Three-time Heineken Champions Cup-winning captain Brad Barritt has praised his side’s battling qualities after Saracens fought back from 10-0 down to defeat Leinster Rugby 20-10 in the showpiece final at St. James’ Park this afternoon. The English side were put on the back foot after an early successful penalty kick by Leinster fly-half Johnny Sexton and try from prop Tadhg Furlong. But Saracens – who were down to 14 men at the end of the first half after back-row Maro Itoje was sent to the sin bin – roared back into contention just before the interval through an Owen Farrell three-pointer and a try from wing Sean Maitland, a score that Barritt described as “pivotal”. “The try was pivotal in terms of the way it changed the momentum of the game," said the 32-year-old. “There was a few words said behind the posts – by Owen [Farrell] in particular – as we were a bit tentative in the first 15 minutes and we hadn’t quite been ourselves. https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1127273672136372226 “It was almost like the Maro [Itoje] yellow card released us and it was really pleasing that we can have a reaction. “I can’t speak highly enough of the leaders around me but more importantly the way the team really responded to a couple of key messages. “A message is only as good as the guys that follow it and we did that. “One thing is for sure – we are going to really enjoy tonight.” https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1127268098002886660 No.8 Billy Vunipola – who scored Saracens’ second try with a power-packed surge – admitted that last season’s quarter-final defeat to Leinster added motivation for the English club to clinch a third continental crown. “It took us losing to them in the quarter-finals last year to motivate us," Vunipola said. "I’m hoping it won’t take that for it to happen again but we are human beings. “Of course, we want to win it again but these moments don’t come around very often and when it didn’t happen last year, we were very upset. “I am going to have a good night tonight with my friends and family.”