18 May 2013

Leinster continue Stade Francais' European misery

11:58 am on 18 May 2013

Irish rugby club Leinster shrugged off the absence of star centre Brian O'Driscoll to beat Stade Francais 34-13 and clinch the European Challenge Cup.

It was Leinster's fourth continental title to add to their 2009, 2011 and 2012 European Cup triumphs.

For Stade, it was another story of final heartbreak having lost the 2011 Challenge Cup title match as well as suffering the agony of European Cup final losses in 2001 and 2005.

Leinster, who scored four tries, also became just the fourth team to complete the European Cup-Challenge Cup double.

It's the first of what Leinster's departing New Zealand coach Joe Schmidt hopes will be two victories - the new Ireland boss will also guide his side in next week's Celtic League final against Ulster.

And the victory came with some help from two of his compatriots.

Former Blues back Isa Nacewa, playing his penultimate game before retiring, had two assists and former Chiefs halfback Isaac Boss one.