Leinster's New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett runs with the ball during the European Champions Cup match between Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle) and Leinster at the Marcel Deflandre Stadium in La Rochelle earlier this year. Photo: ROMAIN PERROCHEAU
All Blacks back Jordie Barrett's stint at Irish club Leinster has finished with a bang, scoring a try in his team's comprehensive 32-7 victory over South Africa's Bulls in the United Rugby Championship (URC) final in Dublin.
He's returning to New Zealand, after being a major part in Leinster's securing their first title in four years, and ninth in all.
The hosts were clinical with an early burst of three tries as the rain poured down, with number eight Jack Conan, Barrett and flanker Josh van der Flier crossing the line, before Fintan Gunne's late try finished off an outstanding display.
The Pretoria-based Bulls have now lost three of the last four URC finals in another major disappointment, even if they were underdogs against a team packed with players in the British and Irish Lions squad travelling to Australia this month.
Hooker Akker van der Merwe scored the visitors' only try as Leinster made up in part for their recent shock home semi-final defeat by Northampton Saints in the European Champions Cup.
Meantime, across the Irish Sea, Bath has ended a 29-year English title drought after surviving a late surge by old rivals Leicester to triumph 23-21 in a gripping Premiership final to complete a memorable trophy treble at Twickenham.
Tries by Thomas du Toit and Max Ojomoh, after an outrageous play by flyhalf Finn Russell, gave Bath a healthy lead in the second half that looked set to underline their dominance of a campaign in which they finished the regular season 11 points clear of Leicester.
Leicester, however, seeking a record-extending 12th title, hit back with tries by Solomone Kata and Emeka Ilione either side of a Russell penalty to set up a nail-biting finale.
Bath, who lost a similarly close game to Northampton a year ago, held out though, to complete a memorable treble after they also lifted the Premiership Cup and European Challenge Cup, having not won a domestic trophy since their 1996 league and cup double.
- Reuters
