Imperious Leinster rout Saints despite first-half fright

Leinster 33 Northampton Saints 22

Leinster staged the greatest comeback in Heineken Cup final history to break Northampton hearts and win their second European crown.

Northampton led 22-6 at half-time with tries from Phil Dowson, Ben Foden and Dylan Hartley on the back of a crushingly dominant scrum.

There seemed no way back for Leinster, the 2009 European champions. No side had ever overturned a half-time deficit of more than nine points in a Heineken Cup final.

But fly-half Jonathan Sexton inspired a stunning comeback as Leinster stormed to an astonishing victory with 27 unanswered points in the second half.

Man of the match Sexton scored two tries in a personal haul of 28 points and lock Nathan Hines crashed over the line for Leinster’s third try.