Champions Cup final: talking points from Saracens’ victory over Leinster


Learning through failure shifts power to Saracens, but this year’s showpiece could have seismic effects on the wider game

Leinster were a year ago hailed not only as the best team in Europe but potentially the best ever after winning the Champions Cup. Saracens were among their victims, but it is a tournament in which the best dare not stand still. Its history shows clusters of teams who have held sway for a while – Leicester, Toulouse, Munster, Leinster and Toulon – but it is not difficult to see Saracens becoming its most dynastic club. Leinster do not lose many games and hardly any when they have a 10-point advantage just before half-time, but Sarries have this decade become versed in the art of winning on the big occasion, learning through failure.

Related: Saracens’ Billy Vunipola bursts through to beat Leinster in Champions Cup final

Related: Leinster 10-20 Saracens: Champions Cup final player ratings

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