Leinster 50
Gloucester 14
LEINSTER RAN IN seven tries, including two apiece for Jordan Larmour and Max Deegan, to register their first victory of pre-season against Gloucester at St Mary’s RFC tonight.
With the likes of Rob and Dave Kearney, captain Isa Nacewa and Jordi Murphy back within the ranks, Leo Cullen’s side blew off any cobwebs with a hugely commanding performance, capped by the impressive impacts made by Larmour, Deegan and Hugo Keenan.
After defeat in Perpignan last week, this was always going to mark a step up in Leinster’s pre-season preparations and they duly entertained the large crowd under the lights at Templeville Road.
Deegan crossed either side of half time and second-half replacement Larmour enhanced his growing reputation further with two excellent finishes, the second of which stood out after he raced onto Cathal Marsh’s chip in behind before volleying on and dotting down.
Keenan rounded off the scoring in the final 10 minutes with Bryan Byrne and Nacewa setting the eastern province on their way with first half scores.
It took the hosts just three minutes to take control of the contest and although Gloucester cut the early deficit to five points through Henry Purdy, Leinster pulled away to take a 19-7 advantage into the interval.
Cullen made a raft of changes for the second half having given both Kearneys, Murphy and Nacewa some valuable game time but there was no let up from Leinster as their young guns ripped Gloucester apart.
With practically his first touch, Larmour gathered on the left after a powerful lineout maul and cut inside to score before adding his second 10 minutes later.
There was also a big first shift in blue from Australian Scott Fardy in the second row with the performance and result setting Leinster up nicely for their final pre-season workout against Bath at Donnybrook next Friday.
LEINSTER: 15. Rob Kearney, 14. Hugo Keenan, 13. Adam Byrne, 12. Isa Nacewa (captain), 11. Dave Kearney, 10. Ross Byrne, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Peter Dooley, 2. Bryan Byrne, 3. Michael Bent, 4. Ian Nagle, 5. Scott Fardy, 6. Josh Murphy, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Max Deegan
Replacements: 16. Sean McNulty, 17. Ed Byrne, 18. Vakh Abdaladze, 19. Oisín Dowling, 21. Charlie Rock, 22. Cathal Marsh, 23. Ian Fitzpatrick, 24. Oisín Heffernan, 25. Mick Kearney, 26. Will Connors, 27. Barry Daly, 29. Fergus McFadden, 30. Jordan Larmour.
GLOUCESTER: 15. David Halaifonua, 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Ollie Thorley, 10. Owen Williams, 9. Willi Heinz (captain); 1. John Afoa, 2. Henry Walker, 3. Fraser Balmain, 4. Ed Slater, 5. Jeremy Thrush, 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Freddie Clarke.
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He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)