Leinster's James Lowe makes on-field statement after difficult week
James Lowe became Leinster’s record try-scorer as he marked his 100th appearance for the province with a double that sent them into the United Rugby Championship semi-finals.
The Ireland wing touched down twice in the second half, taking his overall tally to 71, as Leinster eased to a 59-10 victory over Lions in Dublin.
Sam Prendergast also had an influential game, crossing himself and converting seven of his side’s nine tries.
The platform was laid before the break, with tries from Dan Sheehan, Hugo Keenan and James Ryan helping Leinster into a 21-5 half-time lead.
Scott Penny, Gus McCarthy and Jimmy O’Brien added further scores after the interval, while the Lions replied with two tries through Henco van Wyk.
Leinster will now face another South African side, Stormers, in the last four.
“It’s something I didn’t think about [breaking Leinster’s try-scoring record] when I first game to Ireland,” said Lowe after the game. “The personal stuff is class, but trophies are what you want at the end of the season!”
Leinster Rugby: Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Caelan Doris (CAPT)
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov, Thomas Clarkson, Diarmuid Mangan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne, Robbie Henshaw
Fidelity SecureDrive Lions: Quan Horn, Angelo Davids, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Erich Cronje, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn, SJ Kotze, PJ Botha, Sebastian Lombard, Reinhard Nothnagel, Darrien Landsberg, Siba Mahashe, Batho Hlekani, Francke Horn (CAPT)
Replacements: Franco Marais, Eddie Davids, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Siba Qoma, JC Pretorius, Rynhard Jonker, Haashim Pead