Leinster Finish Festive Derbies With Eight-Try Blitz

Leinster claimed the quickest try-scoring bonus point of the GUINNESS PRO14 season in a swashbuckling 54-7 derby win over Connacht at the RDS.

Leo Cullen’s men chalked up their bonus point with just under 20 minutes on the clock – Glasgow Warriors’ 23 minutes was the previous best – as Max Deegan, who crossed after only 103 seconds, Dave Kearney, Ciaran Frawley and Joe Tomane swept over for scores.

It was a point-a-minute for Leinster in the first half, as further tries from Luke McGrath and Deegan left injury-hit Connacht a full 40 points behind. James Ryan’s withdrawal with a tight calf was a concern for the rampant hosts.

Into the second period, Garry Ringrose’s well-taken brace sandwiched a consolation 69th-minute maul try from Connacht replacement Tom McCartney. A tenth victory of the PRO14 campaign keeps Leinster 11 points clear of Ulster at the top of Conference A.

The defending champions were three tries up inside 14 minutes as Connacht struggled to contain the blue attacking wave. A miscued first-minute lineout handed Leinster possession and Peter Dooley barrelled through to set up influential number 8 Deegan to score.

Out-half Frawley converted and was involved in setting up Kearney’s 10th-minute try, combining with Ringrose to find the experienced winger who stepped inside Caolin Blade’s challenge and took Niyi Adeolokun and Conor Fitzgerald with him over the line in a savvy finish.

Robin Copeland’s turnover penalty had briefly stopped Leinster in their tracks, but a slick interchange between Frawley and Deegan carved open the heart of Connacht’s defence and sent the Skerries youngster in beside the posts to make it 19-0.

Deegan provided a second assist when Tomane proved too powerful from close range, and scrum half McGrath got on the scoresheet in the 33rd minute when crossing from a ruck just a couple of metres out.

With centre Ringrose to the fore, Leinster’s running lines caused more problems for Connacht approaching half-time. Kearney was stopped short but the forwards took over as Deegan squeezed over, allowing Frawley to land his fifth successful conversion from six kicks.

Deegan turned provider again in the 47th minute, evading two defenders before releasing Ringrose to weave in under the posts. With an improved bout of carrying, Connacht were on the cusp of scoring before man-of-the-match Rhys Ruddock’s rip in the tackle denied them.

Replacement Stephen Kerins and Niyi Adeolokun increased Connacht’s attacking threat, accelerating through midfield and out wide, and their endeavour was finally rewarded with McCartney’s pushover effort.

However, with young number 10 Fitzgerald suffering a worrying ankle injury, the westerners leaked an eighth try when Ringrose nipped over in the right corner via a Jamison Gibson-Park kick. Harry Byrne’s well-struck conversion ensured it was Leinster’s highest ever points tally against Connacht, eclipsing the 53-8 win from October 1999.

Leinster head coach Cullen commented afterwards: “The first half was really pleasing and we were really clinical. We were effective and did the simple things well, the intensity was good.

“We were a little passive in the second half and soaked up a lot of play. We didn’t have a lot of ball to apply pressure on Connacht. We were poor against Ulster (conceding those tries) so we tried to simplify things tonight and although it didn’t always work for us, we were composed and we’re getting better.

“We were probably a bit safe and didn’t have any zip and maybe that was a reflection on what happened a couple of weeks ago. It’s hard to keep the same level of intensity in any game for 80 minutes.”

He added: “Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about – James thinks he got a kick on the back of the calf in the first half. Will Connors did a HIA which he passed at half-time but we kept him off as he has had a big workload.”

Reacting to the heavy interprovincial defeat, Connacht boss Andy Friend admitted: “We were soaking tackles. 40-0 at half-time and the game is dead. It’s not what we came here to do tonight but it’s what we got.

“It doesn’t matter what 15 they put out at the moment. Leinster are the form team in Europe. We gave them opportunities and they’re good enough to take them. They caused us a lot of problems and we couldn’t slow the blue wave down.

“We had to get bodies in front and we did that after the break. We got little victories but we can’t be losing 54-7. That’s not what we’re about. It’s always a fine line in terms of confidence.

“We’re frustrated but some of our Academy guys did well, Niall Murray on his first start and Conor Kenny, and didn’t stop trying. We need to grab that energy and fearlessness of those young guys. It’s not all broken.”