It wasn't a vintage performance yesterday but Leinster got the job done as they survived a late scare to beat Northampton 20-17 and book their place in the Champions Cup final.
It was a historic day for Irish rugby as the semi-final was the first match to be played in Croke Park since 2010 and only the second club match ever to be played at the home of the GAA.
Leinster got out to an early lead and the game looked all but settled when James Lowe finished off his hat-trick 3 minutes into the second half to give Leinster a 20-3 lead. However the Saints came fighting back and tries from George Hendy and Tom Seabrook made it a nervy finish for the Boys in Blue.
Leo Cullen himself was relieved that they "managed to get it over the line" and said that Leinster "struggled" at points on the big stage.
Stephen Jones Fires Shots At Croke Park And GAA
It's fair to say that Sunday Times columnist Stephen Jones hasn't always been the biggest fan of Leinster or Irish rugby. He's not shy of criticising Leinster or the Ireland team, whether it's saying that Leinster get favourable draws in the Champions Cup or that the Irish team are arrogant.
Having previously felt aggrieved that Leinster were to host yet another knockout match when the time came around for the match itself Jones took the opportunity in his Sunday Times column to down play the historic value of Croke Park while also taking a shot at the GAA.
And that was that from Croke Park, where we were meant to see all sorts of historical significance in this fixture.
Frankly, it is much easier to see it as a stadium hire from the Gaelic Athletic Association. It is said that body moves slower that the Rugby Football Union did in the 19th century. It is not as if their sport has taken over the world.
But they provided the stage for an excellent and riveting contest, won by Leinster, then by Northampton, and finally by Leinster. It deserved the record audience, in all respects.
Jones would continue his criticism of Croke Park on Twitter were he said Croke Park "isn't the most intimidating arena" but it wasn't just the venue Jones felt the need to throw digs at.
Ross Byrne caught the ire of the columnist who wasn't impressed with his performance nor his turn of pace.
For Leinster, Ross Byrne is a steady player at fly half, but he is no Johnny Sexton
Byrne, who revealed himself to not be Usain Bolt when was put clear on the intercept in the first half, might be an obvious target in the final.
Behaviour like this isn't anything new for Jones, he's been doing this for decades now but it is always fascinating to see what new thing he can find anger in.
For Leinster they now have a date in London in less than three weeks time as they'll play in their third Champions Cup final in-a-row at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium.
READ ALSO: The English Commentators Really Wanted A Penalty In The Dying Moments Of Leinster-Northampton
