GETTY The Champions Cup final will take place at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao

The former England boss completed his coaching resurrection from the ruins of the 2015 World Cup as Leinster became only the second side after Saracens to go through an entire European Cup campaign unbeaten. They took the lead for the first time in a tense contest with just 95 seconds left through a penalty from Isa Nacewa, who took over kicking duties in the closing stages when Johnny Sexton cramped up, after Racing had been caught offside. If Nacewa, the 35-year-old captain and part of the Leinster firmament, was a fitting match-winner then Lancaster was the man the team were all embracing afterwards.

GETTY Teddy Thomas and Virimi Vakatawa

He said: “It’s not about vindication but it means a huge amount to me, my family and friends. They are the ones who stood by me in those tough times after the World Cup.” Lancaster’s arrival as senior coach has been the key factor in restoring Leinster to the top of the European game. He wanted to create a team for all seasons and after playing some great attacking rugby on the way to the final they had to show the other string to their bow against resilient Racing. When European club rugby bosses took the decision to stage the final in Spain they would not have expected a rain-affected scrap-athon. The conditions assisted Racing’s massive pack in slowing the game and turning it into a chess match for the 52,000 crowd.

GETTY Leinster beat Racing 92 to secure the crown

Racing coped manfully with the disruption of losing their two main stand-offs before, and shortly after, kick-off. Dan Carter, named on the bench, failed a fitness test, then Pat Lambie limped off in the third minute. That left Remi Tales to marshal operations but fortunately he had the excellent Teddy Iribaren as his half-back partner.