Leinster Leave Wasps Trailing In Their Wake

Leinster tightened their grip on top spot in Heineken Cup Pool 2 with a terrific display against London Wasps on Saturday. Michael Cheika’s men ran in six tries to claim a comprehensive win at a packed-out RDS.

Leinster won the battle of the champions at the RDS, outplaying thr Guinness Premiserhsip title holders with a six-try win.

Brian O’Driscoll scored a pair of stunning of tries within the opening 12 minutes, handing the reigning Magners League champions the initiative over Wasps in Pool 2.

The Ireland centre was superb in the first half before limping off with a knee injury at the interval.

Luke Fitzgerald, Felipe Contepomi, Rocky Elsom and Rob Kearney added second half scores to grab a crucial bonus-point in a rout at a partisan RDS.

This heavyweight contest, littered with international stars, certainly lived up to its billing and hype.

It had a blistering start as England’s Paul Sackey produced a stunning 50-metre dash within the opening two minutes before he was halted by the covering scrum half Chris Whitaker.

But it was the hosts who grabbed the early lead when O’Driscoll cleverly swivelled before powering over for his first try in the fourth minute.

Contepomi’s grubber kick was kept in neatly by left winger Kearney and O’Driscoll pounced on Wasps full-back Jeremy Staunton’s slip to reach out for the opening try.

Argentinian Contepomi added the conversion but Wasps and England’s Danny Cipriani kept the visitors in touch with a penalty three minutes later.

Then O’Driscoll produced another moment of magic when his chip and chase beat Eoin Reddan for pace and he eluded Staunton before fending off the challenge of Tom Voyce for a sensational score.

Leinster captain Leo Cullen was forced off injured with a collarbone injury and Wasps edged their way back into the match and Cipriani, in particularly, looked dangerous in attack.

But their two-times winners’ hopes of success were dented when Phil Vickery was yellow carded on the half hour for deliberately killing the ball.

Contepomi and Cipriani exchanged penalties before the England starlet created Wasps’ first try after 37 minutes.

Cipriani made a 30-metre run across field and his sharp pass found Staunton who crashed over to the displeasure of the home crowd who believed Leinster had been hard done by following an obstruction.

Leinster, minus O’Driscoll after the break, kept their foot on the accelerator with replacement Jonathan Sexton in the thick of the action. Within two minutes, be broke forward and up close to the posts before Fitzgerald was fed for the hosts’ third try.

Girvan Dempsey charged down an attempted clearance and the forwards’ pressure created turnover ball which was clincially finished by centre Fitzgerald.

Leinster clinched the bonus point in the 56th minute when Contepomi crossed before Australian flanker Elsom and Kearney seal a stunning triumph.