Over 50,000 people packed into the Aviva Stadium to witness a cracking semi-final between two of Europe’s biggest sides.

In an adrenaline filled opening it took a while for both sides to find their feet, but Toulouse took an early lead through centre Florian Fritz.

David Skrela’s opening kick hit the left hand post and as Leinster waited for the ball to drop into their hands, the French centre rose above the waiting players, collected the ball and touched down in silence the home crowd. Skrela had no problem with his second shot at goal and Toulouse had an early 7-0 lead.

It was Gordon D’Arcy’s powering break which sparked life into the game, the Ireland International burst through two tackles and, as Leinster attacked with pace and after Toulouse were penalised for not rolling away, Jonathan Sexton opened Leinster’s account with a simple penalty.

Skrela replied almost immediately with a drop-goal to restore his side’s advantage before a second Sexton penalty.

It wasn’t until the 30th minute that Leinster finally crossed for the try they deserved, Jamie Heaslip sneaking his way through a close-range ruck to place the ball on the line.

The visitors’ best period came right at the end of the first half in an attack started by Jean-Marc Doussain. The reigning European Champions threw everything at Leinster but could not find a way through the tight defence. Brian O’Driscoll was then sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul at a ruck and Skrela kicked the resulting penalty to level the scores.

Sexton had the last word of the half however, kicking Leinster into the lead with another penalty just before the break.

It was all Toulouse in the opening second-half exchanges and a stunning eight man shove from the visitors resulted in the simplest of scores for Louis Picamoles and Skrela added the extras.

The early period of the second forty minutes had everything, quick ball, pace out wide, power up-front – a true advert for European rugby.

Two penalties in quick succession from the ever cool Sexton changed the completion of the change, a position from which Leinster built upon with growing confidence.

With the lead back they looked more and more assured and, after sustained pressure, O’Driscoll glided over for the crucial score. With two more points from Sexton, Leinster built themselves a nine-point lead.

In a frantic ending to the game, substitute Nicolas Bezy kicked a hugely important penalty, to bring the scores to within a converted try.

As expected the French side used all of their European experience and passion to try their best to break through at the death, but Leinster hung on and Sexton kicked a final penalty with the last play of the game as Leinster claimed a famous victory.