Leinster director of rugby Leo Cullen publicly criticized the media for 'throwing the boot in' after his side edged Toulon 29-25 to reach a Champions Cup final for the first time since 2018. The French side cut an 18-point lead in the final 11 minutes, but Leinster denied a dramatic comeback via a cover tackle by New Zealand back Rieko Ioane.

Last year, Leinster's shock semi-final loss to Northampton denied them a fourth straight final, while they narrowly lost three straight Finals (2022-2024) to French teams. This season, the four-time champions, who cruised last year, faced intense scrutiny after a 12-point half-time deficit against Northampton. Cullen defended his side against late refereeing decisions that cost them last May, noting Toulon's courage despite never previously beating them.

Leinster will face either Bordeaux-Begles or Bath in the May 23 final in Bilbao. Injuries concern Cullen: centers Robbie Henshaw and Josh van der Flier (head injuries), flanker Jack Conan (limped off), and winger Tommy O'Brien (cramp) will undergo return-to-play protocols. Cullen said, 'We were throwing everything at Northampton. [Henry] Pollock gets a poach—it should have been a penalty. It’s clearly illegal, but nobody wants to report about it after.'

The context: Leinster’s Champions Cup final streak ended in 2018; their 2024 run is their first final in a decade. Cullen emphasized, 'Semi-finals come down to tight margins. In 2012, Wesley Fofana knocked the ball over, and that’s how we got to the final.'