Leinster thump Stade to earn knockout spot
MATCH REPORT: Leinster confirmed their spot in the Champions Cup Round of 16 with a composed victory over Stade Francais in Round Three of the Champions Cup, wing Jordan Larmour and No. 8 Caelen Doris both getting braces.
James Lowe kick-started the scoring in his first game since the World Cup last year.
Lowe’s 17th minute score was the first of three first half tries from the hosts, with 2022 EPCR Player of the Year Josh van der Flier grabbing the second and hooker Dan Sheehan the third on the stroke of half-time.
Larmour and Doris both grabbed second half braces, with Larmour starting off the scoring after just four minutes as he finished off a move which started with a stunning break by centre Garry Ringrose.
A difficult situation for Stade Francais turned into an even worse one when Doris forced himself over just two minutes later, and he added a second to his personal tally with 20 minutes remaining. Larmour then added a seventh and final try 13 minutes from time.
It was a good day for Sam Prendergast as the young replacement flyhalf came on for the second period to kick three of four possible conversions. Ciaran Frawley, who started the game at flyhalf, was only able to convert one in the first-half and departed injured.
For Stade Francais, there was little consolation – even if Joris Segonds was able to go over with the last play of the game, Zack Henry converting.
Leinster play Leicester Tigers next weekend, while Stade Francais will hope to produce a better performance at home to Stormers.
Scorers:
For Leinster:
Tries: Lowe, Van der Flier, Sheehan, Larmour 2, Doris 2
Cons: Frawley, Prendergast 3
For Stade Francais:
Try: Segonds
Con: Henry
Teams:
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Garry Ringrose (captain), 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Ciaran Frawley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Michael Ala’alatoa, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Tommy O’Brien
Stade Francais: 15 Leo Monin, 14 Peniasi Dakuwaqa, 13 Stephane Ahmed, 12 Noah Nene, 11 Kylan Hamdaoui, 10 Zack Henry, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Giovanni Habel-Kuffner, 7 Ryan Chapuis, 6 Mathieu Hirigoyen (captain), 5 JJ van der Mescht, 4 Pierre-Henri Azagoh, 3 Hugo N’Diaye, 2 Lucas Peyresblanques, 1 Clement Castets,
Replacements: 16 Mamoudou Meite, 17 Vasil Kakovin, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Giorgi Tsutskeridze, 20 Andy Timo, 21 Jules Gimbert, 22 Paul Gabrillagues, 23 Joris Segonds
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (ENG) & Gareth Holsgrove (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)
Source @EPCR
