They were 17 points down after 11 minutes against opponents enjoying home city advantage and bursting with intent after losing to the Top 14 side in the Marseille final last year.
Led by centre Robbie Henshaw, Leinster knocked back La Rochelle’s massive runners and swarmed all over the breakdown, creating a hazy picture for referee Jaco Peyper who, despite his vast experience, appeared at times to struggle to focus on so many moving parts.
Leinster’s strong start proved to be misleading. Their first try, after 40 seconds, was from the training field. Jack Conan burst through a gap in the middle of a line-out 40 metres out set up Dan Sheehan for the first of the hooker’s two tries.
It was reminiscent of a move that New Zealand brought off against South Africa four years ago when Richie McCaw scored, although from closer range, and their second, scored by wing Jimmy O’Brien after five minutes, followed another line-out earned when James Lowe stood in a pocket in his own half and brought off a 50-22.
Both tries had their origin in the analyst’s room and the third also followed a line-out. Jamison Gibson-Park used slow possession to tempt the defence to narrow and then threw a long pass to Sheehan who was unmarked on the right wing.
Denne historien er fra May 21, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 21, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
