Lowe scores four as Leinster beat Connacht

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Wing James Lowe scored four tries as Leinster produced a commanding display to thrash Connacht Rugby 56-20 in the Champions Cup Round of 16 second leg at Aviva Stadium on Friday.

Leinster secured their place in the quarter-finals with an 82-41 aggregate victory as Jamison Gibson-Park, Robbie Henshaw (2) and Tadhg Furlong crossed in addition to Lowe’s quadruple.

Connacht were ultimately outclassed over the two legs, but managed to dot down through Tiernan O’Halloran, Sam Arnold and Abraham Papali’i.

Flyhalf Jack Carty gave Connacht the lead inside two minutes, slotting a penalty from in front of the posts, but he wasn’t able to repeat the feat a few moments later as he dragged his effort wide.

Connacht made a confident start, but Leinster would score the game’s first try as their first attack set scrumhalf Gibson-Park clear down the right and over the whitewash.

Leinster began clicking through the gears after that, their dominant scrum setting the foundations for centre Henshaw, who spun out of several tackles to cross on 18 minutes.

Another score for the hosts came 10 minutes later as prop Tadhg Furlong powered over from close range, before Connacht suffered another setback as centre Bundee Aki was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.

Leinster immediately punished their opponents, crossing for a fourth try as wing Lowe bundled over after a delightful pass from fly-half Johnny Sexton, who kicked six conversions over the course of the game.

The onslaught continued straight after the break, with Henshaw taking advantage of Leinster’s numerical advantage to go over for his second score of the evening.

Once back up to their full complement, Connacht grabbed their first try of the game, full-back O’Halloran crossing on 46 minutes after a smart pass from Carty.

But Connacht’s Jack Aungier was sin binned moments later, and Leinster continued to produce electric attacking rugby, sending Lowe over for his second try on 55 minutes.

Connacht would get over again through replacement Sam Arnold shortly after, but Lowe completed his hat-trick as he had the legs to cross in the corner after more slick Leinster hands, before a third Connacht try came through Papali’i.

Leinster had the final say as Lowe gathered replacement fly-half Ross Byrne’s kick through and dotted down for his fourth score in the final minute, typifying Leinster’s domination.

Leinster will play the winners of ASM Clermont Auvergne against Leicester Tigers in the quarter-finals.

The scorers:

For Leinster:
Tries: Gibson-Park, Henshaw 2, Furlong, Lowe 4
Cons: Sexton 6, Byrne 2

For Connacht:
Tries: O’Halloran, Arnold, Papali’i
Con: Carty

Yellow cards: Bundee Aki (Connacht, 34); JackAungier (Connacht, 48)

Teams:

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 Josh Murphy, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Michael Ala’alatoa, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Ciarán Frawley.

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 John Porch, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Jack Carty (captain), 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Leva Fifita, 4 Gavin Thornbury, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Matthew Burke.
Replacements: 16 Jonny Murphy, 17 Denis Buckley, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Oisín Dowling, 20 Abraham Papali’i, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Sammy Arnold, 23 Conor Fitzgerald.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Dan Jones (England), Paul Dix (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

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