Leinster top pool after thrilling Bath victory

After coming out on the right side of a dogfight last weekend against La Rochelle, Leinster got the better of Bath in a thrilling Champions Cup shootout.

The bonus-point win leaves Leo Cullen's side well on course for a top-two seeding and home knockout games up to the final.

However, Toulon, top of pool four, can usurp Leinster if they are able to claim a bonus-point win in tomorrow's clash away to Sale Sharks, and improve their points difference by 37.

It's not impossible but highly unlikely, while Bordeaux, top seeds going into the final round, are also in action tomorrow against Hollywoodbets Sharks.

While the hosts ran out handsome 26-point winners, they trailed at the break and the 40,195 in attendance were treated to an open game with 10 tries on a perfect evening in Dublin 4.

Player of the match Robbie Henshaw grabbed a brace for Leinster in the first half, and Jack Conan also crossed over but the URC leaders trailed after Finn Russell converted Tom de Glanville's second try on the stroke of half-time.

But, once more, Leinster's bench made an impact.

RG Snyman's first of two tries gave Leinster the lead and after Bath had prop Beno Obano sent off in the 60th minute, ran in further scores from Garry Ringrose and Jamison Gibson-Park.

La Rochelle's surprise 25-32 loss at Benetton means Leinster topped the pool with 18 points from a possible 20, seven points clear of Ronan O'Gara's side.

After receiving much praise for their defensive effort in France, Leinster's rearguard was missing for the opening salvo against the Premiership leaders.

Bath retained possession from the kick-off and a measured, precise passage of attack put them in the lead with 70 seconds on the clock.

Russell pulled the strings to move the Leinster backline