Veteran rugby writer puts the boot into 'boring and dreadful' Leinster

Not one for mincing his words veteran Sunday Times rugby writer Stephen Jones has once again kicked up and online frenzy with his brutal assessment of Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup final loss to Union Bordeaux-Begles.

Outside of the opening five minutes in which they took a 7 – 0 lead, the Irish province simply could not match the physical intensity with which Bordeaux played.

Dominating the gain line and winning nigh-on every 50:50 contest, the reigning champions ensured that the Champions Cup would remain in French possession for a sixth consecutive season.

Labelling the Irish side ‘boring and dreadful’, Jones instantly caught the ire of Leinster fans online.

Bordeaux have carried this Euro final on their own. Leinster – after their usual endless run of home games – have been boring and dreadful. So too their helplessly biased commentators. We knew during the Lions tour that too many of their players have gone well over the top.…

— Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) May 23, 2026

Accusing Jones of ‘trolling’ one user shot back at Jones pointing out the impressive nature of Leinster’s ability to routinely feature at the business end of the season.

At the risk of feeding a troll, are you suggesting it’s Leinster’s fsult for repeatedly winning their games?

— Bmcd (@brianmcdonagh) May 23, 2026

Mirroring this sentiment, other accounts were quick to support this sentiment that instead of being attacked online, Leinster should be lauded for their efforts.

Stephen, getting to that many consecutive finals in a row should be shown respect, especially taking into account the psychological aspect. They’ve lost by a few points in most. You sounds like you’ve had a few too many. Odd and out of touch.

Love from a Munster fan x

— Eggwan (@eggbeg101) May 23, 2026

Why are you so bitter about Leinster and home games? They earned them by winning all their pool matches every year. But yes they were the inferior team today. No shame in that. UBB on another level

— John Rooney (@JohnRooney68) May 23, 2026

The next final needs the two teams that have won the knockouts to be in the final. Last time I checked that’s how European Cup rugby works. Huge credit to Bordeaux – the best team by a distance. I’m no Leinster fan, but your bitterness and bias is embarrassing and predictable!

— SMc (@SMc_1974) May 23, 2026

Whilst there was plenty of support for Leinster’s efforts, not everyone was in agreement that routinely featuring in finals but coming up short was quite worthy of praise.

Agreed on the commentary. Just mutable. I plead that in the knockout rounds neutral international feed, please. 1st try by Leinster the voice and hyperbole like it was the greatest try in history. 5 tries by UBB and the ankle snapping skill by LBB was only one with wow.

— Flatlander G (@m_r_goodfe) May 23, 2026

That’s true to a point, Leinsters execution let them down though also.

— Barrington Orr (@YorkshireIFA) May 23, 2026

Not sure many of the other sides in the Province nor in Glasgow who operate on a substantially lower budget will be shedding any tears for the most over funded side outside of the Saffers in the URC. We all may have our differences, but the errors in the final were catastrophic.

— Michael Gibb (@brand3michael) May 23, 2026

Parking their Champions Cup disappointment, Leinster will need to refocus on defending their United Rugby Championship with their first assignment being the Lions in Dublin this Saturday in the quarterfinals.