Racing 92's Champions Cup Final Heartbreak

Will it be third time lucky for Racing 92? 

This weekend Racing 92 will go in search of their first European crown having fallen at the final hurdle twice before. The Parisian club face first-time finalists Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on Saturday (16:45 UK and Irish time).

Racing 92 have won the TOP14 six times in their history but have failed to add a European title to their tally fall short in 2016 and 2018. 

On Saturday, Racing will be looking to end the pattern that has seen them make the final every second year.

2016: Racing 92 9-21 Saracens

The pattern began in 2016 after Racing managed to top their group with the likes of Scarlets, Glasgow and Northampton Saints in their way. A victory over then-defending champions Toulon saw Racing set up a semi-final against Leicester Tigers before they faced Saracens in the final. 

Much-like this weekend's game, the 2016 final saw Racing 92 take on an English club that was vying to win the competition for the first time in their history. Now England captain, Owen Farrell put in a match-winning performance as he booted seven penalties from seven attempts in a 21-9 success. Meanwhile, Farrell's opposite number Dan Carter had a game to forget as he was forced off the pitch shortly after half time with his halfback partner Maxime Machenaud lasting just 21 minutes.

The likes of Antonie Classen, Henry Chavancy, Maxime Machenaud, Eddy Ben Arous, Wenceslas Lauret, Juan Imhoff and Bernard Le Roux all featured in the 2016 final and will be eager to finally get the monkey off their back.

Leinster Rugby 15-12 Racing 92

Injuries once again ravaged Racing 92 ahead of their final against Leinster as Dan Carter withdrew from the final for the second time before his replacement, Patrick Lambie, was replacements after just three minutes in what proved to be the former Springboks' final game of his career.

It was an emotional win for Leinster as the club looked to send one of their all time greats out on a high as Isa Nacewa announced he would be retiring at the end of the season. The Irish Province went on the hunt for a season double with a PRO14 semi-final lined up for after the Champions Cup final.

Despite their injuries, Racing kept the clash extremely close throughout as Jonathan Sexton and Teddy Iribaren traded punches from the tee to go into the break square at 6 apiece. 

It was Racing who led for almost the duration, but Leinster changed their kicker coming into the final moments and Isa Nacewa slotted a couple of goals, to first level the score and then take the lead.

Another tryless final as two late Nacewa penalties gave Leinster the victory with Iribaren missing just once from the tee compared to Sexton's two. 

Replacement Racing 92 flyhalf Remi Tales attempted a thirty-metre drop goal in the latter stages of the game to send the encounter into extra time but his effort sailed wide as Leinster claimed their fourth European title.