Leinster head coach Leo Cullen: La Rochelle 'had our number'

Leo Cullen admitted he was bitterly disappointed after Leinster were edged out for the second Heineken Champions Cup final in a row and said La Rochelle "had their number".

Leinster, as they did in last season's decider, led for most of the game but were unable to deal with the French side's power and persistence in the second half.

Georges Henri Colombe’s converted try with eight minutes to play decided the game, while Leinster blew their chance at a late score after Michael Ala'alatoa was sent off for a dangerous clearance at a ruck.

Leinster had led 17-0 in the 12th minute after a three-try blitz but only scored three points in the second half as Ronan O’Gara’s side defended their title.

"It was an amazing game, I thought the guys came out of the traps very quickly and were really clinical in terms of taking opportunities," head coach Cullen told RTÉ Sport.

"Second half was a bit different, we couldn’t exit that area of the field quick enough.

"Too much continued pressure on ourselves, we are bitterly disappointed. Credit to La Rochelle, they stuck in there and came away with a famous win.

"It’s devastating for the guys, it means so much to everyone, a big thanks to the supporters, sorry we couldn’t get it done this year.

"Obviously, everyone is bitterly disappointed, credit to La Rochelle.

"We came up with some big turnovers at different stages but then we weren’t accurate in some of the clearances so again, just that wave after wave of pressure. Credit to La Rochelle, they had our number.

"We had some chances at the end but weren’t quite clinical enough to take them.

Four-time European champions Leinster have now lost finals in 2019, 2022 and 2023 and Cullen, the first person to win the competition as a player and coach, urged