Leinster 43 Dragons 14
Leinster were flattered somewhat by the margin of victory in a United Rugby Championship match (URC) that was more competitive and keenly fought than the scoreline suggests.
Two tries at the end of each half, especially those in the first, changed the complexion of the game, softening any frustration in the stands and the coaching box and allowed the crowd of 12,144 to enjoy a more philosophical, relaxed outlook in terms of the imperfections.
Leo Cullen’s side deserved to win, seven tries to two brooks no argument, but with a strong wind making conditions a little tricky and a scratch side trying to come together, the seams of the performance were visible.
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Leinster played some good rugby but there were times when they were disjointed, telegraphed in orientation in terms of attacking shape and susceptible to handling errors and turnovers against a Dragons side that showed character and aggression and with a tad more accuracy and composure might have made the game a tighter contest.
The home side will reflect on the net outcome, a bonus point victory that takes them to the cusp of securing a home draw through the knockout phase of the tournament – 18 wins in 18 matches in all competitions – and a few milestones on the night, the first of which was a debut off the bench for former underage international prop Jack Boyle.
The academy product, a former Leinster mascot (2005), is now a bona fide senior player. He said: “It’s been unbelievable, a brilliant atmosphere, a childhood dream come true. There were loads of my family here to share the occasion, I was delighted with it.”
Hooker Lee Barron played his first Leinster match at the RDS while fellow replacement Charlie Tector claimed a first try for the province. Harry Byrne showed flashes of innate talent, ran the game reasonably well and grabbed a brace of tries. Cullen said: “He’s (Byrne) had a few niggles, a frustrating run for him. It’s been a great window for Harry to run the team which he has done very well.”
Leinster captain Rhys Ruddock won the man of the match accolade for a typically rollicking contribution on both sides of the ball but the input of centre Liam Turner and openside flanker Scott Penny was eye-catching and notable in terms of quality.
Cullen acknowledged: “Scott was good, he got his nose through the line, being dynamic with his carries, which was pleasing. Liam runs some great lines, very hard to bring down. Those guys are going really well and (I’m) pleased with the two of them.”
Jimmy O’Brien grew into the game to a point where he was Leinster’s most potent attacking threat in the second half, Jordan Larmour took his try smartly, as did Luke McGrath, while Jamie Osborne and Dave Kearney were strong in the collisions.
The back play jarred at times, passes going a little early without fixing defenders, the recipient identifiable; the visitors infiltrated the Leinster backfield and passing channels very easily at times.
The pack performed very capably as individuals and there were component parts of the collective that were good, like maul defence and the variety in lineout attack but the Dragons made the breakdown a real scrap with Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty and Brodie Coghlan very much to the fore.
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There are only four matches left in the league stage of the tournament, so opportunities are at a premium, a fact to which Cullen alluded in the aftermath. “The opportunities are so precious now, so the games are unbelievably important for the individuals to (try and) make sure they are involved in knockout games later. (There were) plenty of positives in terms of individual performances and (in) young guys getting games.”
Leinster’s early tempo gave the Dragons no time to acclimatise, Byrne’s try on three minutes was a reflection of that dominance. Turner’s break might have led to a second, Penny was penalised for crawling over the line, but it wasn’t until the 25th minute that the home side crossed the Dragons’ line again.
McGrath picked the pocket of Dragons outhalf Will Reed, reading the inside pass, and then outpacing the cover from 55-metres. Rhodri Williams’ try, he was excellent throughout, converted by Reed, reduced the deficit to 14-7 just after the half-hour.
It elicited a positive response from the home side, McGrath and Penny, combined to send Ruddock over for a try and then in first half injury time, the lively Brian Deeny, gave his side the initial field position but it was Turner’s clever switch to the short side that paved the way for Byrne’s second try and a 26-7 interval lead.
Larmour found no one to oppose him on the blindside of a ruck, racing down the touchline to score, and even though the Dragons managed a second try through Currow’s JJ Hanrahan, it was the home side that finished strongest and liberated the contents of the bench, six in one go. Rob Russell claimed an eighth try in his last nine matches while Tector barrelled through a tackle for his first.
Leinster’s next assignment is a trip to Edinburgh in a couple of weeks, one that they will undertake with largely the same squad, all of whom will be keen to impress further as the business end of the season looms large.
Scoring sequence – 3 mins: H Byrne try, H Byrne conversion, 7-0; 25 mins: McGrath try, H Byrne conversion, 14-0; 33 mins: Williams try, Reed conversion, 14-7; 35 mins: Ruddock try, 19-7; 40 (+1) mins: H Byrne try, H Byrne conversion, 26-7. Half-time: 26-7. 46: Larmour try, 31-7; 63 mins: Hanrahan try, Reed conversion, 31-14; 72 mins: Russell try, Tector conversion, 38-14; 79 mins: Tector try, 43-14.
Leinster: J O’Brien; J Larmour, L Turner, J Osborne, D Kearney; H Byrne, L McGrath; M Milne, J McKee, M Ala’alatoa; R Molony, B Deeny; R Ruddock (capt), S Penny, M Deegan. Replacements: L Barron for McKee 54 mins; J Boyle for Milne 54 mins; T Clarkson for Ala’alatoa 54 mins; J Jenkins for Molony 54 mins; N McCarthy for McGrath 54 mins; R Russell for Larmour 54 mins; W Connors for Penny 61 mins; C Tector for H Byrne 70 mins.
Dragons: A O’Brien; S Tomkinson, S Hughes, J Dixon, A Hewitt; W Reed, R Williams (capt); R Jones, B Coghlan, L Fairbrother; M Screech, B Carter; B Fry, T Basham, R Moriarty. Replacements: J Benjamin for Coghlan (HIA) 8-20 and 64 mins; J Williams for Dixon half-time; JJ Hanrahan for Tomkinson (HIA) 45 mins; A Seiuli for R Jones 53 mins; S Lonsdale for Fry 55 mins; C Coleman for Fairbrother 58 mins; L Jones for R Williams 65 mins; R Woodman for Moriarty 70 mins.
Referee: M Adamson (Scotland).
