Twelve months on from last year's agonising defeat to La Rochelle, but familiar heartbreak for Leinster.
Leo Cullen's side end another season trophyless, having given up a 17-0 lead to La Rochelle, who produced a sensational comeback to retain their title 27-26.
Here's how we rated the Leinster player on the day.
Hugo Keenan - 7
Pulled off one brilliant up and under in the second half, which Leinster coughed up possession from soon after. Made two big defensive plays, first to cover a loose kick in the opening half, before snuffing out UJ Seuteni in the second half.
Jimmy O'Brien - 6
Excellent finish under pressure to dive and ground the ball in the corner, but saw very little ball otherwise.
Garry Ringrose - 7
A mixed game from Ringrose, who made several ferocious tackles, but also found himself bounced by Jonathan Danty as he scored La Rochelle's first try, while he left too big a gap inside Ringrose which saw Seuteni break through early in the second half.
Robbie Henshaw - 9
Leinster's best player on the pitch, and they might wonder how things would have turned out had he not had to depart for a HIA in the final 15 minutes. The centre brought incredible physicality to the game, making 16 tackles and winning a vital turnover with his final act before departing.
James Lowe - 6
An early 50:22 indicated that Lowe was on for a big game, but the Ireland wing struggled to get into the contest, and was one of a number of backs who saw a kick go out on the full, welcoming pressure back on Leinster.
Ross Byrne - 6
Started well with a brilliant pass to send Jimmy O'Brien over for the second try of the game, but two conversions that came back off the post sum up the fine margins that this game was played on. Possibly could have dropped back into the pocket to go for a dropgoal before the decisive Ala'alatoa red card late on, but hindsight is wonderful.
Jamison Gibson-Park - 6
Like Byrne, the scrum-half started brilliantly and it was his quick service that sent Sheehan over for his second try, and forced Tawera Kerr-Barlow's yellow card with a quick-tap penalty. But the Ireland international kicked poorly in the second half and rushed his play at times as Leinster struggled to gain any momentum. His poor pass to James Lowe led to a knock-on in the opening half, with La Rochelle scoring soon after.
Andrew Porter - 7
Offered a lot around the pitch, logging a combined 15 tackles and carries. Scrum was always going to be under big pressure, but he came up with a big shove early in the second half which led to three points.
Dan Sheehan - 8
Took his two tries brilliant, and showed great awareness to throw short for Jack Conan, leading to the opening score. Made 17 tackles and won a big turnover in an all-action shift.
Tadhg Furlong - 7
Made eight tackles in the first half, but came off with what looked like an injury after 44 minutes. Having sat out the captain's run yesterday, it's unclear whether he was fully fit. Was badly missed in the second half.
Ross Molony - 7
Made 15 tackles and got through a mountain of work. Was a solid source of lineout ball and played a big part in a strong maul defence that stopped La Rochelle several times up until the final quarter.
James Ryan - 7.5
Was heading towards an enormous game when his day was ended on 29 minutes. Made six tackles, the last of which drove Will Skelton backwards.
Caelan Doris - 7
Carried more than any other Leinster player, even if he couldn't make any of his trademark big breaks. Joint high 16 tackles, but it was his penalty concession that saw Leinster lose momentum at 17-0 ahead.
Josh van der Flier - 7.5
Like Doris, logged 16 tackles, and also came up with two turnovers at big stages, while it was his harrying at a maul which saw La Rochelle cough up possession in the second half. Filled in on throwing duties with a perfect dart to the tail of the lineout two minutes from time, but Leinster couldn't make it count.
Jack Conan - 8
Brilliance from the number 8 to spot space at the front of the lineout for the opening try, while he burst a La Rochelle defender backwards from the restart. Was Leinster's best ball-carrier before coming off on 59 minutes.
Replacements
Michael Ala'alatoa - 5
Made eight tackles and got always looked to get on the ball during the second half, but made his big errors at bad times. His red card was deserved, and realistically proved to be the ending of the game, while he was lucky not to be yellow-carded before La Rochelle's winning try, after playing the jumper early at a lineout.
Jason Jenkins - 6
Played 50 minutes due to James Ryan's first-half injury, but struggled to really impose himself on the game.
Ryan Baird - 6
Got onto the ball a couple of times in Leinster's late attacking charge, but much of his cameo was spent holding the line in defence.
Charlie Ngatai - 6
Only played 15 minutes, on for the injured Henshaw, but did come up with one impressive tackle/turnover.
Cian Healy, Rónan Kelleher and Luke McGrath - not on long enough to be rated
