Leaky, ill-disciplined Sharks crushed in Dublin after URC leaders Leinster flex muscles

The Sharks suffered their first defeat of the season when Leinster crushed them 54-34 in Dublin on Saturday, after, ironically, playing their best 60 minutes of rugby so far.

Unfortunately, rugby is an 80-minute game and the Sharks learnt a harsh lesson about playing and defending for the full course after the home side scored four of their eight tries in the final 20 minutes to take the game completely away from the Durbanites.

The scoreline will never say it, but the Sharks were well in this entertaining, blow-for-blow United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at the RDS Arena before they completely disintegrated defensively and their discipline nosedived.

AS IT HAPPENED | URC: Leinster v Sharks

The hosts took charge from kick-off and put the Sharks under pressure, turning down kickable penalties but getting the first try four minutes into the clash.

It was a familiar name, too, former Bulls lock Jason Jenkins reaching his long arm over to touch down.

Scoring that early settled and buoyed the full home crowd, who expected their team to press home the early advantage against one of SA's traditionally strong franchises.

The Sharks, though, hit back five minutes later through fullback Aphelele Fassi, who scythed through the Leinster line after a brilliant backline move from a lineout drive.

Fassi howled in part delight, part frustration after scoring, a clear sign that he needed something to go his way after months of disappointment this year.

But the Springbok quickly let himself down again when he let Garry Ringrose get through him in the tackle in a move that led to Leinster's second try, scored by the Irish international centre.

The "double reach" from Ringrose was questionable but Welsh referee Craig Evans saw no issues after the