Just as Ireland did in the NatWest 6 Nations against France, Leinster struck late to beat Racing 92 and take their fourth European Champions Cup title.
Isa Nacewa’s 79th-minute penalty gave the Irish province a 15-12 success in Bilbao in an exceptionally tight game, reminiscent of the 15-13 success against Les Bleus at the Stade de France.
Johnny Sexton, who scored that memorable drop goal against France, kicked three penalties for Leinster, with Nacewa adding two more as they eventually got the better of their Top 14 opposition.
Racing lost fly-half Pat Lambie after just three minutes but took the lead through Teddy Iribaren, filling in for injured France scrum-half Maxime Machenaud.
Sexton levelled matters on 16 minutes with a simple penalty following a clever backs move.
But when Leinster collapsed a maul, Iribaren was able to give the French side the lead once again.
Leinster could have tied things up just after the half-hour, but turned down a shot at goal and the Irish side were penalized after taking a quick tap.
However they did go in at half-time at 6-6 thanks to a second Sexton penalty, this time after an intentional knock-on by Leone Nakarawa.
Racing started the second half strongly, with Iribaren adding three more points when Leinster strayed offside to take the lead for the third time.
Sexton missed one chance to level from distance but quickly found his range to draw Leinster level once again.
James Ryan, such a key member of Ireland’s Grand Slam side earlier this year and man of the match on the day, then earned a crucial lineout steal, but Sexton had the distance but not the accuracy as he kicked at goal from halfway.
Iribaren followed suit not long after with his first miss of the game, like Sexton a shot from halfway proved just too difficult.
He was back on target with ten minutes to go, but that was quickly cancelled out by Nacewa when Racing edged offside.
And he did the same again a minute from time after some extended Leinster pressure to seal the victory in dramatic circumstances.
Racing could have taken it to extra-time but Rémi Talès was off-target with a drop goal attempt with the final play of the game.
