Harry Byrne Leo Cullen Ross Byrne Hugo Keenan Caelan Doris Cian Healy Leinster Rugby France Jordan Sport Rugby Harry Byrne Leo Cullen Ross Byrne Hugo Keenan Caelan Doris Cian Healy Leinster Rugby France Jordan

Lethal Leinster outclass Gloucester

rte.ie

Leinster cruised into the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 after sweeping aside Gloucester at Kingsholm.The four-time European champions were never seriously threatened as they followed up a 57-0 victory over the same opponents before Christmas with another comprehensive success.Leo Cullen's side secured a bonus-point by half-time through tries from wing Jordan Larmour, prop Michael Ala'alatoa, centre Jamie Osborne and number eight Caelan Doris.Fly-half Ross Byrne converted all four scores and, although Gloucester claimed two penalty tries from collapsed mauls, it was damage limitation from an early stage.Leinster full-back Hugo Keenan crossed early in the second period for a try that Byrne again converted, then flanker Josh van der Flier touched down, with replacement Harry Byrne adding the extras.And Ronan Kelleher added a seventh Leinster try on the stroke of full-time, converted by Harry Byrne, leaving Gloucester to reflect on their heaviest home defeat in top-flight European competition.With eight teams qualifying from each of two pools, though, Gloucester could still reach the Champions Cup knockout phase if they beat Bordeaux-Begles in France next weekend.But for Leinster, it is already a case of mission accomplished in terms of progressing from their group, and a record-equalling fifth European title is certainly not beyond them on current form.Gloucester showed two changes from the team edged out by Gallagher Premiership opponents Saracens, with George Barton replacing full-back Lloyd Evans and Seb Atkinson starting at inside centre instead of Giorgi Kveseladze.Centre Garry Ringrose returned to captain Leinster, while prop Cian Healy was set to make his 100th appearance for the province after being named among

Related News
Reigning European Professional Rugby Club (EPCR) Player of the Year Josh van der Flier is among five Irish players nominated on the long list for the 2023 award.
A youthful Leinster team maintained their BKT United Rugby Championship table-topping form with a 38-14 win over Cardiff at the RDS.
Joey Carbery will start for Munster in Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Benetton in Italy, one of seven players retained in the line-up from last week's defeat to Toulouse.
If Jason Jenkins ever felt sorry for himself during his season at Munster, he didn't have to look far to snap out of it.
Leinster and Ulster's Heineken Champions Cup last-16 tie will be played at the Aviva Stadium, after the EPCR confirmed the kick-off details for the eight knockout matches.
Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, to break down the big talking points in the week of rugby.

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.