Champions Cup final LIVE: Saracens regain title with 20-10 victory over dethroned champions

Follow the latest updates from the Heineken Champions Cup final

Johnny Sexton expects tough Champions Cup final between Leinster and Saracens

Re-live the latest updates live from the Heineken Champions Cup final between Saracens and Leinster at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.

Saracens became the first English side to be crowned three-time champions of Europe with an emphatic victory that leaves little doubt over who the best side in Europe is, outclassing Leinster and outscoring them after fighting back from 10 points behind.

A try from Tadhg Furlong put Leinster ahead in the first half, but the teams went in at the break level as Sean Maitland replied for Saracens on the stroke of half-time. Owen Farrell then kicked Saracens ahead before Billy Vunipola added a second try for the Premiership side. Re-live the live action below.

What time does it start?

The Champions Cup final begins at 5pm on Saturday 11 May.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 4pm, and Channel 4 from 4.30pm.

Teams

Saracens: Goode; Maitland, Lozowski, Barritt, Williams; Farrell, Spencer; Mako Vunipola, George, Lamositele; Skelton, Kruis; Itoje, Wray, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Gray, Barrington, Koch, Isiekwe, Burger, Wigglesworth, Tompkins, Strettle.

Leinster: Kearney; Larmour, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton, Luke McGrath; Healy, Cronin, Furlong; Toner, Ryan; Fardy, O’Brien, Conan.

Replacements: Tracy, Jack McGrath, Bent, Ruddock, Deegan, O’Sullivan, Byrne, O’Loughlin.

Key Points

• Saracens beat Leinster 20-10 to win the Champions Cup
• Tadhg Furlong scores the first try of the match
• Sean Maitland responds for Saracens on stroke of half-time
• Billy Vunipola scores second try midway through the second half

[11 May 2019 15:41 · Jack de Menezes]

Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Heinken Champions Cup final between Saracens and Leinster, brought to you from St James' Park in Newcastle.

[11 May 2019 16:11 · Jack de Menezes]

It's the European final we've been waiting for. Saracens, the 2016 and 2017 European champions, take on Leinster, the reigning Champions Cup holders, Pro14 champions and joint-most successful club in European history.

Forget your Tottenhams, forget your Liverpools. This is the biggest European final of the year.

[11 May 2019 16:31 · Jack de Menezes]

As Sam Peters writes, this really is the final that has it all. Saracens will be intent on gaining revenge for last season's quarter0final exit, and in Liam Williams - the British and Irish Lions back - they have one of many match-winners who will need to be silenced by Leinster.

[11 May 2019 16:44 · Jack de Menezes]

With little over 15 minutes until kick-off, Leinster have confirmed that hooker Sean Cronin is fit to start the match, having been nursing a calf injury in midweek. 

With that in mind, here's how the two sides shape up:

Saracens: Goode; Maitland, Lozowski, Barritt, Williams; Farrell, Spencer; Mako Vunipola, George, Lamositele; Skelton, Kruis; Itoje, Wray, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Gray, Barrington, Koch, Isiekwe, Burger, Wigglesworth, Tompkins, Strettle.

Leinster: Kearney; Larmour, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton, Luke McGrath; Healy, Cronin, Furlong; Toner, Ryan; Fardy, O’Brien, Conan.

Replacements: Tracy, Jack McGrath, Bent, Ruddock, Deegan, O’Sullivan, Byrne, O’Loughlin.

[11 May 2019 16:49 · Jack de Menezes]

Saracens have named a similar side to the one that powered past Munster in the semi-finals, with just two changes to show from that convincing 32-16 victory. Sean Maitland was forced to withdraw in the warm-up of that match, but the Scotland wing is fit to start today and comes in for David Strettle, while the absence of Michael Rhodes in the back-row has forced the English side into a reshuffle as Maro Itjoe moves to flanker and Will Skelton comes in at lock.

[11 May 2019 16:54 · Jack de Menezes]

The two sides disappear into the tunnel to begin their final preparations, with the 52,000-seater stadium filling up by the second. Yesterday inside St James' Park it was Clermont Auvergne who claimed the silverware in beating La Rochelle in the Challenge Cup final, but today it's the main event.

The question is: who will win? There's very, very little to choose between these sides, and it's fair to day that in 2018/19 the cream has risen to the top.

[11 May 2019 16:58 · Jack de Menezes]

It is a sea of black and blue in Newcastle today, although Saracens will playing in their changed strip of red today, and as the teams emerge, Johnny Sexton holds back to allow Tadhg Furlong to run out on his own on his 100th Leinster appearance. Here come the teams!

[11 May 2019 17:00 · Jack de Menezes]

KICK-OFF! Johnny Sexton gets the match underway!

[11 May 2019 17:01 · Jack de Menezes]

1 mins:  Perhaps in a sign of the early nerves, both sides look to kick the ball away and McGrath puts his box-kick a touch too long that allows Goode to take the mark inside his own 22.

[11 May 2019 17:02 · Jack de Menezes]

2 mins: Leinster get the first penalty as Barritt is penalised for offside, with Leinster catching Saracens out at the lineout. Sexton will go for goal.