Leinster 52
Connacht 17
One win from Connacht in the last decade shows how just tough it has been to take a victory in the capital, and it was no different last evening in the Aviva Stadium.
Stuart Lancaster’s side had their moments in the opening half, but it was all Leinster in the second 40 minutes - Connacht not even registering a point as they struggled against the speed of their opponents in all areas of play. It certainly hampered their defensive effectiveness in that second half as Leinster finished with eight tries to Connacht’s two.
It ensured Connacht’s record in Dublin remains at just two victories - in 2002 and 2004 - since the start of the URC. But unfortunately this was the second worse defeat in terms of points difference between the two sides and points conceded.
Yet it had been a positive opening half from Connacht, and they were still very much in the fight at the break despite being behind by just two points, 19-17, after Sam Prendergast finished a sustained attack, helped by his influential halfback partner Jamison Gibson-Park.
However, Connacht knew they what they were up against within minutes of the opening - Leinster bagging a try through Dan Sheehan after three minutes, taking advantage of a penalty to tap, and minutes later the concession of a penalty led to the second try after eight minutes - a delightful chip in behind from Sam Prendergast was secured by Charlie Tector to score.
Connacht, not helped by enforced injury changes, but they delivered with their first opportunity. Two successive penalties provided the platform, and from an ensuing maul, hooker Dylan Tierney Martin stretched to the line to secure an opening try after 19 minutes with fullback Sam Gilbert converting and adding a penalty after Leinster’s Joe McCarthy was sin-binned.
It gave Lancaster’s side some impetus as they created several opportunities to score with Leinster’s concession of penalties. However, they were unable to capitalise again until minutes from the break when Dylan Tierney Martin opted for a quick tap, and helped by Joe Joyce and Josh Murphy, Finlay Bealham found space to touch down, Gilbert again converting.
At that stage Connacht looked capable of keeping in touch, but Leinster delivered a real sucker punch on the cusp of half-time when Sam Prendergast scored to put his side into a 19-17 lead at the break.
The second half was a different story - it was all Leinster who added a try within minutes of the restart they Brian Denny, Prendergast converting. It did not get any better for the visitors despite the efforts from Bundee Aki and Paul Boyle, who were stymied at the last hurdle, while Leinster’s scrum was a crucial to their armoury.
Thereafter the home side took control adding tries from Charlie Tector (2 ), and Josh Kenny for a comfortable win.
“We gave them too many chances to attack against us, “ says Lancaster “That was the bottom line - set piece, offloading the ball when it wasn’t on, and we made a bad job worse.
“Obviously if we managed the defence from the line-out, that as the key thing - a try we didn’t need to concede.”
However Lancaster, missing some key players, says the young players in his squad would have gained valuable experience.
“On the bigger picture for Connacht, I am optimistic where we are going, but we are up against a completely different animal in Leinster, where they are going. We have young lads who we missed, so we are bringing on young lads to get experience.”
It does not get any easier for Connacht, who next head to France to face Montpellier in the European competition.
Leinster Rugby: Ciarán Frawley, Tommy O’Brien, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Joshua Kenny, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan (C ), Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, Brian Deeny, Diarmuid Mangan, Will Connors, Jack Conan. Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne
Connacht Rugby: Sam Gilbert, Chay Mullins, David Hawkshaw, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy, Josh Ioane, Matthew Devine, Denis Buckley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, David O’Connor, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (C ), Sean Jansen. Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Billy Bohan, Fiachna Barrett, Darragh Murray, Paul Boyle, Ben Murphy, Harry West, Cathal Forde.
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU )
