Billy Vunipola and Sean Maitland tries saw Saracens clinch the third European Cup title in their history on Saturday, courtesy of a 20-10 victory over defending champions Leinster at a packed St James' Park. Saracens started to dictate territory and possession thereafter, but all the pressure they had built up was ended on 20 minutes when skipper Brad Barritt was penalised for a needless shoulder charge deep in the Leinster 22. The first half was then turned on its head courtesy of a wonderful arching run from Leinster full-back Rob Kearney, who sliced through the Saracens line and put the Irish province within scoring range. If Saracens were relieved to have avoided the concession of a try though, things were to get worse immediately when Maro Itoje was sin-binned for repeated team infringements and the reigning Premiership champions lost both starting props Titi Lamositele and Mako Vunipola to injury at the exact same moment in the final - an extraordinary stroke of bad fortune. An immense piece of defensive play from Saracens wing Liam Williams kept Leinster from scoring what looked a certain try eight minutes into the second period, as he ran up to shut down space, before turning the ball over on the ground. A Jackson Wray break, followed by powerful Billy Vunipola and Koch carries put Saracens on top of the Leinster line before the hour mark, but though Richard Barrington had looked to have grounded the ball on the base of the post from close range, referee Jerome Garces did not award the try.
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