Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Leinster’s Champions Cup clash with Northampton Saints from the Aviva Stadium.
Ryan Bailey here to guide you through all the action as it happens while Sean Farrell is in position, in plenty of layers, at the ground.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm, but before then we’re over here following the closing stages of Connacht’s tense battle with Wasps.
Not long until kick-off at Lansdowne Road and with the atmosphere and anticipation building, let’s take a final look at the teams for tonight.
Leo Cullen was forced into two changes from the side that beat tonight’s opponents last week, with Rob Kearney and Joey Carbery both missing through injury. Zane Kirchner and Ross Byrne are including in the starting XV.
Leinster:
15. Zane Kirchner
14. Adam Byrne
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Isa Nacewa
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Hayden Triggs
6. Sean O’Brien
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. James Tracy
17. Cian Healy
18. Michael Bent
19. Rhys Ruddock
20. Jack Conan
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Noel Reid
23. Rory O’Loughlin
Northampton Saints:
15. Ahsee Tuala
14. Ken Pisi
13. George Pisi
12. JJ Hanrahan
11. Tom Collins
10. Steve Myler
9. Nic Groom
1. Ethan Waller
2. Charlie Clare
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Api Ratuniyarawa
5. James Craig
6. Jamie Gibson
7. Calum Clark
8. Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16. James Fish
17. Alex Waller
18. Paul Hill
19. Michael Paterson
20. Ben Nutley
21. Tom Kessell
22. Rory Hutchinson
23. James Wilson
Incredible finish in Galway! A late try and a superb touchline conversion from Jack Carty sees Connacht snatch victory right at the death.
All our focus is now on the Aviva Stadium and Pool 4.
Leinster can consolidate their position at the top of the group with back-to-back victories over the Premiership side. This is how things stand ahead of kick-off:
Just about set in Dublin with both teams ready and waiting in the tunnel area. A crowd of around 40,000 expected here tonight on what is a chilly December night in the capital.
Kick-off! Ross Byrne gets us underway.
Early possession for Leinster and they’re keeping ball in hand before Luke McGrath sends it up field with the box-kick.
Toner charges down Nic Groom’s attempted clearance kick and van der Flier charges through to hack it on — but the flanker is unable to gather it and the chance is gone as Northampton desperately filter back.
Solid attacking platform provided by the lineout and a strong rolling maul. Leinster charging into the tackles and attacking with great purpose. Into the fifth phase already and the Saints are stretched.
Try yes or no?
Leinster work it out wide to Byrne and he looks to have finished it in the corner.
TRY! Leinster 5-0 Northampton (Byrne)
And the TMO confirms that Byrne got that down under pressure from the cover tackle. That’s the UCD man’s sixth try of the season and just reward for Leinster’s fast start.
Nacewa, meanwhile, is unable to add the extras from this near touchline.
Leinster forced to do a bit of defensive work for the first time and they concede the penalty for crossing. It gives Saints the opportunity to get their first points on the board.
But Myler snatches at that and Northampton remain scoreless. That was the out-half’s first miss of the European campaign and it was a particularly bad one. A let-off for Leinster.
Adam Byrne opened the scoring with a nice finish in the corner.
Northampton have responded well and they’ve enjoyed a bit of territory during the last few minutes. The Saints are just beginning to ask questions of Leinster’s rearguard and Sean O’Brien is penalised for not rolling away on that occasion.
PENALTY! Leinster 5-3 Northampton (Myler)
Myler makes no mistake this time and the Saints are on the board. The visitors have responded incredibly well to that early Byrne try and they’ve worked their way back into the contest.
Leinster concede another penalty and they’re getting on the wrong side of Romain Poite. Stephen Myler has called for the kicking tee again.
Penalty! Leinster 5-6 Northampton (Myler)
He’s found his radar now! Myler dissects the posts and Northampton have the lead for the first time.
Brilliant from Luke McGrath to gather the restart and good work from van der Flier to keep the momentum going.
But it all breaks down soon after as Kirchner isn’t on the same page as Byrne and his pass sails into touch on this near side.
Northampton are penalised for being offside and Byrne trots over to kick for touch.
Cronin finds Heaslip and Leinster set the rolling maul in motion. It’s well-defended by the Saints but Leinster have go forward ball.
TRY! Leinster 5-13 Northampton (Pisi)
Unbelievable! Leinster are inches from the Saints line as Byrne makes another powerful burst. McGrath looks to capitalise and throw it wide but his pass is intercepted by Pisi and the winger has the freedom of Dublin to run under the posts.
The referee is going upstairs to double-check he wasn’t offside and finally it’s awarded.
That is a huge score and Myler adds the extras from under the posts. A 14-point turnaround — how big will that prove to be?
Leinster eager to regain control of this game and they win the penalty after Gibson was penalised at the lineout. Nacewa points to the posts.
Penalty! Leinster 8-13 Northampton (Nacewa)
Nacewa slots that over nicely and Leinster keep things ticking over with a 25th minute penalty.
Much better from Leinster as they put Northampton under pressure and eventually win the turnover penalty. Byrne takes it quickly and kicks crossfield where Adam Byrne is in acres of space — but the bounce of the ball is unkind and it goes into touch.
TRY! Leinster 15-13 Northampton (Luke McGrath)
Just what the doctor ordered! McGrath tricks the Northampton defence and instead of giving it, ducks inside and weaves through the tackles to dart over the line. It all came from a sustained period of Leinster pressure.
TRY! Leinster 22-13 Northampton (Byrne)
That’s two in quick succession for Leinster and two for Adam Byrne! Ringrose forces Pisi to knock on in contact and Byrne collects the loose ball and has too much pace and power for the exposed Saints defence as he runs it in from 40 yards out.
Leinster right on top now. Heaslip with the sort of unheralded work around the breakdown that has made him such an influential player both in green and the blue of Leinster. Five minutes until the break.
Another charge down by McGrath but just when it looks like the scrum-half is going to collect the loose ball to dot down, Groom comes across and just does enough to force the fumble.
Big hit on Henshaw but Leinster retain possession and chip away at Northampton. With advantage coming, Byrne looks crossfield again but his kick isn’t as accurate as last week and the Saints deal with it.
TRY! Leinster 27-13 Northampton (O’Brien)
Bonus-point secured before half-time as JVDF gathers the lineout, the pack make the yards and then O’Brien tunnels his way through to dive over.
Back underway in Dublin. Northampton have made one change with Pisi being replaced by Rory Hutchinson.
TRY! Leinster 36-13 Northampton (Furlong)
That’s number five! Wave after wave of pressure from Leinster eventually tells as Furlong applies the finish with a powerful burst towards the line.
Leinster are running riot now. Cronin shows great pace to scythe through the Northampton defence and into midfield. Joe Schmidt, meanwhile, receives a big ovation when he’s shown on the big screen.
TRY! Leinster 43-13 Northampton (Cronin)
So, so easy. Cronin starts, and finishes the move in the corner as Leinster score their sixth try. Byrne takes on the kicking duties and nails it from the touchline.
With the points sealed, Leo Cullen has changed his entire front row while Adam Byrne is also replaced by Rory O’Loughlin. Tracy, Healy and Bent also on.
Northampton under all sorts of pressure again and Jamie Gibson is sent to the bin for illegally stopping Leinster in their tracks. The hosts opt for another scrum, 10 metres out.
TRY! Leinster 48-13 Northampton (Nacewa)
The blue flags are flying again as Nacewa gets in on the act as it goes wide. The captain ducks inside and shows great power to get the ball down under pressure. Byrne’s conversion is just pushed wide.
An embarrassing evening for Northampton and Jim Mallinder continues to get worse. Down to 14 men, the visitors are in serious danger of leaking more tries here with still over 20 minutes to go.
Luke McGrath receives a big ovation as he is replaced by Jamison Gibson-Park. A fine evening for the recently capped Irish international.
TRY! Leinster 55-13 Northampton (O’Loughlin)
That’s number eight! Leinster make the extra man count as O’Loughlin marks his arrival for Byrne with a try.
The attendance at the Aviva Stadium tonight is 38, 584 — and they’ve certainly had plenty of entertainment, if not a competitive game.
TRY! Leinster 60-13 Northampton (Nacewa)
Oh dear, oh dear. Byrne sends another crossfield kick towards the corner and Pisi should deal with it comfortably but inexcusably fumbles it and Nacewa is on hand to capitalise and score his second of the night.
You’ve got to feel for the Northampton fans who have spent large amounts of money to come over to Dublin a week before Christmas for this.
Leinster, to their credit, are continuing to press and look for more. A truly clinical and ruthless performance.
Sean Cronin named man of the match.
Full-time! Leinster 60-13 Northampton
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Just abysmal. Some of the players look like they know theyre done.
Oles face in the interview said it all. He wasnt pleased.
@Gavin Mitchell: it’s bullshit Anderson was the deserving man of the match should of had two goals from play not penalty’s that’s a true player
@Ings on Fire: agree anderson or rice for me motm.
@Derek Trotter: thanks Derek it’s sad to see some deluded United fans who think pogba is a leader for slotting two pens
@Ings on Fire: pogba was alright today tbf hes no leader but in todays game not many tony adams john terry stevie g or roy keanes about.
@Derek Trotter: u hit the nail on the head there Derek
@Gavin Mitchell: hi Gav,,, so how was the midfield today???? After the win!!! Was it abysmal???
@Devilsavocado: Should probably bring you up to speed. Im not communicating with you ever again.
Have a nice life.
@Ings on Fire: at least he didn’t slip on his arse
@The Upside-down Triangle: at least liverpool don’t play for top 4 like United
@Ings on Fire: ya they love playing second place!!!
@Gavin Mitchell: don’t be like that!!!! Who else is going to play devils advocate to you???!
@The Upside-down Triangle: can u check the premier league table and tell me who is top o wait what’s the answer
@Ings on Fire: irrelvant unless your top after 38 games. Please do every United fan a favour and not comment any of our articles. I’ll support my club and you can support yours. Thank you.
@The Upside-down Triangle: no bother
@Devilsavocado: You were no devils advocate in my eyes.
You were just a slimy iconoclastic nerf herding dingleberry sasquatch who really angered me with your pathetic attempts to humiliate my belief the Utd midfield did what they were supposed to do at an efficient level.
And dont try and play the whole Dr. Wisdom act, because I aint buying it.
Move along.
@Gavin Mitchell: so,, you don’t like being called out on your opinions of the game that “you” think you have a genius level IQ of,, I’ve seen some of your comments to other people over the season that dare to have a different opinion to yours and witnessed the disdain you show anybody (myself included) that what Gav says is gospel and nobody else is allowed to call you or disagree on anything you say because you know it all,, your opinions are constantly contradicting each other (like the other night) but hey Gav,,, you know it all and other people’s views are always wrong,, you are the worst type of football fan because your love for the club is blinding,,, you really should stick to the rugby pal…..;)
Utd woeful again sheer luck and dodgy decisions there best players, Ole Rubin his hands with that contract right now, will b gone before end of next season, if Jose had half his luck he’d still b there
@Dougal67: jose was a negative influence on utd . That squad of players aint good enough to win top prizes hence needs a positive manager. Give ole a chance, i take it ya dont follow utd so? Ole needs a few transfer markets. Take klopp for example hes 3/4 years into his project hasnt won anything but is very close.
@Derek Trotter: “ain’t good enough” to b outplayed west ham watford and the rest at home??? R u serious? Billion pound squad can’t play decent football and dominate games, you’d swear he took over Cardiff!!! He’ll b gone next season, Jose was a bad influence no doubt but Ole has the luck of the gods on his side it won’t last forever
@Dougal67: aw man, you wrote the same comment on the live blog, talk about desperation and clicks from anyone but united fans, write singing original about the game besides writing the same dribble on all United articles.
@Dougal67: your correct they where out played in them games but theres been games which they ve outplayed teams. Can ole not get a transfer window or two ? Yet again ill use klopp as the example, look at the players hes added in his time. Do other managers not deserve the same time ? Or at utd do you have to simply win every game and dominate ?
@Dougal67: by a billion pound squad im guessing you rate the players but not the managers ( ole/jose) ? I personally would suggest players aint good enough and utds board should except money has been badly spent
@Derek Trotter: Agreed Don’t rate players and signings have been horrendous 90m for show pony being the biggest disaster, just think he’s gettin a lot of credit for not v much, and klopp never took over a billion pound squad! Like I said he didn’t take over Cardiff? I could manage that squad to win a few games, without the games he’s won with being outplayed ie 4 /5 of his last prem wins and gettin thru v PSG would he have a contract??
@Alan Brazil: Good u can read well done you..
I had this conversation on here regarding Jose and he’ll flop and be gone before year out and was hammered down again by theredtinted brigade, right then will b again regarding Ole?
@Dougal67: no if he lost the games hes won he wouldnt of got the contract ??? Lost there ! Klopp has spent well is my point maybe ole will to. You keep mentioning cardiff ? Check out fergusons managerial cv, you might be surprised.
@Dougal67: more dribble
@Dougal67: and some team threatening to win a league this way!
Good win, really needed the 3 points. Pogba took the penalties well, stepped up like a true leader. On to Tuesday we go.
@The Upside-down Triangle: pogba is the opposite of a true leader, in his head he’s bigger than the club.
@The Upside-down Triangle: pogba slotted two penalty’s.anderson got a goal wrongly disallowed west ham were all over them worrying for United
@Ings on Fire: He got the Man of the Match #factsdontlie
@The Upside-down Triangle: for hitting two penalty’s most top level players can do that his not a leader if anything his thinks his better than the club
@Ings on Fire: now say that without crying
@Paul Pogba: you did well to stick the two penos Paulie, fair play!
@The Upside-down Triangle: You can comment when we beat Chelsea tomorrow if u want everyone has the right to an opinion. Thank you
@Ings on Fire: “when we beat Chelsea”.. you’ll be under a rock tomorrow, not giving constructive comments on this, not that you do either way
@Ings on Fire: I read the following article on United, I stand corrected, I put you down as another liverpool hack on United articles. “When we beat Chelsea” looking forward to it
@Ich bin brendan: thanks for the apology
God almighty United were poor. Completely god out if jail with that win. Some tough games ahead. Really need to find some form to get top 4
Referees f*cked us again , so much favoritism towards the top 6. Should have won.
@Bob Joe: should have won in play 100 percent. Rice and anderson top drawer today. They were pennos tbf ..
@Bob Joe: West ham denied a goal as well.. Wasn’t offside. Var can’t come quick enough
@Bob Joe: I whole heartedly agree.
@Chonky Racoon: var got it wrong for utd v psg. Lfc v porto ?? Two var decisions wrong there. Spurs v city roses penno ? Barce v utd was correct. Not so sure var is the answer
@Derek Trotter: united PSG was the correct decision going by the new handball laws. Raise your hands and it’s a penalty. Simple as that
@Anthony: i agree by the law its a penno but if you have played the game even at pub level you know its not a penno. Hence all ex pros dis agreeing with the decision.
@Chonky Racoon: And yet if VAR was in this season Liverpool would be mid table ! Gas isn’t it when you think about it
@David Weston: Is that taking into account the VAR decisions from all premier league games up to now?
He should have got a red card but because its utd he got away it.
@irishred: Dry your eyes mate ……