Leinster v Racing Metro – Heineken Cup takeover clash
It was a tryfest at Stade Yves du Maoir secured Leinster a home tie in Heineken Cup quarter finals with a win of 36 – 11 over Racing Metro in Pool 2 match.
Leinster will kept the fireworks at home burning, as Joe Schmidt’s side confirmed money spinning European Cup quarter final in Dublin, after a dazzling display of rugby on acrimoniously cold evening in North West environs of Paris. A bonus point franked
their status and increased their chances of lifting the crown at Cardiff in May.
Brian O’Driscoll, the birthday boy savoured a five star demonstration of game play as a gift from his squad. Tries from Isa Nacewa, Jonathan Sexton and the unstoppable Sean O’Brien made them the second best team in France, after thrashing the second best
team from England.
The success came at slender consequences though, as Schmidt the coach disclosed that prop Cian Healey went off field after hip problem, although he made it back after the first half for Jason Harris Wright.
Schmidt explained, “Yeah, Cian took a bit of a knock there but he was able to come on at the end and throw the ball in so hopefully he'll be alright.” He added, “He's back in the Irish camp for a few days this past week so they'll have a better handle on
how he's doing.”
Two tries from Jonathan Sexton and others from number 8 Sean O’Brien and fullback Isa Nacewa saw them extend their unbeaten run in Europe and handed Racing Metro an unusual home defeat. Effort from Racing Metro was visible but not quite enough to break through
the Leinster’s defense. Centre Virimi Vakatawa scored a try in the first half to give Racing Metro control of the game, but they were soon bombarded by man of the match high-octane player Sean O’Brien, who took control in both defense and attack responsibly.
Leinster was already booked in last eight after six try thrashing of Saracens last weekend, but needed another victory and bonus point to confirm a home ground quarter final. Coach Joe Schmidt took a strong line up for this specific fixture to secure the
edge. Racing Metro’s interest in winning the competition was already distracted after losing from Clermont Auvergne a week before.
Racing scored an early penalty at scrum time and Hernandez put the home team ahead by kicking through uprights. Leinster gave a strong response and kicked a Racing fumble in to their 22 and the home side was forced into a rapid retreat. Some running from
Luke Fitzgerald the winger took Leinster into Racing 22 and Sexton fumbled which was recovered by Nacewa, who scored the first try of the game. Sexton added three extras and Hernandez shot a penalty wide off the posts.
It was the Irish side who won the race and scored the next try, with O’Brien and Boss combining well in the Racing posts to create a perfect situation for the latter that was successfully converted by Sexton. With center Andrea Masi and lock Francois Carl
Merwe forcing Leinsters' defense backwards, Racing Metro showed some signs of existence. Despite a sustained pressure Racing forward pack wasn’t able to find a gap. Racing was awarded a penalty which Hernandez slotted between the posts.
The second half had a good luck charm for Leinster and all the efforts from home team were negated by strong backs specially O’Driscoll. Leinster defense continued to push back Racing’s pressure and kept on scoring from boots. Racing introduced a new bulk
on the field midway through the second half, but it was Fergus McFadden who carved the next opening for Leinster. His efforts were supported by Nacewa and O’Brien and the lead was extended by Sexton who scored his second try.
O’Dricoll executed a probing kick to lay a platform for next score and the birthday boy popped up to score Leinster’s fifth try. Sexton’s conversion pounded home the visitors’ plus. Schmidt was very satisfied with the outcome and the way the boys played.
He said, “Overall, I'm delighted with the manner in which he got through tonight. We didn't make things easy for ourselves but then they're not a side who'll make it easy for you.”
Talking about quarter finals he said, “I've not thought about the venue for the quarter-final. When I was woken up in New Zealand to be told the draw seven months ago, I couldn't get to sleep so I'm just happy we're through.”
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