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Unbeaten Leinster come from behind to see off Ospreys

By PA
Brian Deeny, left, and Nick McCarthy of Leinster after their side's victory in the United Rugby Championship between Ospreys and Leinster at the Swansea.com Stadium in Swansea, Wales. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ospreys pushed leaders Leinster all the way but two late tries saw the Dubliners maintain their unbeaten record in this compelling URC clash at the Swansea.com Stadium which ended 24-19.

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The home side led for 63 minutes before late Leinster tries by full-back Hugo Keenan and wing Jimmy O’Brien ended hopes of a victory for the Welsh side.

Wing Keelan Giles had crossed for a first-half try and the boot of makeshift wing Cai Evans had put the Ospreys 16-10 ahead until Leinster finally struck in the last quarter to make it 12 wins on the trot in the URC.

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Evans’ 73rd-minute penalty salvaged a bonus-point for the home side and they pushed the URC’s dominant force for most of the game with a resolute defensive display and an impressive scrum.

The home side were without the likes of Wales quartet of Rhys Webb, Alex Cuthbert, Jac Morgan and Adam Beard but had the experience of British and Irish Lions Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric to call on.

Tipuric, in particular, produced a captain’s performance and sent a timely reminder to returning Wales coach Warren Gatland of his ability as a player and a leader.

The Ospreys were forced into a late change with playmaker Owen Williams withdrawing due to sickness and he was replaced by Jack Walsh in the 10 shirt.

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To add to those woes, wing Mat Protheroe was forced off with an arm injury early on to be replaced by Wales centre Joe Hawkins, but it was the Ospreys pack that forced the issue early on, demolishing the visitors’ scrum.

Wing Evans landed an early penalty before the Ospreys scored the game’s first try after Morgan Morris burst free from a scrum and Reuben Morgan Williams set Giles free to race in from 20 metres for the try.

Evans converted to make the score 10-0 before Leinster replied with a Harry Byrne penalty and hooker Dan Sheehan crossed out wide after a period of sustained pressure by the visitors to make it 10-10 at half-time.

After the break, Evans slotted over two penalties before Keenan and O’Brien crossed for tries in the last 15 minutes to finally break the home side’s spirit in Swansea.

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Evans landed a fourth penalty to clinch a vital bonus point.

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Hellhound 9 minutes ago
Junior Springboks underline U20 title credentials in devastating display vs Scotland

The junior Bokkies is really doing very well, underlining the strength and depth in the SA rugby system. Who will snatch these players up? My worries is that there is just not enough professional teams that compete internationally, and most of these players might be lost to other leagues/countries in the future.

SARU needs to add more teams to the Currie Cup, maybe rebrand the competition. SA have as much, if not more talent than the French. We could easily supply about 14 teams, who could be very competitive with all the young talent coming through, others who might come back. The biggest problem SA rugby have, is money. The club's just don't have money and SARU holds the keys. SA needs investment, but that won't happen unless more teams, or a new system is brought forth. With the right investors, the club scene will make a lot of money. I would look towards the IPL franchise owners or the UAE. They have the money to grow the sport, build new stadiums etc. With 44 African countries, one or two teams per country could easily made up to 4 or 5 tiers of rugby competitions. Even if those countries play their national teams in the local club competition. It would help African rugby too, facing teams like the Bulls and Sharks etc. on a regular basis. Africa is untapped potential. There is big room for improvement. Currently SA is in a bubble or Island of their own on the African continent. Money is available from the right investors if they actually do proper marketing and get businesses or mine owners involved in sponsoring teams. Yes there is a lot of red tape, but creating a league the size of the French clubs scene could easily be achieved. There is more than enough very good players available, however no funds is available currently. There is certainly more than enough African billionaires around to be able to create a league like that. Many countries are currently diluting the SA talent, snapping them up young, offering what SA can't. Money. How many of these young stars will go on to represent a provincial team or the Boks? How many will find it so difficult to make a career of rugby and leave the sport? How many have been lost? With WR favouring the Northern Hemisphere, ignoring the Southern Hemisphere despite the South being the strongest throughout history (9 WC trophies compared to 1) they are pouring money into the NH leaving the SH to struggle for money and that's what you get. Weak local competitions like the Currie Cup. The attraction to watch the league? Same as playing rugby in your backyard.

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