The Lions could not deal with the expectation of a primary ever look within the URC playoffs, as they did not threaten an upset at throughout a dominant Leinster.
Ruthless Leinster rebounded from their Champions Cup heartbreak by destroying the Lions 59-10 of their United Rugby Championship (URC) quarterfinal on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday evening.
The hosts have been good, whereas the guests have been sadly error susceptible, as a primary ever playoff look appeared an excessive amount of for the Lions as they made numerous uncharacteristic errors, significantly of their kicking recreation, which proved massively expensive.
The win secured a house semifinal for the competitors defending champs in opposition to the Stormers, who beat Cardiff of their quarterfinal, subsequent weekend in Eire.
Quick begin
Within the match Leinster obtained off to a quick begin, taking a 14-0 lead after simply 14 minutes which was ominous for the guests.
First after good play in the Lions 22m, they ran out of defenders, as an extended move was despatched vast to hooker Dan Sheehan hanging out on the wing, with him working in untouched for the opening rating.
5 minutes later Leinster have been again within the Lions half and attacking into the 22m, the place good tender arms from flyhalf Sam Prendergast noticed him maintain up the ball and put fullback Hugo Keenan into a niche and over, with Prendergast including the extras once more.
However the Lions then confirmed some valiant defence, as Leinster continued to dominate play, however have been held out nicely.
The Lions made some poor errors, significantly kicking the ball out instantly a number of occasions, and likewise at lineout time, however their scrum was an enormous optimistic for them and obtained on prime of the hosts.
Within the 35th minute Leinster prop Tom Clarkson was yellow carded for a harmful sort out on Nico Steyn, after he flipped the scrumhalf onto his head.
That allowed the Lions to kick to the nook, safe the lineout and maul, with it stopped brief, however they obtained onto the road and out of doors centre Henco van Wyk picked up and dived over from shut vary.
The normally useless eye Chris Smith noticed his conversion try hit the put up and bounce throughout, and the Lions obtained an additional blow when Leinster went straight up the opposite finish from the kick-off and lock James Ryan crashed over on the halftime hooter to offer them a 21-5 lead on the break.
Sport over
Straight after the restart Leinster principally ended any hopes the Lions might have had by scoring their second attempt whereas all the way down to 14-men, as they slowly constructed up an assault into the Lions half and located house out vast the place free ahead Scott Penney went over within the nook.
The hosts then scored an extremely fortunate attempt including one other hammer blow to the Lions, as whereas making a sort out the ball got here off flank Max Deegan’s shoulder and rebounded ahead the place Prendergast caught the ball in house and raced away to make it 33-5 after 46 minutes.
Issues went from dangerous to worse for the Lions within the 53rd minute when fullback Quan Horn was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on, with Leinster kicking to the nook, getting shut and alternative hooker Gus McCarthy went over for the transformed attempt.
There was some pleasure for the Lions as they hit again straight from the restart, getting the ball again and alternative scrumhalf Haashim Pead popped a beautiful chip over the Leinster defensive position, with Van Wyk chasing, kicking forward and scoring, however sadly was additionally injured when tackled whereas scoring.
That was sadly nearly as good because it obtained for the Lions as wings Jimmy O’Brien and James Lowe went over of their respective corners, with Prendergast slotting the touchline conversions to push them over the 50 level mark within the 68th minute.
Leinster then completed with a flourish, as Louw prolonged his attempt scoring report for the membership that he had registered along with his first attempt, as he went over within the nook on the fulltime hooter.
Scorers
Leinster: Tries – Dan Sheehan, Hugo Keenan, James Ryan, Scott Penny, Sam Prendergast, Gus McCarthy, Jimmy O’Brien, James Lowe (2); Conversions – Prendergast (7)
Lions: Tries – Henco van Wyk (2)
