Leinster impress despite narrow Lions defeat as Fintan Gunne scores hat-trick

Chalk and cheese compared to last year’s URC kick-off in South Africa, with Leinster leaving Johannesburg for Durban with two precious losing bonus points secured in the dying moments. The comprehensive 35-0 defeat to the Stormers set the tone for a poor start to last season and was on Leo Cullen’s mind as he plotted for his final campaign in charge.

In that context, the head coach will be quietly satisfied with this display against a more experienced Lions side that suffered just one defeat at Ellis Park last term.