Leinster Close Off First Block With Fifth Straight Win

Dan Sheehan celebrated his call-up to the Ireland squad with the bonus point try in Leinster’s 31-15 United Rugby Championship win over Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium.

Sheehan’s try arrived midway through the second half off the back of a positive third quarter in which Leinster stretched their advantage from seven points out to 21.

Ronan Kelleher, who scored a superb try in a URC player-of-the-match performance, Hugo Keenan and Adam Byrne also touched down for the visitors, who led 17-10 at half-time.

Out-half Ross Byrne kicked the other 11 points in a five-from-five return from the tee, as Leo Cullen’s men head into the international break with a four-point lead at the top of the table.

Giving his reaction afterwards, head coach Cullen said: “The guys had good control at the start, a couple of good tries with Ronan showing good power and strength to get in for the first, and really good build-up for the second that Hugo scored.

“We maybe lost our way a bit, were definitely a bit loose with possession and got turned over cheaply, misfired at set piece a few times. That meant we were having to defend quite a bit because we couldn’t hang onto possession.

“Eventually Glasgow got that try and Jack Conan in the sin bin, but I was happy with the way we started the second half with 14 men and we were able to kick on from there. Overall we are pleased.”

Scotstoun is a place where most visiting teams have known their share of turmoil over the years, and they arrive knowing a good start is usually imperative.

Leinster looked to shift the ball from side-to-side, winger Byrne and hooker Kelleher,  both on their second starts of this season, showing up on the flanks to stretch the home defence.

A slick short ball from Tadhg Furlong asked a different question to which Glasgow did not find an answer, number 10 Byrne slotting the penalty that accrued from a ruck infringement in the fourth minute.

Better again, the Blues drove Glasgow back in the tackle to force Ali Price to kick out on the full.

It was poetry in motion from there, Furlong churning out the metres, Dan Leavy completing a picture-perfect offload and Kelleher using a fend and his footwork to finish a seven-pointer in style.

Ross Thompson replied with three points in the 15th minute, yet Leinster’s front row continued to impress. Furlong held up Duncan Weir in the tackle and Kelleher executing a formidable turnover at the ruck.

When Leavy popped up out wide and Kelleher made further ground, James Lowe then stepped and fed full-back Keenan for an outstanding team try, converted by Byrne for 17-3 in the 28th minute.

However, just before the break, Keenan was penalised for making contact in the air with Thompson near his own line to trigger a series of carries that cost Conan a yellow card.

It also yielded a try to Jack Dempsey, with Thompson’s conversion closing out the half. Leinster had to expect an onslaught with Conan in the bin.

When it came, Furlong rattled George Turner, Lowe wrapped up Kyle Steyn and Caelan Doris eventually grabbed a turnover on the ground.

Once again, the counter ruck from Kelleher and Doris was a source of turnover ball for the province, well-timed passing almost releasing Leavy as Conan returned to play.

Leinster’s attack soon clicked again for try number three. Kelleher, Keenan and captain Luke McGrath laid the groundwork, Furlong kept the move going and Ross Byrne improvised a pass for winger Byrne to go over in the corner.

Ross Byrne converted from the touchline to reopen the 14-point gap. It got even better when, with the forwards pressing on the hour mark, young replacement Sheehan notched his third try in a week for Byrne to convert.

When Glasgow threatened again, Ed Byrne picked and pivoted to come away with the ball. The urgency went out of Glasgow’s play until a late rally.

The Scots were keen to come again, sending runners in waves, and replacement scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park was sin-binned for making contact with George Horne’s face.

It provided the space for Glasgow to attack out wide and the newly-introduced Lewis Bean secured a consolation try with less than a minute remaining.

Cullen added: “This block (of fixtures) has been good, the competition in the group has been good and guys have pushed each other on, which is what you want. It is a long season, though, you don’t win any trophies in October.

“When we come back together we have a big block of games, 10 on the bounce including four European games and four interpros, so it is unbelievably exciting.

“You want the young guys pushing on. You want to be successful as a team but also for them individually to push on. That competition has always been important for us in terms of driving the group forward.”