Forgotten Springboks Rhule and Leyds spearhead La Rochelle's momentous Champions Cup win

Arthur Retiere scored the decisive try but La Rochelle were spearheaded by two forgotten Springboks, Raymond Rhule and Dillyn Leyds, in a nail-biting 24-21 win over four-time champions Leinster in a thunderous Champions Cup final in Marseille on Saturday.

The duo were prominent protagonists, with Leyds walking away with the official Man of the Match award and Rhule scoring the opening try.

Leinster captain Johnny Sexton kicked six penalties and Ross Byrne one as La Rochelle, for most part, looked like they might pay for their ill-discipline.

But the French side kept themselves in the game with three tries, all converted by Ihaia West.

Rhule crossed in the first half before Pierre Bougarit was driven over to set up a monumental final 15 minutes at the end of which Retiere darted over from close range to seal La Rochelle's maiden Cup victory.

From Dillyn Leyds to Raymond Rhule.#LEIvLAR #ChampionsCuppic.twitter.com/g6U4eQgUU4

The omens didn't look good as La Rochelle gave away four penalties in the opening eight minutes of play at the Stade Velodrome, Sexton kicking two of them.

The Top 14 side roared straight back into contention, however, Leyds drawing two defenders and off-loading smartly to his fellow Springbok winger.

The Ghana-born Rhule, who admitted in the week that unlike most rugby players he didn't like running, the gym or stretching, proceeded to show a clean pair of heels to swerve past last defender Hugo Keenan for a well-taken try.

Another infringement saw Sexton nail his third penalty to hand Leinster the lead once more.

The game then turned into one of attrition.

La Rochelle deployed giant Australian lock Will Skelton and France's Kiwi-born prop Uini Atonio to devastating effect, while Leinster centre Garry Ringrose