By BRENDAN GALLAGHER

 
Leinster..............21pts
Penalties: Sexton 5, 8, 22, 40+1, 47, 57
R Byrne 65

La Rochelle ......24pts
Tries: Rhule 10, Bourgarit 60, Retiere 79
Conversions: West 11, 61, 80
Penalties: West 41
LA Rochelle, showing the fighting spirit and European rugby nous of their boss Ronan O’Gara, deservedly won their first major title against a Leinster side that, almost uniquely in their recent history, came off second best in virtually every department.
It might have needed a late short range try from replacement scrum-half Arthur Retiere but La Rochelle had, fr...