Leinster grind down plucky Lions in Dublin
MATCH REPORT: Leinster were made to work hard for their 24-6 win over the Lions in their United Rugby Championship Round Six clash in Dublin on Saturday.
The result means that Leinster are now the only unbeaten side left in this season’s tournament.
The Lions produced a gutsy performance for large periods of the game, but they just didn’t have enough firepower in the second half to really trouble Leo Cullen’s side.
Leinster also dominated possession and territory in the final quarter.
Wet conditions didn’t help the teams and Leinster will be concerned about how the visitors got the upper hand in the set-pieces in the first half.
The story continues below…
Leinster opened the scoring in the third minute with a three-pointer from Sam Prendergast.
The home side dominated possession after that, but the Lions weathered the storm, and they levelled the scores in the 13th minute with a Kade Wolhuter penalty.
The Lions then found themselves in front in the 18th minute when Wolhuter landed a long-range penalty.
Momentum was on the Lions’ side and they had an opportunity to increase their lead minutes later. However, Wolhuter could not find the direction with a 56-metre penalty attempt.
Instead, Leinster fought their way back and after sustained pressure, Josh van der Flier powered his way over the Lions’ tryline in the 32nd minute.
Prendergast converted the score and at half-time, it was 10-6 to Leinster.
The opening quarter of the second half was an arm-wrestle with both teams winning penalties at set-piece time.
Leinster wing James Lowe had the best opportunity to score a try, but he could not control the ball over the Lions’ tryline after chasing a grubber.
However, Leinster eventually scored their second try in the 59th minute when captain Caelan Doris crashed over from close range.
With rain pouring down, handling became difficult on attack.
However, the home side had the final say in the game when they were awarded a penalty try at the death after the Lions collapsed a maul near their own tryline.
The scorers:
For Leinster:
Tries: Van der Flier, Doris, Penalty Try
Cons: Prendergast 2
Pen: Prendergast
For Lions:
Pens: Wolhuter 2
Teams:
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Andrew Osborne, 13 Hugh Cooney, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Max Deegan, 5 Ryan Baird, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Michael Milne.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Smyth, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 James Culhane, 21 Cormac Foley, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Charlie Tector.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Erich Cronje.
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland), Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
