Leinster will be shell shocked after the closing stages of the Champions Cup final on Saturday evening, which saw La Rochelle pull off a phenomenal comeback to seal back-to-back titles.
After the disappointment of falling to La Rochelle's last-minute try in the 2022 final in Marseille, Leinster were determined not to allow lightning to strike twice, especially with the final taking place on home soil at the Aviva Stadium.
And an outstanding start to Saturday's final looked to have them on their way to a record-equalling fifth star on the crest.
But the resilience of Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle was shown in the second half, as they fought back to take a one point lead with just nine minutes left thanks to a try from Georges-Henri Colombe.
La Rochelle lead!
Georges-Henri Colombe burrows over after some relentless pressure. And Leinster down to 14 as Kelleher is binned
26-27 La Rochelle #LEIvSR
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📱https://t.co/u8hlQ5KtpQ pic.twitter.com/IUyjEaGRng— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) May 20, 2023
Moments later, Colombe was left flattened inside his own 22 after a shocking hit from Leinster substitute Michael Ala'alatoa which saw the prop see red, sealing Leinster's fate.
Champions Cup final: Shocking Michael Ala'alatoa red card seals Leinster's fate
Even after La Rochelle took the lead after remarkable and persistent pressure with nine minutes to go, Leinster looked capable of getting revenge for last year's final defeat.
A lengthy period of Leinster pressure deep inside the La Rochelle 22 saw them turn down an opportunity to slot over a drop goal and re-take the lead and, with a matter of 90 or so seconds left on the clock, a moment of madness from Michael Ala'alatoa sealed Leinster's fate.
With Leinster seeking to win the ball back at the breakdown, Ala'alatoa came flying in to the ruck with no attempt to wrap, and crashed into the head of Colombe at speed with his shoulder.
The hit left La Rochelle man Colombe seemingly out cold on the Aviva Stadium pitch and, after a lengthy delay, he was stretchered off.
Referee Jaco Peyper had an easy decision to make after consulting with his TMO, and Ala'alatoa saw red with possession turned over to La Rochelle with the award of a penalty.
With that went Leinster's hopes of pulling off a smash and grab in the La Rochelle 22, and moments later the French side would kick the ball out to secure their second successive Champions Cup after a dramatic final in Dublin.
It's a moment Michael Ala'alatoa - and the Leinster fanbase - won't want to relive, and it leaves them with plenty of disappointing questions after a third Champions Cup final loss in five years.
SEE ALSO: Ronan O'Gara Quick To Remind RTE Panel That Dublin Is Not His Home
