Leinster beat Cardiff to continue winning sequence

BBC News

01-03-2025

United Rugby ChampionshipLeinster (14) 42Tries: McKee, Boyle, Deegan, McGrath, Tector, Russell Cons: Byrne 6 Cardiff Blues (12) 24Tries: Millard 2, Young, Bevan Cons: Sheedy, de Beer
Leinster continued their record of winning all of their matches so far this season by scoring six tries in a bonus-point 42-24 victory over Cardiff in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game at the Aviva Stadium.The Irish province have won all 12 of their URC games to top the table, having also come out on top in the four Investec Champions Cup fixtures they have played.Tries from John McKee and Jack Boyle helped Leinster to a 14-12 lead at the break, Henry Millard and Thomas Young crossing for Cardiff in the first half.Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Charlie Tector and Rob Russell touched down for the home side after the interval while Millard's second try and a score from Ellis Bevan ensured that the Welsh side left Dublin with a consolation point for scoring four tries.Having lost to Connacht in their previous outing, Cardiff remain in mid-table as they remain in contention for the top eight spot which would secure a place in the end-of-season play-offs.
Try-fest in Dublin
It was 15 minutes in when hooker McKee got the scoreboard rolling by barging over from a driving maul but Cardiff responded within two minutes with their opening try.The ball went through the hands quickly as they launched an attack, culminating in wing Mallard racing down the line and going over in the corner.Bereft of their Ireland internationals, the hosts uncharacteristically made a number of errors while an efficient Cardiff display in the first 40 was rewarded with their second score, flanker Young driving his way over after his side went through the phases and executed a number of effective 'pick and go' moves.Callum Sheedy's conversion gave the Welsh side a five-point advantage but Leinster were to have the final say in the first half when loose-head prop Boyle went over in the corner after some enterprising build-up play.Byrne's additional two points from the tee made it 14-12 at the interval and the fly-half would go on to convert each of his side's tries.Replacement Alex Mann was sent to the sin bin for infringing within a couple of minutes of the restart and Leo Cullen's side took advantage of their superior numbers as Deegan crashed over.A maul from a line-out set up the home side's fourth try, skipper McGrath breaching Cardiff's defences and darting over from close range.Two minutes later Tector carved his way through the visiting rearguard to dot down try number five for Leinster as his side assumed control.Cardiff fought back however with Millard collecting the ball and crossing for his second touchdown of the game and Bevan showed searing pace for his try to further reduce the deficit.Replacement Russell dived over the line in the corner in the closing stages to complete a convincing success.
Line-ups
Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath (capt); Jack Boyle, John McKee, Rabah Slimani, Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny, Alex Soroka, Will Connors, Max Deegan.Replacements: Stephen Smyth, Ivan Soroka, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, Scott Penny, Oliver Coffey, Liam Turner, Rob Russell.Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Rey Lee-Lo, Rory Jennings, Harri Millard; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Dany Southworth, Liam Belcher, Rhys Litterick, Josh McNally, Rory Thornton, Ben Donnell, Thomas Young, Alun Lawrence.Replacements: Efan Daniel, Rhys Barratt, Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Alex Mann, Ellis Bevan, Tinus de Beer, Regan Grace.Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)