Twelve months on from last year's agonising defeat to La Rochelle, but familiar heartbreak for Leinster.Leo Cullen's side end another season trophyless, having given up a 17-0 lead to La Rochelle, who produced a sensational comeback to retain their title 27-26.Here's how we rated the Leinster player on the day. Hugo Keenan - 7 Pulled off one brilliant up and under in the second half, which Leinster coughed up possession from soon after.
Made two big defensive plays, first to cover a loose kick in the opening half, before snuffing out UJ Seuteni in the second half. Jimmy O'Brien - 6 Excellent finish under pressure to dive and ground the ball in the corner, but saw very little ball otherwise. Garry Ringrose - 7 A mixed game from Ringrose, who made several ferocious tackles, but also found himself bounced by Jonathan Danty as he scored La Rochelle's first try, while he left too big a gap inside Ringrose which saw Seuteni break through early in the second half. Robbie Henshaw - 9 Leinster's best player on the pitch, and they might wonder how things would have turned out had he not had to depart for a HIA in the final 15 minutes.
The centre brought incredible physicality to the game, making 16 tackles and winning a vital turnover with his final act before departing. James Lowe - 6 An early 50:22 indicated that Lowe was on for a big game, but the Ireland wing struggled to get into the contest, and was one of a number of backs who saw a kick go out on the full, welcoming pressure back on Leinster. Ross Byrne - 6 Started well with a brilliant pass to send Jimmy O'Brien over for the second try of the game, but two conversions that came back off the post sum up the fine margins that this game was played on.