SM
Arsenal vs. Chelsea: 12 hrs 1 min
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

On This Day: Johnny Sexton leads Leinster comeback in Heineken Cup

:Headline: On This Day: Johnny Sexton leads Leinster comeback in Heineken Cup :
The Irish side were cut adrift at half-time but dominated Northampton in the second period to run out 33-22 winners.
Sports Mole

Exactly a decade ago, Johnny Sexton starred in a piece of Heineken Cup history at the Millennium Stadium as Leinster completed a stunning comeback to snatch the trophy from Northampton's grasp.

The Irish side were cut adrift at half-time, 22-6 down and with precious little hope of dragging the Saints back, but dominated the second period to run out 33-22 winners.

Ireland fly-half Sexton was the central figure in the dramatic turnaround, personally responsible for 28 points thanks to two tries, four penalties and three conversions.

Leinster's Richard Strauss runs into the tackle of Northampton's Phil Dowson during the Heineken Cup final in Cardiff (David Davies/PA)

In doing so he fell just two points short of Diego Dominguez's record points tally from the 2001 final.

For Leinster it was the second European crown in three years, with their third and fourth still to come in 2012 and 2018.

Northampton, captained by future England skipper Dylan Hartley, were left distraught after finishing the season empty-handed. Just seven days earlier they had been dreaming of landing the double only to be beaten by Leicester in the Premiership semi-finals.

Brian O'Driscoll later credited Sexton with an inspirational team talk during the interval, but the man himself was happy to downplay his oratory.

Brian O'Driscoll credited his Ireland team-mate Johnny Sexton with an inspirational team talk (Niall Carson/PA)

"I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to sport and I just said that we see in sport that teams can come back like Liverpool (in the 2005 Champions League final) a few years ago," he said.

"Stuff like this happens. We had to believe and we took our chances."

One year on, Leinster found a much simpler way to retain the cup, hammering Ulster 42-14 at Twickenham.

body check tags ::

amp_article__448394 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-05-21 06:41:40:
html db last update - 2021-05-21 06:10:22 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:
RB
Read Next:
Rob Baxter plays down Leinster's rich pedigree
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Johnny Sexton Diego Dominguez Rugby Union
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Rob Baxter plays down Leinster's rich pedigree
Inter Milan beat AC Milan in dramatic derby to seal 20th Serie A title

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal33235577265174
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: Arsenal vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PA

How Chelsea could line up against Arsenal

2

HC

Tuesday's League Two predictions including Barrow vs. Bradford City

3

TL

Tuesday's League One predictions including Cambridge vs. Wycombe

4

TL

How Arsenal could line up against Chelsea

5

HA

Video: Jurrien Timber scores stunner on Arsenal Under-21s return

6

VJ

Team News: Arsenal vs. Chelsea injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

7

TN

Preview: Marseille vs. Nice - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PM

Proposed changes to F1 points system spark debate

9

PC

Man City 'prepared to listen to offers for England international'

10

MC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .