Leinster claim record-equalling 4th European title
Leinster will add a fourth gold star to their jersey next season after claiming a record-equalling fourth European crown in Bilbao, Spain yesterday evening. A late Nacewa strike from the boot secured a 15-12 victory for the Irish club over a resilient Racing 92.
It was one of the most intense finals in recent years with Europe's top 2 clubs in 2018 going toe-to-toe for 80 minutes. In a game where both defences were firmly on top througout, neither try line was breached and in the end it was the kicking boot of Nacewa, who will retire at the end of the season, who separated the sides.
It is a fourth European title for Leinster and first since 2011-12 season and they now sit alongside the mighty Toulouse as the most successful clubs in the history of European club rugby. The victory also sees Leinster coach Leo Cullen become the first to win the competition as a player and a coach, having won 3 European titles as a Leinster player. 21-year old James Ryan was awarded the man-of-the-match award in what has been an outstanding breakthrough season for the youngster - a Grand Slam and European Champions Cup medal at 21 years of age, an incredible achievement.
European Titles by Club:
Club
No. of Titles
Winning Years
Toulouse
4
1996, 2003, 2005, 2010
Leinster
4
2009, 2011, 2012, 2018
Toulon
3
2013, 2014, 2015
Leicester Tigers
2
2001, 2002
Munster
2
2006, 2008
Saracens
2
2016, 2017
London Wasps
2
2004, 2007
Brive
1
1997
Northampton Saints
1
2000
Ulster
1
1999
Bath
1
1998