Leinster ease past Stade Francais to book last 16 spot

It was business as usual for Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, as they booked their place in the last-16 of the Investec Champions Cup.

The four-time champions flexed their muscles in a 43-7 win over Stade Francais to get back to winning ways, while Leo Cullen's side barely had to leave third gear to brush past a feeble French resistance.

Having slopped through dreadful conditions in the Christmas Interpros against Munster and Ulster, Leinster finally got into their flow in attack as they ran in seven tries across the 80 minutes. Had they been more ruthless in the first half, it could and should have been even more.

Frustratingly, Ciarán Frawley now looks to be an injury doubt for the Six Nations. The out-half lasted just 43 minutes before limping off the pitch with what looks to be a lower back or hip injury, having shipped a heavy tackle.

The 26-year-old had been running the attack with sharp precision to that point, and appeared to have be a lock in Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad to be announced Wednesday. Both Leinster and Ireland supporters will eagerly await that injury update.

In more positive news, James Lowe returned to action as if he’d never been away. The left wing was making his first appearance since the World Cup quarter final after an extended break was followed by a minor injury, but he looked on top form as he started the game with a try on 17 minutes, and followed it up with an impressive all-round display.

Josh van der Flier and Dan Sheehan followed it up with tries before half time, as Leinster held a 17-0 lead at the break, and they turned on the style in the second 40. Caelan Doris (below) and Jordan Larmour scored two tries apiece, with Larmour giving the watching Ireland coach a timely reminder of what he's