Advertisement
Jack Conan impressed on an evening when entertainment was in short supply. Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Madigan and Gopperth kick Leinster to hard-fought win over Ospreys

Matt O’Connor’s side move up to fourth in the Pro12.

Leinster 18

Ospreys 12

IT WAS FAR from convincing but Leinster bounced back from last week’s disappointing draw in Italy with a hard-fought victory over a depleted Ospreys side at the RDS on Saturday evening.

A fifth victory of the Pro12 season moves Matt O’Connor’s side up to fourth in the standings but they were made to work hard by the visitors who will be disappointed to leave Dublin with just a point to show for their efforts.

In what was a tight, attritional affair, both sides exchanged blows but Leinster pulled away in the final quarter through the boot of Jimmy Gopperth to consign the Welsh side to their second straight defeat.

Leinster were buoyed by the return of several Irish players but were unable to find any fluidity as Ospreys enjoyed the better of an uneventful first period. The hosts managed to stay in control of proceedings, however, as Ian Madigan and then Gopperth took advantage of the Ospreys’ indiscipline to grind out a narrow win.

Having won their first seven games of the game, Ospreys have come unstuck in recent weeks. To be fair, with Wales in action earlier today and a lengthy injury list, Steve Tandy’s hand has been limited but they gave as good as they got .

General view of the Leinster pack There were few openings during a hotly contested game Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Sam Davies was flawless from the tee as he kicked three first-half penalties to ensure his side kept tabs with Leinster after Madigan, who was playing in midfield alongside Fergus McFadden, had forged a 9-3 lead for the hosts.

Leinster had injuries problems of their own. Matt O’Connor was forced into a late reshuffle before kick-off with both Mike McCarthy and Isaac Boss withdrawing through illness with Tom Denton and Jake McGrath coming in. Then, Madigan was forced off at the break.

Leinster were thankful to some resolute defence and the intervention of the TMO either side of the interval.

Dominic Ryan’s turnover after a period of concerted Ospreys pressure ensured the sides went into the dressing rooms on level terms at 9-9.

Leinster’s rearguard was penetrated far too easily moments after the restart, though.

After Martin Roberts had offloaded to the on-running Aisea Natgoa, the winger waltzed through midfield to touch down under the posts. However, on closer inspection Roberts’ pass was forward and Leinster were given a reprieve.

It was one they took advantage of. Jack Conan’s burst highlighted all his pace and power but just when the crowd were given a reason to get off their seats for the first time, the move broke down yards from the line.

Similarly, Gopperth’s break from deep was thwarted by a brilliantly executed tackle by Davies as Ryan looked to make headway for the line.

As frustration levels grew among the players and crowd, the Ospreys gifted Leinster with an opportunity to pull away in the closing stages.

Gopperth slotted over from just outside the 22 with seven minutes remaining and then made sure of the win with another straightforward effort in the dying seconds.

Leinster will know they’ll need to up their game with a trip to the Twickenham Stoop on the horizon in the Champions Cup.

Leinster penalties: Madigan (3), Gopperth (3)Ospreys penalties: Davies (4)

LEINSTER:

15. Z Kirchner
14. D Fanning
13. F McFadden
12. I Madigan
11. D Kearney
10. J Gopperth
9. E Reddan (c)

1. M Bent
2. B Byrne
3. T Furlong
4. T Denton
5. K Douglas
6. D Ryan
7. J Murphy
8. J Conan

Replacements: J Tracy, P Dooley, J Hagan, B Marshall, R Ruddock, L McGrath, N Reid, G D’Arcy.

OSPREYS:

15. D Evans
14. A Natoga
13. A Bishop
12. H Dirksen
11. T Grabham
10. S Davies
9. M Roberts

1. M Thomas
2. S Parry
3. D Arhip
4. L Peers (c)
5. T Ardron
6. J Bearman
7. S Lewis
8. D Baker

Replacements: S Otten, G Thomas, C Griffiths, R Bernardo, I Jones, T Habberfield, J Matavesi, D Howells.

Referee: Marius Mitrea (France).

Clermont warm up for Munster showdown with hard-fought defeat to Toulon

‘Robbed win’ over Ulster will hold Munster in good stead insists O’Callaghan

Close
40 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kendo90
    Favourite Kendo90
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 6:58 PM

    my god Leinster are dull to watch these days

    264
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O Donoghue
    Favourite Cian O Donoghue
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 7:31 PM

    That is 80 mins I’ll never get back. Awful stuff. Good result for Leinster against their bogey team.

    191
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute serialthriller
    Favourite serialthriller
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 8:47 PM

    Awful to watch. Connacht game is a cracker!

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian Walker
    Favourite Cian Walker
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 7:23 PM

    MOC OUT

    159
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute #COYBIB
    Favourite #COYBIB
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 8:07 PM

    Well the good news is we’re within 4 points of the top of the table with a few juicy head to heads coming up, but again, performance was terrible.

    Makes those two points dropped in Italy last week all the more glaring when we look at how close we could be pushing for top spot.

    The sooner Sexton is back and MOC and Gopperth leave this province the better.

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 8:05 PM

    Not nother cent of my money will be spent on any Leinster product until moc is gone.

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 8:14 PM

    I won’t stand by and watch Leinster fall apart, if the powers at Leinster want to pay Matt O’Connor to destroy everything that Leinster stand for then they can do that without the money I spend.
    I will not protest at Leinster games because the players deserve better but I will do is online and through my wallet

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 10:27 PM

    Frank you can accept what’s happening and blindly follow matt’s army if you like but I want what’s best for Leinster. We have no given right to win trophies but we can demand that Leinster does it’s best and at the moment this man’s is no where near the standard required.
    Buy a Munster jersey? it’s sheep like you that will hand munster the league.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian Walker
    Favourite Cian Walker
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 8:27 PM

    Spoofer O’ Connor has the same game plan for every match

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Conway
    Favourite Joe Conway
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 10:06 PM

    Game plan? What game plan? It looked like 15 players playing off the cuff? Stark contrast to Schmidt’s definite a well thought out game plans. Note to Leinster CEO – no more premiership coaches please.

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian Walker
    Favourite Cian Walker
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 8:15 AM

    As two dimensional as it is it’s still a gameplan: 1) Aggressive Line Speed in defence 2) Kick chase to pressurise back 3, and that’s it!

    It’ll work against some teams, and sadly might even win us another Pro 12 (although doubtful), but it won’t stand up to Toulon or Clermont

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Maguire
    Favourite Kevin Maguire
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 8:07 PM

    Hard fought win well done Leinster from a Munster fan …roll on Dec 26th in Thomond park

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Fehily
    Favourite Michael Fehily
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 8:31 PM

    I’d say you’re feeling confident Kevin…?

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Get to the chopper
    Favourite Get to the chopper
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 10:32 PM

    From a Munster fan, who’d gives a fu*k!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute frankie burke
    Favourite frankie burke
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 9:27 PM

    MOC and Gopperth are killing Leinster. Truck loads of of talent being wasted through a draconian style of play. It’s a crime against Irish rugby after the way the same players played under Smidth! I actually wasted 80 mins of my life watching that shite. This coming from a Galway man.

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rochelle
    Favourite Rochelle
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 10:45 AM

    MOC and Gopperth suit the limited player pool at Leinsters disposal. You can only work with what you have and MOC is getting the best out of the group.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Lawlor
    Favourite Mark Lawlor
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 9:26 PM

    Really summed up my opinion on O’connor when the stadium announcer accidentally said jordi murphy was replacing kirchener at full back and I though it was a legit sub because of MOC persistent stupid decisions both player wise and tactically. The sooner he is gone the better, never been so bored in my life watching a leinster match.

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BarryK
    Favourite BarryK
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 10:07 PM

    I genuinely was close to falling asleep…it was awful

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian O' Connor
    Favourite Brian O' Connor
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 8:41 PM

    I think the ECup will be the focus for the next couple of weeks, hopefully all Irish teams are successful.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maurice Garvey
    Favourite Maurice Garvey
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 10:16 PM

    Turgid stuff – depressing how far Leinster have regressed under MOC.
    Leinster win a penalty from 10 yards out with two mins to go – chance to scrum it again and send the Ospreys B team home with o points.
    Couldn’t believe they took the penalty kick – winning by 6 points instead of 3 points is worth….. nothing extra. A dull, no risk, conservative decision, befitting the gameplan.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute damian
    Favourite damian
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 9:54 PM

    Laboured, boring and lucky!

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Abe Frowman
    Favourite Abe Frowman
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 11:19 PM

    There was another game happening only up the road earlier in the day where the Leinster a’s were playing. Despite an inferior opposition, Girv Dempsey had them throwing the ball around at every opportunity and at times it was a joy to watch with some really exciting back play.. A far cry from that boring rubbish that happened in the RDS. A shame that more were not there to see them play.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie Bermingham
    Favourite Jamie Bermingham
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 12:10 AM

    Was at that game, it was a great show alright

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Prior
    Favourite Aidan Prior
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 12:21 AM

    Who won? Who shone?

    7
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie Bermingham
    Favourite Jamie Bermingham
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 1:04 AM

    Well in the Leinster A match the whole team were great, in the Ospreys game I would say jack Conan, and one or two others were good

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Abe Frowman
    Favourite Abe Frowman
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 9:53 AM

    67-12. Agree with Jamie, the whole team were serious contributions and again it was just simple free flowing rugby, € 10 to watch an exhibition! Cian Kelleher and Mick McG took their tries very well. Being able to watch the in person you really see the leaders on the pitch. Marsh and Macken ran the show yesterday. People give out about Macken saying he can’t pass, bashes it up the middle etc, etc well anyone who was there yesterday will see that the lad has got a serious footballing brain and can really play. Granted the opposition were not exactly Champions Cup level but the point being that girv is obviously a coach that wants to play an expansive game and this brought out the best in them. Same for Marsh. Even if MOC is gone next season, with Sexton back and Mads there he will continue to find it difficult to break into the team.

    Marsh has got serious vision, possibly even more raw talent in certain aspects of his game than either of the two internationals ahead of him. Similar to George Ford. However sadly we may never get to see at the very highest level.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim
    Favourite Jim
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 10:57 PM

    Missed the Leinster game because I was out. Glad I didn’t rush home after seeing the comments here. Glad they won it though. Caught the second half of the Connacht game and it was a cracker. Really delighted to see them doing so well this year. Given the qualification for Europe from pro 12 is heavily stacked against them, I’m delighted to see them doing so well. It would soften the cough of the English if all 4 Irish provinces were to qualify for champions cup next year without one being “gifted” the spot. Being honest, if they don’t get in next year and sebre do, it really makes a mockery of the new “fairer” qualification system.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim
    Favourite Jim
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 10:58 PM

    Sorry, Zebre. Slip of the finger there.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian Walker
    Favourite Cian Walker
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 8:17 AM

    It’s like watching England

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen O Flynn
    Favourite Stephen O Flynn
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 6:51 PM

    Sky sports

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Evan Kavanagh
    Favourite Evan Kavanagh
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 12:12 AM

    Leinster’s kicking game was really poor today. You can really see the difference between the quality of box kicks when Ireland and Leinster play. There was hardly a single contestable kick from Reddan and when it was kicked well, it wasn’t chased with any real intent. The whole second half seemed to revolve around the Ospreys pinning Leinster in their own 22 and Leinster then kicking it back to them.

    Whilst this was a good result for Leinster, their performance left a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, this has been the case too often this season.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oran Burns
    Favourite Oran Burns
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 9:20 AM

    What happened to Leinster?
    Incredibly boring to watch.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rochelle
    Favourite Rochelle
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 10:49 AM

    Nacewa, Sexton, BOD, Cullen, Hines, Rocky Elsom, Thorn all left, D’arcy, Reddan, Boss, Ross and Jennings hit their mid thirties while Fitzgerald, SOB and Strauss became permanently crocked. It’s quite obvious why Leinster are in the state they’re in but some fans choose to deny reality and laughably blame MOC and Gopperth for their woes.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid O'Fionnachta
    Favourite Diarmaid O'Fionnachta
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 9:30 PM

    Not for the first time. Not even a mention of connachts game today on thescore.ie. why?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid O'Fionnachta
    Favourite Diarmaid O'Fionnachta
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 12:15 AM

    My mistake. Made this before the Connacht articles came out

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O Donoghue
    Favourite Cian O Donoghue
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 10:32 AM

    Is ‘The Swerve’ being groomed for top dog?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Riocard Ó Tiarnaigh
    Favourite Riocard Ó Tiarnaigh
    Report
    Nov 30th 2014, 5:34 PM

    We hope so!!!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ted Carroll
    Favourite Ted Carroll
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 6:33 PM

    This isn’t on TV is it?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Greg Cavey
    Favourite Greg Cavey
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 6:39 PM

    Tis

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aideen Thornton
    Favourite Aideen Thornton
    Report
    Nov 29th 2014, 6:57 PM

    On TG4 and Sky Sports 2 but too late now!

    32
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.