Leinster showed their undoubted European pedigree with a 42-15 victory against Bath Rugby at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Bath started the game strongly, taking the lead after just a minute. Good work at the breakdown from Francois Louw, forced a penalty giving James Wilson the opportunity to put the first points on the scoreboard. The fly-half made no mistake, as his kick sailed through the uprights. [0-3]
Five minutes later Leinster got themselves on the scoreboard with the first try of the game. A cross-field kick from Johnny Sexton was taken well by James Lowe who took play up to the Bath 22. A couple of phases later the ball was spread out wide to Jack Conan who managed to fight off a few defenders, with his momentum carrying himself across the try line. Sexton converted from out wide to make it a seven-point score. [7-3]
A second try quickly followed for the reigning European Champions, as they extended their advantage with 12 minutes on the clock. A clever set piece move from Leinster on halfway gave Sexton the opportunity to draw his man and offload to Jordan Larmour outside him. The full-back charged up the field and found Rory O’Loughlin in support on his shoulder, with the centre running in to score. [14-3]
Bath responded well, with a try of their own eight minutes later. Will Chudley shipped the ball out to Wilson on the Leinster 22, who threw a dummy and then sent Jacques van Rooyen through the gap. The South African was stopped just short, but his compatriot Francois Louw was on hand to provide the finish from close range. Wilson converted to reduce the deficit to just four points. [14-10]
15 minutes before the interval Leinster took their lead back up to 11 points with some quick thinking from James Lowe. After Bath had conceded a penalty five metres out, Lowe caught the Bath defence off-guard by taking a quick tap and dived over the line. Sexton added the extras to maintain his 100% record from the tee. [21-10]
Two minutes from the break, Leinster put a bit of daylight on the scoreboard. With penalty advantage looming following a collapsed maul, Sexton showed just why he was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year. The Irish international sent a pinpoint kick out wide, which found the grateful hands of Adam Byrne, who scored Leinster's bonus-point try. [28-10]
Half-time – Leinster Rugby 28-10 Bath Rugby
Leinster added to their lead five minutes into the second half following sustained pressure in the Bath 22. The Irish giants went through the phases patiently, before Dan Leavy powered over from close range under the sticks. [35-10]
Bath scored their second try of the match seven minutes later. A penalty from Wilson, took his side from halfway to five metres out from the Leinster line. Following the rolling maul, the forwards continued to put pressure on the try line. The momentum was rewarded with a score, as Sam Underhill crossed the whitewash with support from Tom Ellis and Charlie Ewels. Wilson’s kick drifted wide of the left upright. [35-15]
Leinster rounded off an impressive performance with their sixth try of the game, 13 minutes from time. The men in blue took advantage of a loose ball in the midfield and charged forward into the Bath half. The ball was recycled to Lowe, who drew in two defenders before sending James Gibson-Park in to score. [42-15]
Full-time – Leinster Rugby 42-15 Bath Rugby
