'Wasn't complete horror show': Gloucester verdict on 35-point loss
Gloucester head coach George Skivington readily acknowledged Leinster’s quality and status at the top end of European rugby after his team suffered a 49-14 Heineken Champions Cup defeat. Leinster cruised into the tournament’s round of 16, scoring seven tries on their way to a third successive bonus-point pool win as Gloucester suffered a record home loss in top-flight European competition.
“I have definitely not seen us have to deal with an attacking threat like that. The speed and accuracy they had definitely caught us out,” Skivington said following the second Gloucester loss to Leinster in the past four weeks. “They scored three tries off first-phase play – they had us all over the place a few times.
“We know how clinical Leinster are with their plays, it’s just very different when they are put in front of you and have got three guys running great lines. There are some good learnings for us as a team. If you are that accurate and you can do it at that speed, you are going to blow people away.
“We have been very good defensively this year, but that was a step up. We couldn’t get a foothold in the game, barring a couple of penalty tries. There was some good stuff – it wasn’t a complete horror show. The scoreline wouldn’t look great without watching the game, but there were a few good bits in there.”
Four-time European champions Leinster were never seriously threatened at Kingsholm as they followed up a 57-0 victory over Gloucester before Christmas with another comprehensive success.
What a way to make it to half-time!
Try number four for the visitors. Magic from @leinsterrugby . ?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/HV5XBX9lQr
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) January 14, 2023
The Irish heavyweights secured a bonus point by half-time through tries from wing Jordan Larmour, prop Michael Ala’alatoa, centre Jamie Osborne and number eight Caelan Doris. Fly-half Ross Byrne converted all four scores and, although Gloucester claimed two penalty tries from collapsed mauls, it was damage limitation from an early stage.
Leinster full-back Hugo Keenan crossed early in the second period for a try that Byrne again converted, then flanker Josh van der Flier and hooker Ronan Kelleher touched down, with replacement Harry Byrne adding two conversions.
With eight teams qualifying from each of the two pools, though, Gloucester could still reach the Champions Cup knockout phase if they beat Bordeaux-Begles in France next weekend. Skivington added: “We are still in a position (to qualify) and we will get ready for Bordeaux. I am excited about it, but we are going to have to have a better start than we did today.”
For Leinster, it is already a case of mission accomplished in terms of progressing from their group and a record-equalling fifth European title is certainly not beyond them on current form. Head coach Leo Cullen said: “It was a pleasing win. There was some good variety in our play. Gloucester had their moments in the game and they didn’t make life easy for us, so there is plenty for us to get better at, but it was a good day for us.”
Cullen also had praise for 21-year-old centre Osborne, who deservedly claimed the player-of-the-match award. “He is just getting better all the time,” Cullen added. “He is still incredibly young and you can see the natural ability that he has. He had some really outstanding moments in the game.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments