Leinster race to bonus point victory with eight-try stuffing of Connacht
Leinster claimed the quickest try-scoring bonus point of the Guinness PRO14 season in a facile 54-7 derby win over Connacht at the RDS.
Leo Cullen’s men chalked up their bonus point with just under 20 minutes on the clock – Glasgow’s 23 minutes was the previous best – as Max Deegan, who crossed after only 103 seconds, Dave Kearney, Ciaran Frawley and Joe Tomane swept over for scores.
It was a point a minute for Leinster in the first half, as further tries from Luke McGrath and Deegan left injury-hit Connacht a full 40 points behind. James Ryan’s withdrawal for a suspected calf injury was a concern for the rampant hosts.
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Garry Ringrose’s well-taken brace sandwiched a consolation 69th-minute maul try from Connacht replacement Tom McCartney, with their 10th victory of the PRO14 campaign keeping Leinster 11 points clear of Ulster at the top of Conference A.
The defending champions were three tries up inside 14 minutes as Connacht struggled to contain the blue attacking wave. A miscued first-minute lineout handed Leinster possession and Peter Dooley barrelled through to set up supporting number eight Deegan to score.
Fly-half Frawley converted and was involved in setting up Kearney’s 10th-minute try, combining with Ringrose to find the experienced winger who stepped inside Caolin Blade’s challenge and took Niyi Adeolokun and Conor Fitzgerald with him over the line in a savvy finish.
Robin Copeland’s turnover penalty had briefly stopped Leinster in their tracks, but a slick interchange between Frawley and Deegan carved open the heart of Connacht’s defence and sent the Skerries youngster in beside the posts to make it 19-0.
Deegan provided a second assist when Tomane proved too powerful from close range, and scrum-half McGrath got on the scoresheet in the 33rd minute when crossing from a ruck just a couple of metres out.
With centre Ringrose to the fore, Leinster’s running lines caused further problems for Connacht approaching half-time. Kearney was stopped short but the forwards took over as Deegan squeezed over, allowing Frawley to land his fifth successful conversion from six kicks.
Deegan turned provider again in the 47th minute, evading two defenders before releasing Ringrose to weave in under the posts. With an improved bout of carrying, Connacht were on the cusp of scoring before man of the match Rhys Ruddock’s rip in the tackle denied them.
Replacement Stephen Kerins and Niyi Adeolokun increased Connacht’s attacking threat, and their endeavour was rewarded with McCartney’s pushover effort.
However, with young stand-off Fitzgerald suffering a worrying ankle injury, the westerners leaked an eighth try when Ringrose nipped over in the right corner via a Jamison Gibson-Park kick.
Life after Rugby – Andy Powell:
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments