As Sinead Kissane began her interview with Johnny Sexton, the Aviva Stadium erupted.
The first 40 seconds of Sexton’s post-match chat with Virgin Media was drowned out as the Leinster fans acclaimed their main man.
This was Sexton’s first game since looking a frustrated shell of himself at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, last month. Any fears that the outhalf would drag in that Six Nations funk around his ankles were obliterated within the first, frantic 20 minutes.
Cian Healy and Sean Cronin had hard-running roles in Leinster’s opening try but the score owed a lot to the aggressive running lines and boldly-timed passing of Sexton. He ran hard, drew defenders in and set men free. Sean O’Brien then found James Lowe on the wing and he did the rest. Let us never talk of this man missing out on big games again.
First tricky kick of the afternoon but the Leinster 10 was dialled all the way in:
Johnny's back in blue!#LEIvTOU #ChampionsCup #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/GO6VFOwfkp
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 21, 2019
Sexton demonstrated he was up for all the pressure and responsibility, 13 minutes in, by running back to receive a clearing kick before striding forward to take a pop at a 50-metre drop goal. The effort dropped just short but received warm applause. This was more like the Sexton these Leinster fans knew.
Leinster were over for their second try on 26 minutes, not long after Richie Gray had been yellow-carded for mindlessly batting the ball away from Luke McGrath. Fittingly, it was the Leinster No.9 that made Gray and Toulouse pay for that error by scoring off the back of a rolling maul.
Another touchline conversion for Sexton and another successful kick. He was motoring now.
Upon his urging, Leinster went for the kill just before half-time. They had a penalty in their own half but Sexton wanted to twist the knife. It nearly worked but James Lowe was denied a second try when Jack Conan was guilty of obstruction and Toulouse made Leinster sweat until, on 47 minutes, it was finally half-time.
After the break, Sexton and Leinster sought to finish the fight.
On 49 minutes, after both sides had slogged at each other in midfield for five minutes, Garry Ringrose made a line break, Leinster swept left and Sexton stubbed in a great kick to the corner that Cheslin Kolbe could only gather and run out of play.
Leinster went close with two rolling mauls but, when the backs finally wrenched the ball free, Sexton’s looping pass to Jordan Larmour almost got a third try. The Blues kept the attack alive and Scott Fardy powered over from close range.
Sexton nailed another conversion from out near the touchline and maintained his 100% kicking record with a penalty on 66 minutes to make it 27-12 and put Toulouse well in the rear-view.
He left the field with 12 points to his name, 31 metres made off nine carries, and he stuck seven of the eight tackles he attempted. Decent enough numbers but it was his daring and drive in attack that helped inspire Leinster to their (and his) fifth European Cup final in 10 years.
Sexton left the field with the Trojan Tadhg Furlong and the Leinster fans acclaimed both men as they left the field of play.
The 33-year-old looked to be carrying injuries (calf and possibly hamstring) throughout a tough Six Nations. Whatever was wrong with him during that championship, he looks back to his bullish best.
He spoke about Leinster being ruthless against a Toulouse side that were stacked with game-breakers, before switching the focus to Saracens amid the din.
"We'll now prepare for the biggest battle of our careers."
Man of the Match Johnny Sexton with @sineadkissane post-match.#LEIvTOU #ChampionsCup #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/g8aMlE3FXo
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 21, 2019
Sexton vs. Farrell. Leinster vs. Saracens.
All eyes on Newcastle.
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