Tag Archives: saracens

Billy Vunipola has admitted that he feels regret for how his controversial comments which he made in April affected his Saracens teammates.  Vunipola was the subject of a warning from the RFU after the England number eight defended Israel Folau’s anti-homosexual views on social media. Vunipola wrote on Instagram: “There just comes a point when you insult what I grew …

England Rugby have confirmed that Mako Vunipola will undergo surgery for a hamstring injury sustained during Saracens Heineken Champions Cup final win over Leinster last weekend.  The Saracens prop has been ruled out for three months meaning he will miss the remainder of the Premiership season. It is thought that Vunipola will be fit for England’s World Cup campaign in …

“Fine margins” was the commonly used expression coming out of the Leinster camp in the aftermath of their loss to Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup final.  And it’s not surprising. Saracens were the better team on the day and they deserved their victory over the course of the 80 minutes but Leinster will look back at some crucial moments, …

For Leinster, there isn’t much time to dwell on their defeat to Saracens as they have a season-defining clash with Munster on Saturday in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final.  Most professional rugby players will tell you, having a game to look forward to is the best way to deal with the disappointment that comes with defeat. However, the Heineken Champions Cup …

It’s no surprise to hear Johnny Sexton describe Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final between Saracens and Leinster as similar to a Test match. One only needs to take a look at the starting XVs for both sides to see international quality littered throughout. When it comes to the physicality stakes, Irish sides, be it provincial or national, pride themselves on …

Sean McMahon reporting from Newcastle.  “We’re obviously very gutted,” Leinster head coach Leo Cullen began when asked to reflect on his side’s 20-10 loss to Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup final.  The 41-year-old had just witnessed his side fall to a relentless and powerful Saracens outfit and the sense of disappointment was all too obvious as he gave his …

Saracens have won the Heineken Champions Cup trophy for the third time in their history after dethroning Leinster at St. James Park this afternoon.  It’s the third time in four seasons that the English club have lifted European club rugby’s top prize and Irishman, Mark McCall, has been an ever-present in all three of those victories. The Saracens director of …

Sean McMahon reporting from St James Park, Newcastle.  With a 10-3 lead after a bruising opening 40 minutes, Leinster were in an ideal position as they looked to enter the halftime break seven points to the good. In a final which was always going to be decided by the finest of margins, Leinster’s decision to keep the ball alive when …

Leinster 10 Saracens 20 Sean McMahon reports from St James’ Park, Newcastle. Just like it was three weeks ago at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, a try from Billy Vunipola broke the hearts of Irish rugby supporters. Vunipola showed incredible strength and dexterity to stretch out his arm and ground the ball under the posts in the second half of …

It’s tight, it’s tense, it’s enthralling and to no surprise whatsoever, it’s level. Leinster and Saracens are tied at 10-10 at half-time in the 2019 Heineken Champions Cup final. It’s a battle that you simply cannot take your eyes off as the top two sides in the continent went hammer and tongs in a bruising first 40 minutes. Sexton opened …

The two heavyweights of Europe, Leinster and Saracens, meet in the Heineken Champions Cup final today at 5pm in St James Park, Newcastle. Leinster are aiming for their fifth title, their second in-a-row, while Saracens will be hoping to lift the trophy for the third time. Ahead of the game, we asked you to vote for your preferred team from …

Both Leinster and Saracens have named their teams ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final showdown in St James Park, Newcastle. Mark McCall has made two changes to his Saracens side who overcame Munster in the semi-final last month. Sean Maitland was a late withdrawal in that game but returns to the starting XV for the final. Meanwhile, Will Skelton’s …

Sean McMahon reporting from St James Park, Newcastle.  Saracens captain Brad Barritt believes his side are in “great condition” ahead of their Heineken Champions Cup final with Leinster at St James Park on Saturday.  Mark McCall’s side more or less have a full-strength side to choose from with Michael Rhodes the only major absence from the squad. In fact, Rhodes’ …

Sean McMahon reporting from St James Park, Newcastle.  There are no shortage of motivating factors for Leinster in their quest to secure a fifth European Cup crown when they take on Saracens on Saturday evening. When this writer asked James Ryan during the week whether revenge would be on the mind because of Ireland’s loss to England during the Six …

Sean McMahon reporting from St James Park, Newcastle.  Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named the same starting XV from their win over Toulouse for tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup final with Saracens. The level of consistency in selection is a bonus for Leinster but Cullen has made changes to his replacements as Jack McGrath and Rhys Ruddock are in reserve …

Leinster have announced their matchday 23 for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final with Saracens at St James Park Park in Newcastle.  As expected, head coach Leo Cullen has named an unchanged starting XV to the one which defeated Toulouse in the semi-final at the Aviva Stadium three weeks ago. Sean Cronin, who had been struggling with a calf injury, has …