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As it happenedended1522607299

Leinster vs Saracens LIVE: European Champions Cup reign ends as Sarries are beaten in quarter-finals

Follow the latest from the European Champions Cup quarter-final in Dublin

Jack de Menezes
Aviva Stadium
Sunday 01 April 2018 11:13 BST
Comments
Leinster take on Saracens at the Aviva Stadium for a place in the Champions Cup semi-finals
Leinster take on Saracens at the Aviva Stadium for a place in the Champions Cup semi-finals (Getty)

Saracens put their European crown on the line on Sunday when they take on Champions Cup favourites Leinster at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, but will have to do so without a number of the players who helped them to the title last season.

Owen Farrell has been declared fit to start after recovering from a thigh strain, but Saracens are without influential back-row players in Billy Vunipola and Michael Rhodes, and well as Australian heavyweight lock Will Skelton.

Leinster meanwhile are able to recall all of their Six Nations Grand Slam winners that were given the week off last weekend, with the likes of Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose all returning two weeks after their Twickenham triumph over England.

Follow the live action below...


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What time does it start?

Leinster vs Saracens kicks off at 15:30 on Sunday 1 April.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 15:00.

Teams

Leinster: Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Isa Nacewa (c), James Lowe; Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong; Devin Toner, James Ryan, Scott Fardy, Dan Leavy, Jordi Murphy.

Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Rhys Ruddock, Max Deegan, Nick McCarthy, Joey Carbery, Rory O'Loughlin.

Saracens: Alex Goode; Liam Williams, Marcelo Bosch, Brad Barritt (c), Sean Maitland; Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Juan Figallo; Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Nick Isiekwe, Schalk Burger, Jackson Wray.

Replacements: Schalk Brits, Richard Barrington, Titi Lamositele, Dominic Day, Blair Cowan, Ben Spencer, Alex Lozowski, Chris Wyles.

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Clermont 17-16 Racing 92

There may be no score update to bring you, but this game is simply brilliant to watch, Both teams are attacking from all over the park, and despite collecting the ball on his own try line, Parra triggers a counter that nearly sees Grosso break away with open field ahead of him, only to be scragged and his offload going into touch. 

A breathtaking 55 minutes gone.

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 14:28
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Clermont 17-23 Racing 92

Drama in Clermont! Dan Carter, on in the centre, spins out a pass to Machenaud that is quite clearly forwards, yet a video review deems it perfectly acceptable. 

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 14:40
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Clermont 17-28 Racing 92

Another try from Racing! Two in two minutes as Boris Palu goes over in the corner and there's no doubt about this one. Clermont are stunned, and suddenly trail by 11 points having led two minutes before.

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 14:41
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Clermont 17-28 Racing 92

Time ticking down and into the last three minutes, it looks like Clermont are heading out...

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 14:56
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Full-time: Clermont 17-28 Racing 92

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 14:59
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A fantastic game comes to a finish as Racing 92 knock out last season's runners-up, but the end of one barnstormer will hopefully cue the start of another.

I have to say, it's mighty cold here at the Aviva with the wind sweeping in from the Irish Sea a stone's throw from the stadium.

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 15:12
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What are your thoughts ahead of the match?

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 15:20
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Saracens head in much, much earlier than Leinster, who run through their final phases before heading into the changing rooms as the Leinster Drummers play them off the field.

Not long to go until kick off, and the atmosphere is building very nicely indeed!

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 15:23
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The Leinster flags fly as the home fans pay tribute to one of their great players, with the recently retired Jamie Heaslip walking out to a standing ovation a week after announcing the end of his career.

A real icon of the Irish game, and as the Champions Cup trophy is brought out in front of the tunnel, it means we're only minutes away from the teams emerging.

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 15:27
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And here they come! Lead out by Isa Nacewa and Brad Barritt, it's time for Leinster vs Saracens!

Jack de Menezes1 April 2018 15:29

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