Leinster 13
Connacht 0
LEINSTER MADE IT six wins in a row in the Pro12 to get 2016 off to a winning start at the RDS.
In the process they extended Connacht’s losing record at the venue to nine defeats from as many visits.
Pat Lam’s men have now lost three league games in a row and face another difficult test when they head to Scarlets next weekend.
Leo Cullen’s men may be out of Europe but even with 11 changes from the side which defeated Munster last weekend, they were on top throughout this one.
Leinster had the wind and rain behind them in the opening half but had to settle for a 3-0 interval advantage after failing to crack Connacht’s defence.
The hosts wasted little time laying out their stall, twice going to the right corner with penalties but Connacht held firm on both occasions.
A third penalty to touch, this time to the left corner, was again repelled but Connacht were pinged and Jonathan Sexton got Leinster off the mark with a penalty in front of the posts after 15 minutes.
Both sides struggled in the conditions and the mistakes kept mounting for both sides.
There were glimpses of the class of Garry Ringrose in the centre for Leinster and he looked a threat with ball in hand going forward.
Dave Kearney, having failed to deal with a grubber from distance by Connacht full-back Tiernan O’Halloran, did well to recover and bundle Niya Adeolokum into touch short of the home line.
Sean O’Brien came on after 52 minutes for his 100th Leinster appearance but, not to be outdone, Connacht brought on their own Sean O’Brien a minute a later when he replaced Jake Heenan.
Dave Kearney created the breakthrough try for Leinster with a good break and while Connacht again got back to smother him, Leinster kept recycling the ball and were rewarded with a favourable decision from TMO Marshall Kilgore after Josh van der Flier got over.
Sexton added the extras and suddenly Leinster were 10-0 to the good after an hour.
That left Connacht, who had only scored three points last weekend against Ulster and five the previous week away to Newcastle Falcons, with a mountain to climb.
Ian Madigan replaced Sexton with nine minutes left and he extended the Leinster lead three minutes later with a penalty from 35 metres to wrap up the win.
Leinster scorersTries: Josh van der Flier
Penalties: Johnny Sexton, Ian Madigan
Conversion: Johnny Sexton
Leinster: Rob Kearney (Zane Kirchner ’76); Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Ben Te’o, Dave Kearney; Johnny Sexton (Ian Madigan ’72), Eoin Reddan (Nick McCarthy ’76); Jack McGrath (Peter Dooley ’71), Richardt Strauss (James Tracy ’61), Marty Moore (Michael Bent ’71); Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy (Ross Molony ’68); Rhys Ruddock (capt), Josh van der Flier, Jordi Murphy (Sean O’Brien ’52).
Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran (Rory Parata ’76); Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy; Jack Carty (AJ MacGinty ’64), Kieran Marmion (Ian Porter ’64); Finlay Bealham (Ronan Loughney ’64), Tom McCartney (Dave Heffernan ’70), Nathan White (Rodney Ah You ’10-15, ’54); Aly Muldowney (Ultan Dillane ’62), Andrew Browne; John Muldoon (capt), Jake Heenan (Sean O’Brien ’53), Eoghan Masterson.
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU).
Leinster deserved it but how was that try awarded?
Clancy has his own rule book (tho he actually wasn’t too bad tonight).
It made my blood boil when he awarded it, thought you had to see a grounding. He must have had X-Ray vision!
Clancy asked the wrong question, judging from the TMO’s emphasis it seemed to suggest he didn’t think it was a try either but could only answer the question he was asked.
The TMO could have said its not a try because the ball wasn’t grounded.
It made no difference Leinster dominated the game from start to finish.
Will you be picketing Keatley tomorrow?
No, Chris since as the TMO said himself it wasn’t “clear and obvious”. The portion we saw where the ball was visible, it was not grounded however it could have been later when the ball became obscured to the cameras. That’s a reason to disallow on the 1st question but not the 2nd.
Clancy should have never asked that question unless he actually saw the grounding of the ball which is difficult to believe when he was in the process of slipping onto his backside at the time.
A rather forgetful game due to a combination of poor weather and George Clancy, so fair dues to the 14,000 who turned up. Also the players for having a real go too. I thought Devin Toner was the best player on the pitch. JVDF with another good game, same for Ringrose. Sean O’Brien is really moving into form. It was also pleasing to see so many young players on the pitch at the end. Top ranked Irish team at the start of the year. Hopefully we kick on and get a home semi.
I’m defrosting as we speak….
I decided against going. Really hate sport in winter
O’Brien looking so sharp. What a period of rest can do for a player! Something Sexton so desperately needs.
O’briens little chip and chase was a joy to behold
Report that doesn’t mention the score. That’s odd or did I miss something
Great to see Sean back and glad he is making me eat my words… Well worth his contract if he can change a game like that. In fairness connacht made a few errors when you would’ve wanted them to turn the screw. Ref made a few poor decisions most notably the try… Shouldn’t have asked the question he did when it was so inconclusive… Though I guess he must’ve thought he saw it grounded at some point. Toner played well a great option on a night like that. Scoreline flattered a bit!
Agreed Leinster were the better team that was not a try but you win some lose some on those. Ref didn’t have control of the break down and Leinster scrum fell apart when jordi went off. I feel for Connacht all the injuries and players coming back it’s hard to regain the super form they had, but when a rotten damp night in Dublin doesn’t suit them it shows how far their play has come and hopefully they will come back stronger next match.
There’s a catalogue of questionable decisions going against Connacht this season!
very poor decision making from the ref there. It annoys me as a Leinster fan because there’s always the question of unfairness after it. If you say the ball can’t be seen them surely it’s no try…..or we’ll be seeing balls up shirts on the line being awarded.
Ringrose was the most effective attacker today, with more clean breaks and defenders beaten than anyone else. Meanwhile VDFlier made 18 tackles (double the next best Leinster player and 6 more than any Connacht player). These 2 lads have some future ahead of them! Hope they’re in the 6 nations squad, even if it’s just as a sub/reserve.
Reddan played so far above his usual level today that I had forgotten he could play that well. Alert and played what was in front of him. Toner is a freak on the lineouts, regardless of his height, needs next week off or at least the first hour, he and McGrath are about the only two who have barely had a break. Sexton’s passing was zippy and he was relatively imaginative, put players into space with his passes. Loved it when he tore the head off DKearney for not being open to the crossfield penalty. Te’o isn’t comfortable with the lack of space at 12. Van Der Flier was just everywhere, he has a great engine. Leinster don’t need to rob Henshaw from Connacht, they need a winger like DTH. Masterson should feel hard done by if Jordi Murphy gets into the 6N squad ahead of him because he beat him up and down the yard today. Muldowney for the 6N squad, terrific engine, good hands. Marmion was disappointing. Connacht need a win in their next game. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s match!
Ridiculous level of refereeing yet again from Pro 12. Idiot asked the wrong question. Why is it always the underdog who gets screwed like this?
Same thing happened in the World Cup. You’d have to wonder why there is an unspoken bias towards traditionally successful teams in rugby.
Connacht will be so good. Thank you Pat Lam. Happy new year.