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Leinster Crushes Sale Sharks 43-13, Advances to Semis

4/12/2026

43 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Leinster Rugby defeated Sale Sharks 43-13 in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final at Aviva Stadium.
Leinster led 7-3 at halftime after a try by Dan Sheehan.
In the second half, Leinster scored five more tries, including Hugo Keenan and Rieko Ioane.
Sale Sharks had one try from Alex Wills and battled injuries and discipline.
Leinster will face Toulon in the semi-finals, aiming for their fifth Champions Cup title.

History

Historical Context

Leinster Rugby's victory in the 2018 Investec Champions Cup final against Racing 92 marked their fourth title, solidifying their status as a dominant force in European rugby. This win followed a challenging season where they overcame top teams, including Saracens and Scarlets. Today, their recent quarter-final win against Sale Sharks highlights their ongoing pursuit of excellence as they aim for a fifth title against Toulon.

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Story summary

Leinster Rugby defeated Sale Sharks 43-13 in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final at Aviva Stadium.
Leinster led 7-3 at halftime after a try by Dan Sheehan.
In the second half, Leinster scored five more tries, including Hugo Keenan and Rieko Ioane.
Sale Sharks had one try from Alex Wills and battled injuries and discipline.
Leinster will face Toulon in the semi-finals, aiming for their fifth Champions Cup title.

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