Stylish Leinster claim victory as Wasps are left to Roux blunder
LEINSTER made hard work of this one but have advanced to the semi-finals and an away clash with either Clermont or Toulon after surviving a strong second-half fightback from the Premiership leaders in Aviva Stadium.
The home side looked home and hosed when they led 25-3 with little more than half an hour remaining but two converted tries brought Wasps right back into it before replacement wing Fergus McFadden went over five minutes from time to make the game safe.
Some of the home side’s play in the first half was reminiscent of the glory years under Michael Cheika and Joe Schmidt.
After Johnny Sexton’s seventh minute penalty had opened Leinster’s account, Isa Nacewa raced on to Joey Carbery’s brilliant pass to set the tone for a dominant opening 40 minutes which saw Leinster establish a 22-3 lead.
Sexton’s 49th minute penalty extended the advantage but Leinster were left to endure a few nervous moments before securing a win they certainly deserved.
The last meeting between the sides in the final Pool match last season had seen Leinster suffer their worstever European Cup defeat as they came out on the wrong side of a 51-10 scoreline conceding seven tries.
Sexton, Jack McGrath and Devin Toner were the only three survivors from the starting 15 for that game but Leinster’s form this season has been infinitely better; and yesterday’s win means they have lost only four times in 25 games in Europe and the Pro 12. Sexton opened the scoring when the visitors’ skipper Joe Launchbury was penalised at a lineout maul and the home fans in the packed 50,266 attendance didn’t have long to wait for the opening try,
Eight minutes later, a Garry Ringrose break from broken play in midfield gave the home side the initial platform inside the Wasps 22. Robbie Henshaw almost put Dan Leavy through and when Leinster moved the ball left, Carbery found Nacewa who raced over in the corner for his seventh try of the season. Leinster’s handling was far more assured in the opening quarter with backs and forwards eager to spread the ball wide.
One trademark turnover on the ground by temporary replacement Josh Van der Flier gave Sean O’Brien the chance to bring play into Wasps territory but Sexton’s kick for position went straight into touch. However, Leinster received a huge slice of luck on 24 minutes. Jimmy Gopperth linked with Kurtley Beale and the Australian full back drew the last defender and put Willie Le Roux clear.
A try looked inevitable as the winger raced towards the line unopposed but for some inexplicable reason, the 27year-old South African tried a Chris Ashton-style dive and disastrously lost control while attempting to ground the ball.
Although Wasps finally opened their account in the 32nd minute, courtesy of a Gopperth penalty, the home side delivered two massive blows as the first half drew towards a close.
The impressive Carbery found McFadden who had replaced the injured Adam Byrne and the full back accepted the return pass before putting number eight Jack Conan over for a try which Sexton converted.
The out-half again added the extras when Leinster crossed for their third try from the final play of the half.
Leavy’s steal in midfield set O’Brien away and the flanker linked well with Sexton who sent Henshaw in.
Wasps have been scoring tries for fun in the Premiership and they finally got one in the 53rd minute.
Christian Wade scooped up a loose ball close to the right touchline and judged his chip ahead to perfection to touch down. Gopperth then showed great strength to force his way over for a second on 61 minutes with Leinster guilty of slipping off their tackles.
It was game on at 25-17 with the Wasps bench making a definite impact. A fine break by Ringrose almost led to the insurance try but a knock on lifted the pressure on Wasps who were on the back foot in the closing 10 minutes.
McFadden has missed most of the season through injury but he showed good awareness to pick up from a ruck close to the line and when Sexton added the conversion, victory was finally assured.