2011 Heineken Cup Final
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Heineken Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Heineken Cup
, the 16th season of Europe's top club rugby union
competition. The match was played on 21 May 2011 at Millennium Stadium
in Cardiff
, Wales
. The match was contested by Northampton Saints
of England and Leinster
of Ireland, the second Heineken Cup final for each club. Leinster won the match 33–22 after being 22–6 down at half-time. The win was Leinster's second win in three years of the competition.
19–15. Munster returned for the next Cardiff final in 2006, defeating French side Biarritz
23–19. Two years later, Munster faced and defeated another French side, Toulouse
, with the final score 16–13. The 2011 final was the first Heineken Cup Final held in the Millennium Stadium that does not involve Munster.
Northampton Saints had played in one previous Heineken Cup Final—in 2000. The Saints defeated Munster 9–8 at Twickenham
in London
. From their victory until the 2010–11 season, they had made the knockout stages only twice: in 2003 and 2005.
Leinster reached the semi-finals four times previously (1996, 2003, 2006 and 2010
) and also won in the 2009 final
at Murrayfield
in Edinburgh
. Their run to the 2009 final was memorable for their quarter-final victory over Harlequins
in a match marred by the Bloodgate
scandal.
(ERC), the winners of both the Heineken Cup and the second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup
receive berths in the following year's Heineken Cup. These berths are not counted against a country's normal allocation, except when either England or France produces winners of both cups in the same season. Currently, England is normally entitled to six Heineken Cup berths and Ireland to three; England is capped at seven berths (as is France).
Both participants in the 2011 final had already qualified for the 2011–12 Heineken Cup by their domestic performance—Leinster by finishing second in the Celtic League and Northampton Saints by finishing fourth in the Aviva Premiership.
Leinster won the final and therefore Connacht
, who finished last among the four Irish
teams in the Celtic League, claimed Ireland's extra Heineken Cup berth.
scored two tries, had three conversions, and scored two penalties to lead Leinster. Sexton was named man-of-the-match.
style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
Leinster:
|
FB
15
Isa Nacewa
RW
14
Shane Horgan
OC
13
Brian O'Driscoll
IC
12
Gordon D'Arcy
LW
11
Luke Fitzgerald
FH
10
Jonathan Sexton
SH
9
Eoin Reddan
N8
8
Jamie Heaslip
OF
7
Sean O'Brien
BF
6
Kevin McLaughlin
RL
5
Nathan Hines
LL
4
Leo Cullen
(c
)
TP
3
Mike Ross
HK
2
Richardt Strauss
LP
1
Cian Healy
Substitutions:
HK
16
Jason Harris-Wright
PR
17
Heinke van der Merwe
PR
18
Stan Wright
LK
19
Devin Toner
LK
20
Shane Jennings
SH
21
Isaac Boss
FH
22
Ian Madigan
CE
23
Fergus McFadden
Coach:
Josef Schmidt
2010–11 Heineken Cup
The 2010–11 Heineken Cup was the 16th season of the Heineken Cup, the annual rugby union European club competition for clubs from the top six nations in European rugby...
, the 16th season of Europe's top club rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
competition. The match was played on 21 May 2011 at Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. The match was contested by Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
of England and Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
of Ireland, the second Heineken Cup final for each club. Leinster won the match 33–22 after being 22–6 down at half-time. The win was Leinster's second win in three years of the competition.
Background
The Millennium Stadium was chosen as the venue for the 2011 Heineken Cup Final on 17 May 2010. The stadium has already hosted three Heineken Cup Finals. The first, in 2002, saw Leicester Tigers defeat MunsterMunster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
19–15. Munster returned for the next Cardiff final in 2006, defeating French side Biarritz
Biarritz Olympique
Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup...
23–19. Two years later, Munster faced and defeated another French side, Toulouse
Stade Toulousain
Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps...
, with the final score 16–13. The 2011 final was the first Heineken Cup Final held in the Millennium Stadium that does not involve Munster.
Northampton Saints had played in one previous Heineken Cup Final—in 2000. The Saints defeated Munster 9–8 at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. From their victory until the 2010–11 season, they had made the knockout stages only twice: in 2003 and 2005.
Leinster reached the semi-finals four times previously (1996, 2003, 2006 and 2010
2009–10 Heineken Cup
The 2009–10 Heineken Cup was the 15th season of the Heineken Cup, the annual rugby union European club competition for clubs from the top six nations in European rugby...
) and also won in the 2009 final
2009 Heineken Cup Final
The 2009 Heineken Cup Final was the final match of the 2008–09 Heineken Cup, the 14th season of Europe's top club rugby union competition. The match was played on 23 May 2009 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh; this was the second time that the Heineken Cup final had been held at Murrayfield after...
at Murrayfield
Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent "big screen" in the country though it still remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. Their run to the 2009 final was memorable for their quarter-final victory over Harlequins
Harlequin F.C.
The Harlequin Football Club is an English rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby, the Aviva Premiership. Their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop...
in a match marred by the Bloodgate
Bloodgate
Bloodgate is the nickname for a rugby union scandal involving the English team Harlequins in their Heineken Cup match against the Irish side Leinster on 12 April 2009...
scandal.
Consequences for other clubs
Following the Amlin Challenge Cup final on 20 May at Cardiff City Stadium, the result of the 2011 Heineken Cup Final had the potentially to secure a Heineken Cup berth for one of two clubs not involved in that match. Under rules of the Heineken Cup organiser, European Rugby CupEuropean Rugby Cup
European Rugby Cup is the organising body of two European rugby union club tournaments; the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup. The organisation was established in 1995 and is headquartered in Dublin...
(ERC), the winners of both the Heineken Cup and the second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
receive berths in the following year's Heineken Cup. These berths are not counted against a country's normal allocation, except when either England or France produces winners of both cups in the same season. Currently, England is normally entitled to six Heineken Cup berths and Ireland to three; England is capped at seven berths (as is France).
Both participants in the 2011 final had already qualified for the 2011–12 Heineken Cup by their domestic performance—Leinster by finishing second in the Celtic League and Northampton Saints by finishing fourth in the Aviva Premiership.
Leinster won the final and therefore Connacht
Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup...
, who finished last among the four Irish
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
teams in the Celtic League, claimed Ireland's extra Heineken Cup berth.
Summary
Northampton scored three tries, and held Leinster without a try, in the first half. Northampton led the match 22–6 at the half. In one of the most remarkable turnarounds, Leinster scored 27 points in the second half, and held Northampton scoreless, to win the match 33–22. Some Leinster fans refer to this as the "miracle of Cardiff", referencing Liverpool's 2005 UEFA Champions League Final win. Jonathan SextonJonathan Sexton
Jonathan Sexton , is a rugby union player for Leinster Rugby in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup. Sexton is a nephew of former Garryowen, Munster and Ireland rugby player Willie Sexton.Sexton is registered to St...
scored two tries, had three conversions, and scored two penalties to lead Leinster. Sexton was named man-of-the-match.
Details
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> |  Northampton Saints: |
||
| FB | 15 |  Ben FodenBen Foden Benjamin Foden is a rugby union footballer who plays for Northampton Saints and England. He plays at fullback or scrum-half, but can also operate on the wing... |
|
| RW | 14 | Chris Ashton Chris Ashton Chris Ashton is an English rugby union player who has represented England in both Rugby League and Rugby Union... |
|
| OC | 13 | Jon Clarke Jon Clarke Jon Clarke is a hooker for Super League rugby league club Widnes Vikings. He has previously played for Wigan Warriors, London Broncos & Warrington Wolves.... |
|
| IC | 12 | James Downey James Downey James Downey may refer to:* James Downey , internet performance artist* James Downey , Canadian academic* James Downey , rugby union player... |
|
| LW | 11 | Paul Diggin Paul Diggin Paul "Digger" Diggin is a professional rugby player in England for Northampton Saints and England Saxons. He is also a former England under 21s player... |
|
| FH | 10 | Stephen Myler Stephen Myler Stephen Myler is an English rugby union player who plays at Fly-half for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.-Rugby league career:... |
|
| SH | 9 | Lee Dickson Lee Dickson Lee Dickson is a rugby union footballer who plays at scrum-half for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.... |
|
| N8 | 8 | Roger Wilson Roger Wilson Roger Wilson may refer to:*Roger Wilson , Canadian/American professional ice hockey player*Roger B. Wilson , American Democratic politician, former Governor of Missouri... |
|
| OF | 7 | Phil Dowson Phil Dowson Phil Dowson is an English rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.Dowson's position of choice is as a Number 8 and he can also operate as a Flanker.... |
|
| BF | 6 | Calum Clark Calum Clark Calum Clark is a professional rugby union player for Northampton Saints. His primary position is Openside Flanker. Clark came through the Leeds Carnegie youth academy. Clark captained the England under 20 team to second place in the IRB Junior World Cup 2009. He has played for the England u21s... |
|
| RL | 5 | Christian Day Christian Day Christian Day is a rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership. Day previously played all of his professional career at Sale except for a 3 month temporary contract at French giants Stade Français.He previously captained England Under 21s and also has represented England at... |
|
| LL | 4 | Courtney Lawes Courtney Lawes Courtney Lawes is a professional rugby player for Northampton Saints, who play in the Aviva Premiership. Lawes is a versatile player, equally at home in the second and back rows. Indeed, he is the very epitome of the modern rugby forward, more akin to a basketball player thanks to an athletic... |
|
| TP | 3 | Brian Mujati Brian Mujati Brian Mujati Brian Mujati Brian Mujati (born (28 September 1984 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership. He plays as a prop.... |
|
| HK | 2 | Dylan Hartley Dylan Hartley Dylan Hartley is an English, New Zealand born rugby union footballer who plays at hooker for Northampton Saints, and England.-Early career:Hartley was born in New Zealand, but qualifies to play for England through his English mother... |
|
| LP | 1 |  Soane Tonga'uihaSoane Tonga'uiha Soane Tonga'uiha is a Tongan-born, New Zealand-educated, rugby union player. He plays for Northampton Saints and internationally for Tonga. His position of choice is at loose-head prop and sometimes tight-head prop... |
|
| Substitutions: | |||
| HK | 16 | Brett Sharman Brett Sharman Brett Sharman is a professional South African rugby footballer currently playing for Aviva Premiership side Northampton Saints. His preferred position is at hooker, although he can play at flanker... |
|
| PR | 17 | Alex Waller Alex Waller Alex Waller is a rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership, with his position of choice being as a prop.... |
|
| PR | 18 | Tom Mercey Tom Mercey Thomas "Tom" Mercey is a rugby union footballer who plays at prop for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.... |
|
| LK | 19 | Mark Sorenson Mark Sorenson Mark Sorenson is a rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership, with his position of choice being as a lock.... |
|
| FL | 20 | Mark Easter Mark Easter Mark Easter is a rugby union footballer who plays at No. 8 or Flanker for Sale Sharks after signing from the Northampton Saints in the Summer of 2011... |
|
| SH | 21 | Stuart Commins |
|
| FH | 22 | Shane Geraghty Shane Geraghty Shane Geraghty is an English rugby union player who plays for CA Brive in the Top 14.Geraghty's position of choice is as a Centre or at Fly-half.-Early life:... |
|
| CE | 23 | Joe Ansbro Joe Ansbro Joe Ansbro is a Scottish international professional rugby union player. He is the first player of Afro-Caribbean origin to represent Scotland at test level in history. His favoured position is centre. He is currently playing for London Irish. -Early years:Ansbro was born in Glasgow and raised near... |
|
| Coach: | |||
| Jim Mallinder Jim Mallinder Jim Mallinder is the coach of Northampton Saints and the former head coach of Sale Sharks, England Under 21s and England Saxons.-Biography:In his playing days, Mallinder was a fullback at Sale Sharks, where he stayed for 15 years as a player and a coach... |
|||
Leinster:
Isa NacewaIsa Nacewa
Isakeli Nacewa is a New Zealand-born rugby union footballer of Fijian descent. He is a utility back and represents Leinster Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup competitions. He previously represented the Blues in the Super Rugby competition and Auckland in the Air New Zealand Cup...
Shane Horgan
Shane Patrick Horgan born 18 July 1978 in Bellewstown, County Meath is a rugby union player who plays wing or centre for Leinster and Ireland. He is tall. While he was young he played for Boyne RFC. He also played Gaelic football at Minor level with Meath.Horgan joined Lansdowne on leaving...
Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is the current captain of the Ireland Rugby team and captained Leinster Rugby until the start of 2008 season. He also captained the British and Irish Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand...
Gordon D'Arcy
Gordon William D'Arcy is an Irish rugby player, more specifically an inside centre. He is registered to Lansdowne RFC and plays for provincial and RaboDirect Pro12 side Leinster.-Career:...
Luke Fitzgerald
Luke Matthew Fitzgerald is a Rugby Union footballer. He currently plays at winger or centre for Leinster. Having previously studied at Blackrock College he won two Leinster Schools Senior Cups, in 2004 and 2006. He won his first cap for Ireland in November 2006...
Jonathan Sexton
Jonathan Sexton , is a rugby union player for Leinster Rugby in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup. Sexton is a nephew of former Garryowen, Munster and Ireland rugby player Willie Sexton.Sexton is registered to St...
Eoin Reddan
Eoin Reddan is an Irish rugby union player who plays at scrum half. He attended school at Crescent College Comprehensive where he captained the school side. On leaving school he studied at the University of Limerick....
Jamie Heaslip
James Peter Richard "Jamie" Heaslip is a Leinster & Irish rugby union player.- Early life :Heaslip was born in Tiberias, Israel, while his father, retired Brigadier General Richard Heaslip, was there on duty with UNIFIL. He attended Newbridge College before starring at the 2004 U-21 World Cup in...
Sean O'Brien
Sean O'Brien may refer to:*Seán O'Brien , Gaelic footballer with Nemo Rangers*Sean O'Brien , Irish rugby union player*Sean O'Brien , based in Australia, competes on the Windsurfing World Tour...
Nathan HinesNathan Hines
Nathan Hines is an Australian-born Scottish rugby player. He currently plays for ASM Clermont Auvergne...
Leo Cullen
Leo Cullen may refer to:*Leo Cullen *Leo Cullen...
(c
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
)
Mike Ross
Michael Avery “Mike” Ross is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party. Ross is currently the dean of the Arkansas congressional delegation, or its most senior member...
Richardt StraussRichardt Strauss
Richardt Strauss is a South African rugby union player for Leinster Rugby. Strauss' choice of position is Hooker.-Career:...
Cian Healy
Cian Healy born 7 October 1987 in Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland, is an Irish rugby union footballer. He plays for Leinster and for the Ireland national team. He is registered to Clontarf RFC who play in AIB League Division 1...
Jason Harris-Wright
Jason Harris-Wright is an Irish Rugby union player for Bristol Rugby. Harris-Wright's choice of position is hooker . Harris-Wright attended Presentation College, Bray and Blackrock College. Harris-Wright has earned 7 caps for Leinster schools and 5 for the Leinster under-20 team...
Heinke van der MerweHeinke van der Merwe
Heinke van der Merwe is a professional South African rugby union rugby player. His first tour with the Springboks was to France, Italy, Ireland & England in late 2009 where he played in one test and two touring matches.In June 2010, van der Merwe joined Leinster on a 2 year contract, replacing CJ...
Stan WrightStan Wright
Stan Wright born 29 September 1978 is a Cook Island international rugby union player and his current club is Stade Francais in France....
Devin Toner
Devin Toner is a professional rugby player. Educated at Castleknock College, Dublin, he plays in the second-row for Ireland and the Irish province Leinster...
Shane Jennings
Shane Jennings born 8 July 1981 in Dublin, Ireland is a rugby union player for Leinster Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.He is also registered to St...
Isaac Boss
Isaac Boss is a New Zealand–born Irish rugby union footballer. His grandmother was born in Glenarm, County Antrim, thereby qualifying him to play for Ireland. He plays scrum-half or fullback for Leinster and the Ireland national team...
Fergus McFadden
Fergus McFadden from Kilkenny is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is currently contracted to Leinster and the Irish rugby union. He plays club rugby for his university club UCD RFC.-Early career:...
Josef SchmidtJosef Schmidt (rugby union)
Josef Schmidt is a New Zealand rugby union coach. Schmidt coached the New Zealand Schools Rugby Team before coaching Bay of Plenty Rugby Union from 2003–2004. While at the Steamers he won the Ranfurly Shield defeating Auckland on August 15, 2004 The Steamers had one successful defence of the title...
Touch judges:  Jerome Garces Pascal GauzèreTelevision match official:  Giulio De Santis |