With Leinster having picked up maximum points in their opening three games, and Racing stumbling their way through the pool stages, this game oddly came in under the radar.
A mathematical miracle was the only thing that would prevent Leinster from having a home game in the last-16, and despite Racing having plenty to play for, they weren't given much of a chance if the 23-point bookmakers’ spread was anything to go by.
While Racing have never won this competition, they’ve consistently given it their respect, and although the final score shows a 36-10 Leinster victory, it wasn't reflective on what was a hugely competitive game.
Once again, the hosts looked disjointed at times in the absence of Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong, and it wasn’t until the final 15 minutes that they really started to look comfortable.
Tries for Jimmy O’Brien and Hugo Keenan had given them a 12-10 lead through the opening hour, with their poor discipline allowing the visitors regular access to the 22, particular in the opening half when they conceded 10 penalties.
Garry Ringrose was immense throughout though, on both sides of the ball, while James Ryan came up with two vital interventions in the opening half.
At times they struggled to deal with a huge Racing pack, with scrum penalties conceded either side of half time, but ultimately they navigated their way around the French forwards by constantly moving the ball in attack.
And it was that pace to their play that ultimately wore Racing down, further tries for Keenan and O'Brien and a final try for Ringrose ensuring maximum points in both the game and the pool.
Having been one of the pre-tournament favourites, Racing needed a win in Dublin to scrape into the last-16, but looked well off the pace in the
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