Montauban 17
Leinster 18
A LEINSTER SIDE without their Irish internationals got the new season up and running with a good workout against a Montauban outfit gearing up for another promotion bid in Pro D2.
That bid could be scuppered before it starts next week against Carcassonne as the club faces penalties for apparent breaches of the salary cap.
But they put a good performance as both sides used extended squads in a game with several fiery moments.
Montauban hit the front with a converted try from winger Pierre Klur after eight minutes, but Leinster settled and began building the phases.
James Lowe was prominent at full-back and Joe Tomane wasted little time getting stuck in on his debut as Leinster took the game to their hosts.
Noel Reid pulled back a penalty after 11 minutes after a good phase of play from the European and Pro14 champions.
The heat made the going tough, especially for Leinster, but they pulled the gap back to 7-6 after 17 minutes with another Reid penalty.
Montauban captain Pierrick Esclauze spent 10 minutes in the bin as things got feisty but Leinster were unable to make their numerical advantage count and Jerome Bosviel made it 10-6 at the break with a penalty for Montauban.
Both teams made a raft of changes at the break with Dave Kearney coming in for his first action since suffering a shoulder injury in March.
Rory O’Loughlin edged Leinster, despite a couple of yellow cards for Lowe and Conor O’Brien, in front with a try after 53 minutes — Tomane was well off target with the conversion — before James Tracy got Leinster’s second try after 58 minutes and this time Tom Daly converted to make it 18-10.
Leinster had to withstand a late Montauban rally but the home side got in for a deserved converted try in the final play of decent workout for both sides.
Montauban scorers:
Tries: Pierre Klur, Cyril Guilpin.
Conversions: Jerome Bosviel [2].
Penalty: Jerome Bosviel [1].
Leinster scorers:
Tries: Rory O’Loughlin, James Tracy.
Conversion: Tom Daly [1].
Penalties: Noel Reid [2].
MONTAUBAN: R Swanepoel; P Klur, W Sukanaveita, A Silago, M Debois; J Bosviel, P Graou; E Tekassala, P Van der Westhuizen, B Zanon; P Esclauze, C Dry; S Munoz, J Engelbrecht, A Domenech.
Replacements used: C Guilpin, N Agnesi, S Sergueev, D Vaotoa, Y Ruel Gallay, T Fortunel, B Cadiou, J Facundo, P Tailhades, C Desmoulin, C Vaotoa, C Braendlin, J Maninoa, S Augry, C Briscadieu, F Domenech, A Luatua, P Sayerse, M Mathy.
LEINSTER: J Lowe; A Byrne, R O’Loughlin, J Tomane, B Daly; N Reid, N McCarthy; P Dooley, B Byrne, M Bent; R Molony, I Nagle; J Murphy, R Ruddock (captain), M Deegan.
Replacements used: J Tracy, E Byrne, V Abdaladze, M Kearney, W Connors, J Gibson-Park, J O’Brien, D Kearney, O Dowling, C O’Brien, T Daly, J Kelly, G Mullin.
Referee: Maxime Challon.
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Are the All Blacks that good or are Australia just really bad?
@Harry O’Callaghan: Very difficult to tell and was asking the same question to myself watching the game. All Blacks had moments of undoubted class but some of the Australian play was schoolboy stuff.
@Harry O’Callaghan: …World Cup is what Dave Rennie is working towards and the 2027 one if I picked it up right. Australia are putting together a serious bid for that one….blooded debutant, inexperienced youngsters and I believe will continue to do so. 20 – 22 yr old will be just in their prime then. You can expect a few scores like that I think. However, a serious coach and
@Harry O’Callaghan: far too young a squad to face the ABs. They might have had some chance if o Connor or tomua were there, but as it was they were lacking guile and leadership in every facet of the game.
Australia were shocking bad in the first half. Hoofing the ball for no reason was initial tactic. Couldn’t get more than a few phases without knocking on or giving possession away. Dont think the AB’s broke a sweat.
Australia wants to join the Six Nations – to have a chance of winning some of the games against Italy. I think we know why South Africa wants to join the Six Nations.
Can’t believe delete my comment woke culture