Ryan Bailey reports from the Aviva Stadium
ANY NOTIONS THAT this renewal of battle lines would become an extension of last week’s arm-wrestle were quickly dismissed, as Leinster produced an intoxicating festive showing to remind everyone just why they’re the defending European champions.
A six-try dismissal of Bath ensures Leo Cullen’s side stay hot on the heels of Toulouse in Pool 1, with the two four-time winners of the competition set for a mouth-watering showdown at the RDS in round five after Christmas.
Leinster had yet to hit top gear during their title defence hitherto, losing in Toulouse in round three and having to roll up the sleeves to get the job done in Bath last week, but they had no such problem here, sending out a major statement of intent.
The province needed a response after Toulouse had earlier stretched their advantage at the summit of the pool to seven points with a big win over Wasps, and Cullen’s side duly obliged in front 40,261 at the national stadium.
Leinster had the bonus point wrapped up before the interval, as the wind and rain briefly relented to allow the hosts dominate up front — with James Ryan to the fore — and rectify the breakdown issues which pockmarked their performance last time out.
With success in the collisions, and quick ball providing the platform, Johnny Sexton — as we have come to expect — pulled the strings with masterful precision, being the fulcrum of several wraparound moves in the first half, while his crossfield kicking led to two tries.
Cullen’s decision to make three changes in personnel, bringing Jack Conan, Rory O’Loughlin and Adam Byrne into the side, was vindicated as all three crossed during a dominant first half, while also adding so much more.
James Lowe added his fifth European try in Leinster colours, while Dan Leavy and Jamison Gibson-Park also got on the scoresheet as the province strolled to an 11th straight victory at the Aviva Stadium.
“I thought we were better around the contact area,” Cullen said afterwards. “And we knew about the threats they have in their team, but it’s one thing knowing about it but then it’s actually about how we deal with it.
“We didn’t deal with it particularly well at times last week. Definitely better in the contact area, even though we gave away a penalty and three points at the start of the game for not being able to clear some of the threat.
“Overall, I thought we played with a lot more attacking intent and we were able to move Bath around a little bit more. Thought the guys were very clinical in terms of taking some of the opportunities, particularly in the first half.”
Sexton was at his peerless best, Garry Ringrose continues to be a class above in the 13 jersey, James Ryan made 14 big carries and Jordan Larmour, who relished his switch to fullback, was outstanding throughout, making 90 metres with ball in hand.
O’Loughlin, meanwhile, took his opportunity with an impressive showing in midfield, the former St Michael’s man marking his 50th appearance for the province with a first-half score after a brilliantly executed loop move involving Sexton, Ringrose and Larmour.
With Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell in the stands, it was a big night for the 24-year-old.
“I thought Rory did very well,” Cullen said of the man of the match.
“He took his try very well in the first half. I thought he was very strong in the carry, fights through the contact well. We talked yesterday about the relationship there from the end of last season when he stepped in at 12. He’s had the experience, even though he hasn’t started that many games.
“Thought he performed very well in that role at the tail end of last season, and it was a really positive step for Rory today so delighted for him.”
Overall, Cullen was pleased to come away with the five points as Leinster now turn their attention to three consecutive Pro14 inter-pros over the Christmas and New Year period, starting with Connacht’s visit to the RDS next Saturday.
“There are lots of things we can get better at,” the head coach insisted.
It’s good we have everyone back together now and we’re able to build in this block. We’ve huge inter-pro games coming up, so our attention changes back to a different competition. Park Europe, and we’ll see where everyone sits after the weekend. There is lots of exciting rugby coming up.
On Toulouse, Cullen added: “They seem to be travelling very well. The mix that they have of big ball carrying forwards who are able to manage contact on their terms and get the ball away, it’s very much classic Toulouse.
“Some of the backs they have, there is a lot of pace and very, very skilful as well. They’re going to be a handful and obviously still sitting pretty at the top of the pool so we know we have plenty of work to do.”
Tadhg Furlong and Josh van der Flier, meanwhile, were withdrawn early in the second half after ‘struggling a bit during the week’, but Cullen reported no major injury concerns.
“I think we’ve come out reasonably okay from what I’ve seen so far.”
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Much better from Leinster.
Controlled the tempo.
Great to see Adam Byrne playing well.
@Oran Burns: im critical of Adam Byrne, I often say how, for a winger, he does not finish many tries (albeit he sets up many), great to see him get that try, and oh what a try it was, loved how it was plucked from heaven, shrugged off opposition aggressively and dotted down. Well done young man, well done sir.
@SPQH: I’ve always liked him. Right wingers tend not to score as many tries as left wingers, weird stat, prob has something to do with majority of 9′s / 10′s being right handed or something, i don’t know exactly.. You’re right though, he does make a lot of tries which shows great work rate to get involved. I haven’t watched the match from today yet (work) but the main work on’s for him (imo) are is his fielding and defending. How’d he get on today?
@Patrick Heavey: his try can from an excellent catch from a long cross field kick from Sexton. He was solid otherwise and showed good feet a couple of times.
Larmour was brilliant. How many breaks and class offloads did he make. It’s scary how good he could become. Delighted for ROL and Adam Byrne, both players needed this boost
Can’t wait for the 12/01, I have no doubt we will win, with a bonus point to secure home quarter. The French don’t travel well
@Fred McHugh: Toulouse just thrashed Wasps away from home last week. They beat Leinster and they have a proud history in Europe that they want to make relevant on the pitch again. Given their current form home and away, and motivation. I’ll take a win full stop. Let’s not underestimate them again. Toulouse are back and long may it last.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: that was a great game but Wasps are not a force this yr. No one is underestimating Toulouse but they are not the favourites to win in Dublin.
@SPQH: Where did I say ‘Wasps are a force this year’? I said they got an away win in Europe which, regardless of the opponent, is a mark of good form in rugby.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: but they are still behind Leinster. End of.
@Peter Brophy: End of what? Your disposition to argue, clearly not the debate as long as the table says otherwise.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: Leinster should beat Toulouse in Dublin but let’s not make any mistakes this is a serious team were dealing with, and to be fair a lot of teams can put it to us when its bad wheather and a physical game. Toulouse played us at our own game and won.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: by insinuating thrashing Wasps makes Toulouse the be all end all, I thought that sounded like you had Wasps on a pedestal. But I probably just misunderstood, had a couple of pints after the game so….
@Peter Brophy: the champions cup table says different.
@Lorcan Oreilly: on paper we can beat them at home and there’s nothing to say we can’t, but they can also come and win. But if we do win we’d be on equal wins but our points difference and the bonus points gained are well ahead so we should be good, a big IF we beat them.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: you are such a tosser
Wasps at home and Leinster at home are completely different propositions. Toulouse barely beat us in Toulouse. I believe that Leinster in the RDS will be must stronger.
Shaping up that Pool 2 & 5 will only have one team leaving them (pending tomorrows results). Leinster ticking nicely but what a mega match v Toulouse in January
The 3 changes from last week all made big impacts, and the backrow looked much better balanced with Conan back there. Decent performance in terrible conditions.
Great performance again from Leinster. The weather though was bloody awful but how good was the Lansdowne pitch.
Toulouse have played well this season yet I feel a certain amount of perspective is needed. Bath butchered multiple chances to beat them at the Rec, they scraped past Leinster who were far from 100% in France. They beat a Wasps side back to back who have played this year like a team who know they’ll be going their separate ways in June. If Leinster can muster two good performances in the last two games then I think a home quarter should be in the bag.