Connacht 5
Leinster 50
Connacht suffered a hugely disappointing result against Leinster at Dexcom Stadium - their worst defeat since 2020.
A poor performance from Stuart Lancaster’s XV provided opponents and favourites Leinster with a dominant victory - seven tries to one, 50 points to five, and 14-0 clean breaks, ensuring Leo Cullen’s team demolished their opponents.
Leinster’s dominance marked a run of 14 wins over Connacht. But surprising it was also the heaviest loss for the home side under Stuart Lancaster, and Connacht’s biggest in 20 years.
Few saw it coming, and with good reason. Connacht, with two wins from four, looked like gaining momentum. However, the loss of international players takes a heavier toll on Connacht than most provinces, and on this occasion Connacht failed to deliver in most areas of play, but particularly at the set piece.
At the break, Connacht were relieved Leinster knocked-on just five metres from the line. Seeking another try, the visitors were thwarted by the half-time whistle, but went into half-time ahead by 5-21.
It was a deserved lead for Leinster, who dominated the opening half at a wet Dexcom Stadium.
Leinster produced three line breaks in the opening 10 minutes, and although Connacht faced into the wind, they failed to get up to speed against a dangerous Leinster backline. After 16 minutes, Licenser produced a try, a wrap-around providing Gus McCarthy for the try, and within minutes Jordan Lamour added a second.
It was all Leinster in the opening 25 minutes, and there were few positives from Connacht despite the best efforts of Josh Murphy.
Turnovers and poor kicking did not help Connacht’s cause as Leinster struck for two tries in the opening 25 minutes through Gus McCarthy and Jordan Lamour, with Carbery adding the extras.
Josh Murphy provided some hope for Connacht from a turnover, and within a minute Dave Heffernan capitalised after Sean O’Brien took control of the line-out and a subsequent drive. It brought Connacht back into the game, they did not help themselves with some poor kicking which Leinster exploited, and by half time they had grabbed another try - Connacht 15 points in arrears.
Connacht were not helped by their inability to make possession count, but with the wind at their backs there was some hope of a comeback
However, Leinster, playing with confidence, never relented. Joey Carberry added a penalty , and minutes later Max Deegan crossed for another try .
After a raft of changes for both sides, Connacht secured a rare penalty to relieve some pressure, but were unable to capitalise in the face of Leinster’s aggressive defence. Instead Leo Cullen’s side delivered another penalty to touch before Joey Carberry darted through on the short side to score their fifth try, taking. 5-36 lead.
It did not get any better for Lancaster’s side despite a couple of opportunities as Leinster’s defence was exceptional, and thereafter Cullen’s Leinster finished the rout with tries from Ciaran Mangan and Fintan Dunne.
It was a sobering experience for Connacht as Lancaster said there were few positives from the display.
“The first half obviously was the killer for me. When you play against Leinster and how good they are and how good they are defensively, if you fall behind, you’re forced into a game where you’re having to overplay to catch up, really.
“I think our error count was so high in the first half. Leinster had the wind, and obviously the rain came in, and I just felt that we gave them too much in the first half. As a consequence, at half-time, you’re trying to plug the dam a bit. Second half, we made a bad job worse, so there aren’t many positives.”
CONNACHT: J Ioane; S Bolton (F Treacy 54 ), J Devine (S Gilbert 44 ), C Forde, D Ryan; S Naughton, C Blade ( Reilly 61 ); F van Wyk (J Cahir 51 ), D Heffernan (M Victory 51 ), F Bealham (F Barrett 55 ); J Murphy (N Murray 51 ), D O’Connor; S O’Brien (S Hurley-Langton 40 ), W Connors, P Boyle (captain ).
LEINSTER: T Lawlor (C Gabriel 70 ); J Kenny, C Fahy (C Mangan 70 ), C Tector, Jordan Larmour; J Carbery, F Gunne (HIA – Cormac Foley 57 to 69 ); A Usanov (Dooley 63 ), Gus McCarthy (S Smyth 63 ), N Smyth (A Mullan 65 ); B Deeny, A Spicer (C O’Tighearnaigh 54 ); M Deegan (cap ), S Penny, J Culhane (A Soroka 71 ).
Referee: Hollie Davidson [SRU].
