Leinster coming back into it with pressure rugby but still big gap between the two teams in understanding of where space is. Lein decision making on when to pass or run is not good today.

Leinster are 0 for 3 on attacking mauls near Northampton line and had a lineout stolen. Getting to stage of the game where they need next one to work.

4 tries from tap and go. That one the best of them.

The refs don’t know. Let’s be honest.

Brilliant game. Northampton the better team and deserved it. Didn’t just work out that defence they made a mockery of it. And then they showed mental strength, fitness, and pushing laws to the limit at the end.

Leinster brought in a World Cup winning coach, Bleyendaal, Snyman, Barrett, Slimani and lose to a team without several stars and coming 7th in a weak Premiership. So this is a bad performance and a result that will shape a lot of opinions about this game-plan and this project.

All 5 Leinster tries came from pre orchestrated plays whereas all of Northampton’s came from great decision making and passing in open play. The difference in skill levels and vision was eye catching.

Jordie B is brilliant and should have started but he was on for a long time and carried hard and straight, which was done well, but don’t see how he would have changed the way the attack was structured today.

Pollock scored a try, got a steal near the end, slowed a lot of rucks, showed incredible fitness and resilience and should make Lions squad. Smith thoroughly outplayed Prendergast. Only Keenan, Tommy OBrien, JVDF, Doris played to par for Leinster.

Leinster are in that Mayo/Clermont zone now where in games with a tight finish, it looks like they’ve to not only beat the opposition, but also beat their own history. The longer it goes on the bigger a burden it becomes.

They’ll never say it but clearly Leo wasn’t allowed start Jordie B. No sane coach would not start JB. So there’s plenty to throw at Leo and Nien but that selection isn’t one.

And Irish rugby on the wrong side of the result with all these monsters!

No JGP! Furlong absence a bigger deal on a wet day, more knock ons and so loads of scrums and less purchase in the ground. No Keenan on a wet day a factor too. Plus Bulls record against Leinster in knockouts. Bulls favourites now?

Bulls attack looked mediocre there and le roux is having an off day but Leinster have rarely combined smart attack with that swarm defence against a good team. They’re phenomenal when they have this focus.

Getting great performances from some fringe players - Clarkson, Jimmy OB, Baird and McGrath. If Clarkson carries on like he has in last few weeks will be massive for Lein and Ireland.

Leinster started with weighted Jordie chip, big scrum, smart lineout move, explosive carries and fast ruck ball and rarely dipped in the 80 mins. bulls ended up being awful but Leinster set the tone of the game.

Baird is good barometer of leinster focus. He was brilliant in semi and final. Looks like he’s simplified his game a bit and that probably suits whatever way he’s wired. Having loads of options doesn’t suit some players

Jon Stewart: Social media is “free speech” in the same way that Doritos are "food"

George Gibney has been arrested in Florida. Mark Horgan, reporter and producer of the Second Captains / BBC Sounds series ‘Where Is George Gibney?”, is on the show today to give his reaction to the news. secondcaptains.com/2025/07/02/epi…

“The BBC podcast and the impact it had in prompting the four victims to come forward are mentioned several times in the court documents from Florida.” Just an incredible line to read. Thanks for all the messages over the past couple of days, everyone. Ciaran Cassidy