Leinster Lions win their quarter final clash against Biarritz

In front of the biggest crowd ever to see a Heineken Cup Quarter Final Leinster won their match against Biarritz Olympique at Lansdowne Road on a scoreline of 18-13.

Leinster had the majority of the ball in the opening minutes but failed to capitalise on chances with scrappy play and poor handling. It wasn’t until the 28th minute that O’ Meara opened the scoring for Leinster with a penalty, 3-0.

Leinster spent most of the first half in Biarritz territory, but failed to find a gap in the French side’s defence. After 36 minutes, Keith Gleeson went through on the right wing to put the ball down between the posts, for his second try of the tournament. O Meara converted making it 10-0. He was on target again before half time to stroke over another penalty, giving Leinster a 13-0 lead at half time.

Biarritz had the first say in the second half with Yachvili scoring a penalty goal. Costello negated this with a try minutes later. O’ Meara failed to convert, the score standing at 18-3. Yachvili was on target again from almost the same position, 18-6.

Biarritz played right till the end and were rewarded with a Lievremont try, converted by Yachvili, putting Leinster under pressure in the final minutes. Leading by only 5 points, Leinster held on to win out on a score line of 18-13.

Leinster. G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O’Driscoll (capt), D Quinlan, G D’Arcy; C Warner, B O’Meara; E Byrne, S Byrne, P Coyle, L Cullen, M O’Kelly, E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson.

Replacements: N Treston, G Hickie, A Kearney, A McCullen, B O’Riordan, N Spooner, P McKenna.

Biarritz Olympique. N Brusque; P Bernat-Salles, M Stcherbina, J Isaac, P Bidabe; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvilli; M Fitzgerald, J-M Gonzalez (capt), D Avril, D Couzinet, O Roumat, S Betsen, T Lievremont, C Milheres.

Replacements: J Campo, B Gallais, O Nauroy, O Tonita, L Mazas, G Bousses, M Etcheverria.

Referee: S Lander (Eng).

(For all the latest on the game go to www.leinsterrugby.ie)