Advertisement
Rhys Thomas crosses for the game's first try. Ian Cook/INPHO

A sensational second half Dragons comeback could have ended Leinster's Pro12 playoff hopes

Leinster let a 14-point second half lead slip in Newport.

Dragons 25 Leinster 22

LEINSTER HAVE MADE every Pro12 final since the playoff system was introduced in the 2009/2010 season but after yet another defeat this afternoon, they are unlikely to even make the final four, let alone defend their crown.

They entered today’s game away to the Dragons nine points adrift of the Ospreys in fourth place and desperately needed a win, and or long periods it looked like they would travel back to Dublin with five points.

A few minutes after half time Matt O’Connor’s men led 22-8 and had three tries in the bag, but the Welsh region powered back into the game with three tries of their own to earn a three-point win.

In the end, O’Connor’s decision to rest key internationals such as Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien and Ian Madigan backfired and this latest loss, Leinster’s seventh of the campaign, almost certainly eliminates them from playoff contention.

table

Leinster made a physical start with wing Dave Kearney, who was omitted from the 23 for the Bath game, dropping Welsh international Taulupe Faletau with a strong tackle. His forwards then initiated an effective counter-ruck and Kearney was the first man in to poach the ball.

But the home side, who were impressive in their Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Cardiff last weekend, took control thereafter. Jason Tovey opened the scoring with a penalty after Jack McGrath was penalised at the scrum.

And minutes later, Rhys Thomas crashed over at the back of a rumbling maul. Leinster then almost scored a classy try after a Zane Kirchner offload freed Darragh Fanning on the left touchline. The wing did well to play the ball back inside to Ben Te’o but the supporting centre was driven into touch before he could touch down.

The visitors didn’t have to wait much longer for their first score though, with Gopperth narrowing the gap from the tee after the Dragons were penalised for offside in front of the posts.

Later, the Kiwi had a chance to put Leinster deep in the opposition half but missed touch badly with a penalty. Leinster moved the ball well at times – Jack Conan was particularly destructive going forward – but the Dragons were able to force a couple of key turnovers to keep their line intact.

A searing 30m break from second row Ben Marshall saw Leinster win a scrum 5m from the Dragons line but despite winning a penalty at the first put-in, McGrath was then penalised once again, allowing the visitors to clear.

But the Leinster pressure was finally rewarded on half time as Ben Te’o beat two defenders to dot down a minute before the break.

teo

Not content to end the half, Gordon D’Arcy carried strongly over the gain line in his own territory before Jimmy Gopperth cleverly stepped inside the Dragons rearguard to put the visitors in front.

Te’o extended Leinster’s lead just after the break with a similar score to his first one – the only difference was that his second effort was from 30m out. The Kiwi showed great power to break the defensive line and finished under the posts.

With a 14-point advantage and three tries on the board, it looked like the current champions would kick on but the visitors fought back.

First, centre James Dixon crashed over from close range and then Eoin Reddan – who flirted with a charge-down try against Bath – had his box-kick blocked and James Benjamin touched down.

Luckily for Leinster, Tovey struck the post with a straightforward conversion and they held onto a narrow 22-20 lead. There was also a key sin-binning during that period, with Te’o getting ten minutes on the line for what was judged to be a no-arms tackle.

The home side were able to march down the pitch one more time and wing Hallam Amos gave the decisive pass for Benjamin to cross for his second try.

Tovey missed the conversion but the Dragons held on to deal Leinster’s hope of winning a third successive league crown a massive blow.

One of Toulon’s stars could miss the Leinster match after being hit by a human torpedo

Two former Munster men will be in the Top 14 next season as part of one of France’s richest clubs

Close
111 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sams theman
    Favourite sams theman
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:46 AM

    quite like the old crown paints jersey

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ings on Fire
    Favourite Ings on Fire
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 1:56 PM

    @sams theman: the adidas Carlsberg sponsored jersey should be modernized and made as are home kit that kit scared away teams it was raw

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kian
    Favourite Kian
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 11:31 AM

    That keeper kit is fantastic

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bar
    Favourite Bar
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:44 AM

    Meet the new jersey, same as the old jersey!

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seaniecp
    Favourite Seaniecp
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 11:03 AM

    It’s not bad. I don’t like the way the sponsor logo is white and the crest and NB logo is yellow/gold. Looks strange. It clashes a bit. All white for me id prefer. Anywho. Looks to be last year with new balance. Massive money nike deal looks to be coming. Which is good. Having the same jersey as all nike sponsored teams….. not so good.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Ryan
    Favourite Jack Ryan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 12:02 PM

    @Seaniecp: Bring back Adidas and the three stripes!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Connolly
    Favourite Colm Connolly
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 12:14 PM

    @Seaniecp: the sponsor logo is far too high

    5
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Pocock
    Favourite Conor Pocock
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 1:51 PM

    @Jack Ryan: new balance jerseys have been top notch

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seaniecp
    Favourite Seaniecp
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 1:58 PM

    @Colm Connolly: ya I guess it is really

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Moriarty
    Favourite Brendan Moriarty
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:55 AM

    Paisley-era shirts were all v-neck. This isn’t. #Fail

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sams theman
    Favourite sams theman
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 11:00 AM

    @Brendan Moriarty: in fairness they do say it’s inspired by the jersey not copied

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Govan
    Favourite Peter Govan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 1:20 PM

    @Brendan Moriarty: He would of been 100 this year, read into it .

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Ó'Sionúir
    Favourite Seán Ó'Sionúir
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 12:17 PM

    Can’t wait to see what monstrosities NB have planned for this terms away shirts

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe O'riordan
    Favourite Joe O'riordan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 1:38 PM

    No level of mawkish sentimentality is high enough for this crowd…

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sams theman
    Favourite sams theman
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 1:45 PM

    @Joe O’riordan: https://the42.ie/4591563

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Motley
    Favourite Willy Motley
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 1:45 PM

    @Joe O’riordan: delicious salty tears

    16
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carnac
    Favourite Carnac
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 2:14 PM

    @Joe O’riordan: it’s called tradition.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marty Morrisey
    Favourite Marty Morrisey
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 5:00 PM

    @Joe O’riordan: Spurs new stadium, beautiful, Hazard to Madrid beautiful, Chelsea cash nipple run dry, bea…..

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karl Cranny
    Favourite Karl Cranny
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 5:48 PM

    It looks OK to me, very like the one from last year (which I loved), but with the pinstripes now white. That goalie jersey should have been the away kit IMO.

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.