RUGBY/Edinburgh 27 Leinster 16:LEINSTER TOOK a gamble by resting a number of players after their Heineken Cup quarter-final match but it backfired in a below-par performance that resulted in defeat by Edinburgh at Murrayfield last night.
The reverse means Leinster’s chances of winning the Magner’s League title this season are now slim, albeit there are still three matches remaining. “This was a bad result for us. It virtually kills off the Magners League,” said Leinster coach Mike Cheika.
Leinster paid the price for a sluggish first-half performance that left them trailing 21-3 at the break and although they picked up the pace in the second half to score 13 points it was not enough to track down Edinburgh.
“We just didn’t seem ready for action in the first half,” said Cheika, adding : “At this level you have to be in there from the start.”
It was Edinburgh who broke the first 10 minutes of stalemate and error-packed rugby with a piece of invention by Scotland fullback Chris Paterson with a clever kick that had the Leinster defence scrambling to avert a score.
Edinburgh then worked through the phases and when a gap appeared it was Scotland backrow Allistair Hogg who took the scoring pass to romp in under the posts leaving Paterson with a simple conversion kick.
There was further trouble for Leinster after what seemed a promising attack ignited by Isa Nacewa. The outhalf’s clever kick, however, was scooped up by Scotland hooker Ross Ford who showed excellent running skills before delivering the scoring pass to winger John Houston, Paterson again converting for a 14-0 lead.
Edinburgh again threatened, this time with wide passing that ended in a home lineout. From the resultant possession Edinburgh attacked Leinster’s line, making dents in the defence before Mike Blair broke on the blindside to send Scotland wing Simon Webster racing in for his side’s third try, converted inevitably by Paterson.
Leinster’s problems continued when Gordon D’Arcy was penalised a second time for crossing but Edinburgh were unable to take advantage of the situation. In the event it was Leinster who profited from a penalty award that allowed centre Fergus McFadden to kick the first points for the visitors leaving them trailing 21-3 at the break
A brisk start to the second half gave Leinster good field position and ultimately a second penalty goal by McFadden after the Edinburgh backs were ruled offside.
Leinster looked set to add further points when Shane Horgan made a forward thrust before off-loading to Seán O’Brien, only for the flanker to be caught from behind by Paterson with a try under the posts beckoning.
Edinburgh, however, gained some reward with a penalty goal by Paterson but almost immediately McFadden replied in kind for his third success at goal.
Leinster were again on the score sheet, this time with a try made by a run down the touchline by replacement scrumhalf Paul O’Donohoe, and then a move from the subsequent lineout that ended with hooker John Fogarty crossing for his side’s first try converted by McFadden.
A second Paterson penalty put Edinburgh back into safer regions and when Hogg drove over from a lineout move it seemed all over for Leinster, only for the score to be chalked off by the TMO leaving Edinburgh having to settle for an 11-point winning margin
EDINBURGH: C Paterson; J Houston, B Cairns, N De Luca, S Webster; P Godman (D Blair, 53 mins), M Blair (capt); K Traynor, R Ford, G Cross (R Grant, 60 mins), C Hamilton (S MacLeod, 53 mins), J Hamilton, S Newlands (M Mustchin, 60 mins), A MacDonald, A Hogg.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, F McFadden, G D’arcy, Simon Keogh (G Brown, 22 mins); I Nacewa, C Keane (P O’Donahoe, 55 mins); R McCormack (S Knoop, 45 mins), J Fogarty (B Blaney, 76 mins), S Knoop (O Le Roux, 40 mins), L Cullen (capt), T Hogan (D Toner, 50 mins), C Jowitt (K McLaughlin, 55 mins), Stephen Keogh, S O’Brien.
Referee: T Hayes (Wales).
