Hello and welcome along as Champions Cup coverage continues here on The42.
Sinéad Farrell here and I will be taking you through Leinster’s opening clash with Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears in Ashton Gate. There’s plenty of intrigue for this one, as Jordie Barrett prepares to make his debut off the bench after linking up with the Irish province.
Bristol come into this game after a big win over Harlequins in the Premiership last weekend and will be gunning for a shot at Leo Cullen’s side.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we get closer to the 5.30pm kick-off.
8 Dec
4:47PM
Leinster
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Jimmy O’Brien
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Jack Boyle
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Max Deegan
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan (captain)
Replacements:
16. Gus McCarthy
17. Andrew Porter
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. RG Snyman
20. Caelan Doris
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ross Byrne
23. Jordie Barrett
8 Dec
4:49PM
Bristol Bears
15. Rich Lane
14. Jack Bates
13. Kalaveti Ravouvou
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg
11. Gabriel Ibitoye
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Harry Randall
1. Ellis Genge
2. Harry Thacker
3. Max Lahiff
4. James Dun
5. Joe Owen
6. Santiago Grondona
7. Fitz Harding (captain)
8. Bill Mata
Replacements:
16. Gabriel Oghre
17. Jake Woolmore
18. Lovejoy Chawatama
19. Steven Luatua
20. Benjamin Grondona
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joe Jenkins
23. Benjamin Elizalde
8 Dec
5:06PM
Before the action gets underway, have a read of Murray Kinsella’s preview:
Bristol attack first and make a slight break through Benhard Janse van Rensburg swivelling around a tackle with ball in hand.
They were holding the ball well through the first few phases, committed a knock-on but Leinster played on and will have a lineout now as a result of the clearance.
Over to Ronan Kelleher to set them up.
8 Dec
5:35PM
3 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Big turnover for Bristol as Max Deegan has penalty called against him. AJ MacGinty makes the kick and now the hosts will arrange their first lineout
8 Dec
5:38PM
4 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Brilliant tackle from Garry Ringrose on MacGinty to push Bristol back and Leinster pour forward to apply pressure as the ball spills away.
MacGinty is down needing treatment now as a result of that big hit. It looks like he might have to be replaced.
8 Dec
5:40PM
5 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
And MacGinty will have to come off, looking a bit shaky as well. Joe Jenkins comes in to replace him at out-half.
Play resumes with a Leinster scrum, but a penalty is called against them. That’s a blow after gaining huge territory.
8 Dec
5:43PM
7 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Leinster lose possession from the lineout. The Bears move the ball around quickly and hooker tries Harry Thacker to take off but is tripped up by Sam Prendergast.
The referee then awards a penalty against Prendergast for that slide tackle. And now they’ll have a lineout in a dangerous spot where they will look to poke a hole in the Leinster defence.
8 Dec
5:46PM
9 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
The lineout is clean and Rónan Kelleher wins the ball back with some good jackal work. A kick comes to full-back Rich Lane who releases a fine kick return and finds touch with a 50:22.
The lineout, however, doesn’t work out this time and the move ends with a scrum for Leinster.
8 Dec
5:47PM
10 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Leinster are struggling with their scrums as they concede another penalty which allows Bristol to find the corner. They’ll look to create the first real opportunity of the game from here.
8 Dec
5:49PM
13 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
The maul fails them as a knock-on is spotted by the referee and Leinster have the ball again.
They get the scum right this time, but as Jack Conan was running free from the back, the referee lifted his arm to award a penalty to Leinster.
Not much flow in this game so far.
8 Dec
5:51PM
15 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Jimmy O’Brien accelerates up the wing after catching a chip from Prendergast. But as he O’Brien goes to ground, it’s another penalty for Bristol for not releasing. Bristol are back in the Leinster 10-metre line again.
8 Dec
5:52PM
15 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
They execute the lineout well and scrum half Harry Randall opts to dink the ball through and find touch. It’s a Leinster lineout but they will hope to get another turnover from this.
8 Dec
5:53PM
16 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Leinster win a penalty in the middle of the field and Prendergast swings the ball over for another lineout opportunity.
8 Dec
5:54PM
18 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
More frustration for Leinster. Josh van der Flier tries to barrell his way through after colletcing the ball from Kelleher. He loses possession on the ground however and Bristol have the ball again.
It’s still quite scrappy and neither team has established a rhythm yet.
8 Dec
5:56PM
19 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Bristol win another penalty and the referee Pierre Brousset summons the two captains to pass on that message. We’re still in the same patch of Leinster’s half with another Leinster scrum on the way.
8 Dec
5:59PM
21 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Again, they’re penalised during set-piece play. Leinster then get a penalty which Prendergast kicks straight down the barrel. The Bristol defence gets bamboozled by the bounce and the ball eventually trickles out.
8 Dec
6:01PM
24 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Leinster lose possession during their own scrum. The ball is eventually booted down on top of Ciarán Frawley who kicks it clear. Bristol restart the play quickly and the ball comes to Prendergast who sends the ball back with interest.
A poor clearance gives Leinster another chance to find a spark from the lineout.
8 Dec
6:03PM
25 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Prendergast tries an audacious 50:22 kick and it looks like he’s measured it well in the air. But it’s out on the full so it’s back in Bristol’s control again.
Nobody is taking control of this game yet.
8 Dec
6:05PM
27 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Penalty given against Leinster for Jack Boyle coming in at the side. Bristol find the corner and they have a great chance now to get the opening score of the game.
8 Dec
6:05PM
28 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Yellow card for Kelleher. The referee did warn them that he wasn’t happy with the high penalty count.
8 Dec
6:06PM
28 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Relief for Leinster as Bristol are sloppy in possession and Jimmy O’Brien lunges in to reclaim the ball.
8 Dec
6:07PM
28 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
It’s only momentary relief though as Bristol surge through again and the referee has spotted a potential foot trip by Max Deegan. This could be crucial.
8 Dec
6:09PM
28 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Yellow card for Deegan!
Fitz Harding has just broken through with a potential try in front of him. Deegan stuck his boot out and there can be no complaints about that decision.
Leinster are now down to 13. And Bristol are setting up for a maul agin.
The Bristol prop makes Leinster pay for their indiscipline and plows over for the opening score. Benhard Janse van Rensburg converts from close range and Leinster need a response now.
A chip from Prendergast should have been claimed by Rich Lane but the ball bounces out of his hand as he’s sliding to catch. Jordon Larmour catches it in the air and freewheels under the posts. No hassle for Prendergast to tap over the conversion.
8 Dec
6:18PM
39 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Leinster make a change as Gus McCarthy replaces Jordan Larmour while Rónan Kelleher is still in the sin-bin.
Bristol have the ball from a scrum but they knock the ball on in their own half. Leinster seem to have stolen some of the momentum now.
8 Dec
6:20PM
40 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
McCarthy goes off as Kelleher’s time in the sin bin is up. The scrum is reset and the referee then awards a penalty to Leinster. They’re getting into phase play now to see if they can make Bristol blink.
8 Dec
6:21PM
40 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Bristol win the ball back but they knock the ball on again and Leinster regain control. They squander it too though as the half fades out.
An error-strewn first half. Both sides will be disappointed with their mistakes, particularly Leinster at scrum time. Bristol’s handling has been their biggest issue so far.
Two yellow cards to Rónan Kelleher and Max Deegan is another lowpoint for them although Kelleher has returned to the field already.
The second half has just started and Leinster could be in trouble again as Joe McCarthy appears to have tripped Harry Randall.
8 Dec
6:39PM
41 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
The referee decides to show sympathy this time and he informs captain Jack Conan that he will let this one slide as they’ve already been stung by yellow cards. McCarthy is very lucky to avoid the bin.
8 Dec
6:39PM
41 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Barrett is on!
Great news for Leinster fans as their All Blacks signing is on for Ciarán Frawley at full-back.
8 Dec
6:42PM
44 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Good kick from Prendergast to bring Leinster almost to the halfway line. It looks like Andrew Porter and RG Snyman are coming on.
8 Dec
6:44PM
46 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Leinster changes: Porter, Snyman, Thomas Clarkson and Caelan Dorris are all coming in. They take over from Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy and Max Deegan depart.
Meanwhile, Leinster continue to struggle with their scrums as Bristol earn a penalty.
8 Dec
6:47PM
46 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Bristol scrum. The structure collapses and the referee calls the captains again. He’s not happy with set-ups not staying up. He warns them that the next time a scrum falls, someone is going to the bin.
8 Dec
6:48PM
47 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Yellow cards for each team!
The scrum does end up on the ground again and it’s Andrew Porter and Max Lahiff who pay the price.
8 Dec
6:49PM
46 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
So Jack Boyle is back in for the penalised Porter. Conan comes off
8 Dec
6:50PM
47 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
The scrum fails once more and the referee awards a penalty to Bristol in the end. They’re back in Leinster’s half again from the resultant kick.
8 Dec
6:51PM
49 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Leinster have it back after a Bristol knock on while releasing it in the ruck. Leinster execute the scrum and Dorris takes off from the back.
8 Dec
6:53PM
50 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Leinster penalty which Prendergast uses to kick his side further into Bristol’s half of the field. Snyman gathers the lineout and they’re away now.
8 Dec
6:54PM
51 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
The ball is ripped out of Jimmy O’Brien’s hands but it’s a Bristol knock-on so Leinster will look to punish here with a scrum just outside their 22.
The move of the game as Leinster get their lines right, and their timing right with some crisp passing. Prendergast collects from Barrett and fakes a pass beautifully to create open road under the posts.
Now they’re motoring. Much better passing and phase work from Leinster as Barrett continues to have a huge impact on this game by racing under the posts.
Leinster are really opening up their lungs now. Superb break with James Ryan passing to Porter who gives it to Snyman who tears down the field and pops the ball to Prendergast for the final sprint.
Bristol probably should have defended that better but Prendergast is having a day of it now as he converts the bonus-point try.
TRY! Bristol 7-35 Leinster (Josh van der Flier ’63)
8 Dec
7:11PM
65 mins: Bristol 7-35 Leinster
That’s a just reward for van der Flier after a brilliant show of his strength to get over the line. He’s been in great form for both club and country lately.
8 Dec
7:15PM
69 mins: Bristol 7-35 Leinster
Bristol penalty just inches from the Leinster try line. Excellent response from the hosts after that blitz of tries. They’re going to tap and go and see if they can squeeze through.
8 Dec
7:17PM
70 mins: Bristol 7-35 Leinster
Leinster push them back and Bristol keep control of the ball but a pass is knocked on by a stray Leinster hand. They’re not done with this attack yet.
Leinster change: Luke McGrath comes on for Jamison Gibson-Park.
8 Dec
7:18PM
72 mins: Bristol 7-35 Leinster
Leinster penalty!
After all that, Bristol relinquish possession as Clarkson wins the penalty.
And Bristol get their reward as Gabriel Ibitoye uses his pace to collect a dink ball forward from former Connacht player Kieran Marmion. Benhard Janse van Rensburg fails to get the conversion but it’s something on the scoreboard for Bristol’s valiant efforts through the last few inutes.
8 Dec
7:24PM
77 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
Luke McGrath sprints through following a great no look pass from Van der Flier. The road ahead is blocked but because he doesn’t have the support, he ends up giving the ball back to Bristol.
8 Dec
7:26PM
78 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
Bristol penalty from a scrum. It ends up back in Leinster’s paws again after some poor handling and passing.
8 Dec
7:32PM
80 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
There’s been a hold up due to issues with Bristol not having enough players on the field for a scrum. It eventually gets going as Leinster move the ball across the field quickly.
It comes out wide to Garry Ringrose who will be disappointed he didn’t secure the ball and knocks it on.
8 Dec
7:33PM
80 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
Dorris pounces on a Bristol ruck and scores a try on the turn. But the referee is reviewing the footage to check if he was offside when he lunged in.
8 Dec
7:34PM
81 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
And the referee decides that he was offside. So Bristol will look to see if they can find touch and keep the game alive with the clock in the red.
8 Dec
7:35PM
82 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
And they do find touch, although Prendergast is confused as he thought they kicked the ball out on the full.
And in an attempt to find the corner, Bristol kick it out on the full.
It was messy and loaded with mistakes, but Leinster have their win and their bonus point. Tries from Jordan Larmour, Jordie Barrett, Josh van der Flier and two from Sam Prendergast seal the win.
RG Snyman and Barrett made huge contributions from the bench while Prendergast marshalled the unit again with his usual precision.
8 Dec
7:41PM
That’s all from us, folks.
Have a read of Murray Kinsealla’s match report live from Ashton Gate here:
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As it happened: Bristol Bears v Leinster, Champions Cup
Hello and welcome along as Champions Cup coverage continues here on The42.
Sinéad Farrell here and I will be taking you through Leinster’s opening clash with Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears in Ashton Gate. There’s plenty of intrigue for this one, as Jordie Barrett prepares to make his debut off the bench after linking up with the Irish province.
Bristol come into this game after a big win over Harlequins in the Premiership last weekend and will be gunning for a shot at Leo Cullen’s side.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we get closer to the 5.30pm kick-off.
Leinster
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Jimmy O’Brien
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Jack Boyle
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Max Deegan
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan (captain)
Replacements:
16. Gus McCarthy
17. Andrew Porter
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. RG Snyman
20. Caelan Doris
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ross Byrne
23. Jordie Barrett
Bristol Bears
15. Rich Lane
14. Jack Bates
13. Kalaveti Ravouvou
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg
11. Gabriel Ibitoye
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Harry Randall
1. Ellis Genge
2. Harry Thacker
3. Max Lahiff
4. James Dun
5. Joe Owen
6. Santiago Grondona
7. Fitz Harding (captain)
8. Bill Mata
Replacements:
16. Gabriel Oghre
17. Jake Woolmore
18. Lovejoy Chawatama
19. Steven Luatua
20. Benjamin Grondona
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joe Jenkins
23. Benjamin Elizalde
Before the action gets underway, have a read of Murray Kinsella’s preview:
Almost time to go, the teams are out on the field.
Kick-Off! Bristol 0-0 Leinster
2 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Bristol attack first and make a slight break through Benhard Janse van Rensburg swivelling around a tackle with ball in hand.
They were holding the ball well through the first few phases, committed a knock-on but Leinster played on and will have a lineout now as a result of the clearance.
Over to Ronan Kelleher to set them up.
3 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Big turnover for Bristol as Max Deegan has penalty called against him. AJ MacGinty makes the kick and now the hosts will arrange their first lineout
4 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Brilliant tackle from Garry Ringrose on MacGinty to push Bristol back and Leinster pour forward to apply pressure as the ball spills away.
MacGinty is down needing treatment now as a result of that big hit. It looks like he might have to be replaced.
5 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
And MacGinty will have to come off, looking a bit shaky as well. Joe Jenkins comes in to replace him at out-half.
Play resumes with a Leinster scrum, but a penalty is called against them. That’s a blow after gaining huge territory.
7 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Leinster lose possession from the lineout. The Bears move the ball around quickly and hooker tries Harry Thacker to take off but is tripped up by Sam Prendergast.
The referee then awards a penalty against Prendergast for that slide tackle. And now they’ll have a lineout in a dangerous spot where they will look to poke a hole in the Leinster defence.
9 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
The lineout is clean and Rónan Kelleher wins the ball back with some good jackal work. A kick comes to full-back Rich Lane who releases a fine kick return and finds touch with a 50:22.
The lineout, however, doesn’t work out this time and the move ends with a scrum for Leinster.
10 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Leinster are struggling with their scrums as they concede another penalty which allows Bristol to find the corner. They’ll look to create the first real opportunity of the game from here.
13 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
The maul fails them as a knock-on is spotted by the referee and Leinster have the ball again.
They get the scum right this time, but as Jack Conan was running free from the back, the referee lifted his arm to award a penalty to Leinster.
Not much flow in this game so far.
15 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Jimmy O’Brien accelerates up the wing after catching a chip from Prendergast. But as he O’Brien goes to ground, it’s another penalty for Bristol for not releasing. Bristol are back in the Leinster 10-metre line again.
15 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
They execute the lineout well and scrum half Harry Randall opts to dink the ball through and find touch. It’s a Leinster lineout but they will hope to get another turnover from this.
16 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Leinster win a penalty in the middle of the field and Prendergast swings the ball over for another lineout opportunity.
18 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
More frustration for Leinster. Josh van der Flier tries to barrell his way through after colletcing the ball from Kelleher. He loses possession on the ground however and Bristol have the ball again.
It’s still quite scrappy and neither team has established a rhythm yet.
19 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Bristol win another penalty and the referee Pierre Brousset summons the two captains to pass on that message. We’re still in the same patch of Leinster’s half with another Leinster scrum on the way.
21 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Again, they’re penalised during set-piece play. Leinster then get a penalty which Prendergast kicks straight down the barrel. The Bristol defence gets bamboozled by the bounce and the ball eventually trickles out.
24 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Leinster lose possession during their own scrum. The ball is eventually booted down on top of Ciarán Frawley who kicks it clear. Bristol restart the play quickly and the ball comes to Prendergast who sends the ball back with interest.
A poor clearance gives Leinster another chance to find a spark from the lineout.
25 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Prendergast tries an audacious 50:22 kick and it looks like he’s measured it well in the air. But it’s out on the full so it’s back in Bristol’s control again.
Nobody is taking control of this game yet.
27 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Penalty given against Leinster for Jack Boyle coming in at the side. Bristol find the corner and they have a great chance now to get the opening score of the game.
28 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Yellow card for Kelleher. The referee did warn them that he wasn’t happy with the high penalty count.
28 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Relief for Leinster as Bristol are sloppy in possession and Jimmy O’Brien lunges in to reclaim the ball.
28 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
It’s only momentary relief though as Bristol surge through again and the referee has spotted a potential foot trip by Max Deegan. This could be crucial.
28 mins: Bristol 0-0 Leinster
Yellow card for Deegan!
Fitz Harding has just broken through with a potential try in front of him. Deegan stuck his boot out and there can be no complaints about that decision.
Leinster are now down to 13. And Bristol are setting up for a maul agin.
TRY! Bristol 7-0 Leinster (Max Lahiff ’30)
32 mins: Bristol 7-0 Leinster
The Bristol prop makes Leinster pay for their indiscipline and plows over for the opening score. Benhard Janse van Rensburg converts from close range and Leinster need a response now.
TRY! Bristol 7-7 Leinster (Jordan Larmour ’32)
34 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
That’s more like it from Leinster
A chip from Prendergast should have been claimed by Rich Lane but the ball bounces out of his hand as he’s sliding to catch. Jordon Larmour catches it in the air and freewheels under the posts. No hassle for Prendergast to tap over the conversion.
39 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Leinster make a change as Gus McCarthy replaces Jordan Larmour while Rónan Kelleher is still in the sin-bin.
Bristol have the ball from a scrum but they knock the ball on in their own half. Leinster seem to have stolen some of the momentum now.
40 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
McCarthy goes off as Kelleher’s time in the sin bin is up. The scrum is reset and the referee then awards a penalty to Leinster. They’re getting into phase play now to see if they can make Bristol blink.
40 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Bristol win the ball back but they knock the ball on again and Leinster regain control. They squander it too though as the half fades out.
Half-Time! Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Bristol 7-7 Leinster
An error-strewn first half. Both sides will be disappointed with their mistakes, particularly Leinster at scrum time. Bristol’s handling has been their biggest issue so far.
Two yellow cards to Rónan Kelleher and Max Deegan is another lowpoint for them although Kelleher has returned to the field already.
Second half: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
41 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
The second half has just started and Leinster could be in trouble again as Joe McCarthy appears to have tripped Harry Randall.
41 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
The referee decides to show sympathy this time and he informs captain Jack Conan that he will let this one slide as they’ve already been stung by yellow cards. McCarthy is very lucky to avoid the bin.
41 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Barrett is on!
Great news for Leinster fans as their All Blacks signing is on for Ciarán Frawley at full-back.
44 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Good kick from Prendergast to bring Leinster almost to the halfway line. It looks like Andrew Porter and RG Snyman are coming on.
46 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Leinster changes: Porter, Snyman, Thomas Clarkson and Caelan Dorris are all coming in. They take over from Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy and Max Deegan depart.
Meanwhile, Leinster continue to struggle with their scrums as Bristol earn a penalty.
46 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Bristol scrum. The structure collapses and the referee calls the captains again. He’s not happy with set-ups not staying up. He warns them that the next time a scrum falls, someone is going to the bin.
47 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Yellow cards for each team!
The scrum does end up on the ground again and it’s Andrew Porter and Max Lahiff who pay the price.
46 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
So Jack Boyle is back in for the penalised Porter. Conan comes off
47 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
The scrum fails once more and the referee awards a penalty to Bristol in the end. They’re back in Leinster’s half again from the resultant kick.
49 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Leinster have it back after a Bristol knock on while releasing it in the ruck. Leinster execute the scrum and Dorris takes off from the back.
50 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
Leinster penalty which Prendergast uses to kick his side further into Bristol’s half of the field. Snyman gathers the lineout and they’re away now.
51 mins: Bristol 7-7 Leinster
The ball is ripped out of Jimmy O’Brien’s hands but it’s a Bristol knock-on so Leinster will look to punish here with a scrum just outside their 22.
TRY! Bristol 7-14 Leinster (Sam Prendergast ’52)
53 mins: Bristol 7-14 Leinster
Big Sam!
The move of the game as Leinster get their lines right, and their timing right with some crisp passing. Prendergast collects from Barrett and fakes a pass beautifully to create open road under the posts.
He adds the extras with a simple tap over.
TRY! Bristol 7-21 Leinster (Jordie Barrett ’55)
57 mins: Bristol 7-21 Leinster
Now they’re motoring. Much better passing and phase work from Leinster as Barrett continues to have a huge impact on this game by racing under the posts.
TRY! Bristol 7-28 Leinster (Sam Prendergast ’58)
60 mins: Bristol 7-28 Leinster
Leinster are really opening up their lungs now. Superb break with James Ryan passing to Porter who gives it to Snyman who tears down the field and pops the ball to Prendergast for the final sprint.
Bristol probably should have defended that better but Prendergast is having a day of it now as he converts the bonus-point try.
63 mins: Bristol 7-28 Leinster
Leinster change: Gus McCarthy comes on for Kelleher.
63 mins: Bristol 7-28 Leinster
That’s surely a try for van der Flier as he shows great strength and power to go over from a maul. We’re going to the TMO to check.
TRY! Bristol 7-35 Leinster (Josh van der Flier ’63)
65 mins: Bristol 7-35 Leinster
That’s a just reward for van der Flier after a brilliant show of his strength to get over the line. He’s been in great form for both club and country lately.
69 mins: Bristol 7-35 Leinster
Bristol penalty just inches from the Leinster try line. Excellent response from the hosts after that blitz of tries. They’re going to tap and go and see if they can squeeze through.
70 mins: Bristol 7-35 Leinster
Leinster push them back and Bristol keep control of the ball but a pass is knocked on by a stray Leinster hand. They’re not done with this attack yet.
Leinster change: Luke McGrath comes on for Jamison Gibson-Park.
72 mins: Bristol 7-35 Leinster
Leinster penalty!
After all that, Bristol relinquish possession as Clarkson wins the penalty.
TRY! Bristol 12-35 Leinster (Gabriel Ibitoye ’73)
75 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
And Bristol get their reward as Gabriel Ibitoye uses his pace to collect a dink ball forward from former Connacht player Kieran Marmion. Benhard Janse van Rensburg fails to get the conversion but it’s something on the scoreboard for Bristol’s valiant efforts through the last few inutes.
77 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
Luke McGrath sprints through following a great no look pass from Van der Flier. The road ahead is blocked but because he doesn’t have the support, he ends up giving the ball back to Bristol.
78 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
Bristol penalty from a scrum. It ends up back in Leinster’s paws again after some poor handling and passing.
80 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
There’s been a hold up due to issues with Bristol not having enough players on the field for a scrum. It eventually gets going as Leinster move the ball across the field quickly.
It comes out wide to Garry Ringrose who will be disappointed he didn’t secure the ball and knocks it on.
80 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
Dorris pounces on a Bristol ruck and scores a try on the turn. But the referee is reviewing the footage to check if he was offside when he lunged in.
81 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
And the referee decides that he was offside. So Bristol will look to see if they can find touch and keep the game alive with the clock in the red.
82 mins: Bristol 12-35 Leinster
And they do find touch, although Prendergast is confused as he thought they kicked the ball out on the full.
And in an attempt to find the corner, Bristol kick it out on the full.
Full-Time! Bristol 12-35 Leinster
Bristol 12-35 Leinster
A scrappy end to cap off a scrappy game.
It was messy and loaded with mistakes, but Leinster have their win and their bonus point. Tries from Jordan Larmour, Jordie Barrett, Josh van der Flier and two from Sam Prendergast seal the win.
RG Snyman and Barrett made huge contributions from the bench while Prendergast marshalled the unit again with his usual precision.
That’s all from us, folks.
Have a read of Murray Kinsealla’s match report live from Ashton Gate here:
We hope you enjoyed our coverage this evening and look forward to having you with us again soon.
All the best!
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bristol rugby Champions Cup Leinster