The heroes were tired.

After digging deep into their physical and mental resources to crucify Munster on penalties (24-24 aet, 4-2) last week in the quarterfinals, already in Dublin, the reigning European and French champions n didn't have the weapons to compete.

In an Aviva Stadium not quite full (42,076 spectators) but totally won over to their opponent, they fell on stronger and will have to count on Racing 92 or La Rochelle, opposed Sunday (4:00 p.m.) in the second semi-final, to prevent Leinster from equaling their record five continental titles.

Under a generous sun, this clash of titans kept all its promises in terms of intensity from the start.

Already ruthless last week in the first half in Leicester (20-0 for a 23-14 final victory), the Irish put enormous pressure on Toulouse.

The first try of the match, scored after a solitary sprint of 80 meters by the inevitable Antoine Dupont after having countered a game at the foot of his vis-à-vis, was only a trompe-l'oeil (3-7 in the 7th minute).

Toulouse pillar Cyril Baille stopped by Leinster players in the semi-final of the European Cup in Dublin, May 14, 2022 PAUL FAITH AFP

Too often pierced by the blue waves, with formidable precision, the Toulouse defense folded twice during the first twenty unbreathable minutes (20-7).

A complicated European season

The tries of international winger James Lowe (15th, 13-7) and third row Josh van der Flier, after a breakthrough from the indestructible Johnny Sexton (20th, 20-7), named man of the match, were almost a lesser evil for the men of Ugo Mola, who no doubt hoped for better on his 49th birthday.

Even the exit on injury, after only a quarter of an hour, of the cornerstone of his scrum, the right pillar Tadhg Furlong, failed to upset the perfectly oiled mechanics of Leinster, main provider of the XV of Clover.

Facing a blunt and clumsy Red and Black, the Irish province almost quietly managed their lead in the second act after taking cover thanks to Lowe's double try (50th, 30-10), best European Cup scorer (10 tries).

As in 2019 at the same stage of the competition (30-12), Stade Toulousain seemed helpless.

Selevasio Tolofua's try, on a particularly well-handled maul near the touchline (66th, 30-17), did not even maintain a semblance of suspense, definitively killed at the end of the match by full-back Hugo Keenan (79th, 40-17).

Toulouse players dejected after their defeat in the European Cup semi-final against Leinster in Dublin, May 14, 2022 PAUL FAITH AFP

The defending champion had so far managed to overcome the many blows of fate that have occurred this season along his European route.

Starting with the cancellation last winter, due to Covid-19, of two of his four group matches, including one at home against Cardiff given lost on green carpet when he considered himself able and entitled to dispute it.

Furious against the organizers of the competition, the president Didier Lacroix then said that his team, if it were to qualify despite everything in the final phase, would be very difficult to stop.

Leinster did it brilliantly.

© 2022 AFP