In Pics: Bath 23 Leinster 35
Click here for photos from Leinster’s Heineken Cup Pool Five victory against Bath at the Recreation Ground on Sunday.
Pictured above: Leinster and Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll goes in at the left corner for the province’s fifth try after 68 minutes of action at the Rec. It was O’Driscoll’s third try in two Heineken Cup games since he made his comeback from a dislocated right shoulder.
The star centre, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday, has now scored 15 tries in 38 Heineken Cup appearances.
O’Driscoll said after the vital win, which sent Leinster into the quarter-finals where they face a daunting trip to champions Toulouse: “This is my fourth full game back and I struggled in that last 10 minutes. I will be much better for playing in such a high-intensity game and I feel a little closer to where I want to be.
O’Driscoll’s centre partner Gordon D’Arcy is tackled by Gareth Delve of Bath.
Leinster and Ireland winger Denis Hickie comes under pressure from the Bath cover.
Leinster and Ireland centre/winger Shane Horgan striding through for the province’s opening try on Sunday. Horgan has had a great start to the New Year, scoring four tries in as many games.
Leinster flanker Keith Gleeson, who continued his recent patch of excellent form at the Rec, goes on a run.
Bath lock Danny Grewcock is confronted by Leinster pair Felipe Contepomi (left) and Jamie Heaslip (centre).
Leinster forwards Keith Gleeson and Reggie Corrigan celebrate with the province’s travelling band of supporters. Upwards of 2,000 blue-clad fans made their way across the water to watch Leinster’s fourth pool win.
**All photos by Lorraine O’Sullivan of Inpho Photography**
“In parts, it was some of the best rugby we have played this season. I felt a bit disappointed at the end in the way we ran out of gas but if you are playing such a high-octane game, you expect to run out of gas sometime.
“There was huge pressure on our forwards before the game to match Bath’s pack and I think they did that with aplomb. Our scrum was excellent and the work rate was good especially in that last 10 minutes when we were under pressure.
“What we were doing was trying to get ourselves into the last eight and our sole goal was to put ourselves into the knock-out stages.”