European Professional Club Rugby | Runners-up Leinster boss Heineken Champions Cup team statistics

Leinster Rugby may have fallen narrowly short against Stade Rochelais in the Heineken Champions Cup final, but they enjoyed a superb campaign in EPCR’s elite competition, evidenced by their domination of the team statistics…

Tries: Leinster Rugby (43)

The Irish province were by far the leading try-scorers in this season’s tournament, with Josh van der Flier also topping the individual standings as they averaged over five crosses per game.

Semi-finalists Exeter Chiefs were second on 35, aided by Sam Simmonds’ five-score haul, while champions La Rochelle finished on 28, Tawera Kerr-Barlow leading the way for them on five.

Points: Leinster Rugby (310)

Predictably, Leinster also top the table when it comes to points, averaging nearly 39 per game as Ross Byrne amassed a personal tally of 92.

Exeter (242) and La Rochelle (220) were second and third respectively again, Joe Simmonds (55) and Antoine Hastoy (97) that duo’s top scorers.

Carries: Leinster Rugby (929)

Leinster’s relentless attacking rugby also saw them rack up the most carries, Hugo Keenan contributing 83.

Sam Simmonds and Dave Ewers clocked 69 each for Exeter (904), while the other beaten semi-finalists Stade Toulousain were third on 810.

The biggest ever comeback in a #HeinekenChampionsCup Final 👊

This week’s @TISSOT Timekeeper analyses how @staderochelais bided their time, built off their belief, and hung on to go back-to-back 🤯

Data provided by @Oval_Insights pic.twitter.com/Lcla32RIgv

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 26, 2023

Penalty goals: Stade Toulousain (20)

Leinster’s preference to kick for touch from penalties means they’re absent from the leading teams in this department. Thomas Ramos contributed half of Toulouse’s haul as they edged out quarter-finalists Leicester Tigers (17) and Saracens (13).

Conversions: Leinster Rugby (36)

Given their try-scoring exploits, it’s no surprise Leinster also top the conversions statistic as they added the extras to just over 83% of their scores. Exeter (27) converted around 77% while La Rochelle (22) improved just under 79%.

Clean breaks: Leinster Rugby (62)

Leinster’s ability to rip open defences was evident throughout this season’s Heineken Champions Cup and even in the opening quarter of an hour in the final – Jimmy O’Brien, who scored their second try against La Rochelle, was out on his own with 13 clean breaks.

Antoine Dupont managed 10 to help Toulouse to 57 and second in the statistic, while quarter-finalists Cell C Sharks (50) make an appearance in the top three after Makazole Mapimpi (eight) enjoyed an eye-catching debut Heineken Champions Cup campaign.

Defenders beaten: Stade Toulousain (172)

Dupont showcased his immense quality again this season, beating 27 defenders in seven games to see Toulouse edge out finalists Leinster (158) and La Rochelle (151).

Metres made: Stade Toulousain (3,113)

Thomas Ramos (405) regularly provided Toulouse with front-foot ball and despite playing a game less, the five-time champions ended the competition with more metres gained than Leinster (3,094).

Cell C Sharks played two games less than the Irish province but were just 50 metres adrift of their tally on 3,044.

A special 50th @StadeRochelais cap for Brice Dulin last weekend 💛#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/5DrTofEv7P

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 27, 2023

Offloads: Stade Toulousain (112)

As ever, Toulouse caught the eye with their stylish and sometimes audacious offloading game, Dupont also topping the individual statistic (19).

DHL Stormers were a thrilling watch in their debut EPCR season, completing 77 in five games, 11 more than Montpellier Hérault Rugby (66) managed in the same number of matches.

Tackles: Leicester Tigers (919)

Leicester were the busiest defensive side in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, Tommy Reffell completing a staggering 75 tackles in five games.

La Rochelle (866) relied on their robust rearguard to secure back-to-back titles, with Montpellier (837) cropping up again despite going out in the Round of 16.

Penalties conceded: Stade Rochelais (83)

Interestingly, La Rochelle had the poorest disciplinary record despite clinching the trophy, conceding an average of 10.4 penalties per game, though they of course played a game more than Exeter (80) and Toulouse (73).