during the 48th and 54th minute of the game followed by O’Driscoll’s 58th minute try
to put Leinster into the lead. Sexton scored his last conversion of the game during the 59th minute.
Toulouse tried their best to reduce the deficit but was unable to do so. Nicolas Bezy’s 74th minute penalty did bring some life in the match however, was soon neutralized by the Leinster. Sexton scored a penalty in the last minute of the game
to take the scorecard reading 32 – 23.
Leinster will take on the Saints in the Heineken Cup Final.
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