Leinster trailed 20-16 as the game drifted to a close but then the visitors galvanised themselves for a final effort and their courage paid dividends when Hickie crossed for the all important try. O'Meara added the conversion to give them a little more breathing space and they clung on for a famous victory, a first for them on French soil against a side who had never been beaten in this competition at home.

It was a try from Gordon D'Arcy, after the home side had gone 17-9 ahead, that put Leinster back into the match and set them up for a marvellous finish.

Afterwards, a delighted coach Matt Williams paid tribute to his side. "It was just a wonderful performance from an exceptional bunch of guys who it is my privilege to coach." "At the start of the year we indentified our goals and one was to win in France. Now we've done that and I've said to the boys that now what we have to do is go on and win it (Heineken Cup)."

There was further good news for Leinster when the result of the Swansea v Bristol match came in, Swansea causing a majoir upset by winning 26-19.