Lowe leads Leinster to total domination
LEINSTER emphatically ended La Rochelle’s bid for a hat-trick of Champions Cup titles and march on in pursuit of a record-equalling fifth tournament triumph.
Wing James Lowe (two), scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park, flanker Ryan Baird and hooker Dan Sheehan scored tries, while fly-half Ross Byrne kicked three conversions and three penalties as Leinster never looked in danger of losing to their French rivals.
Leinster controlled the early exchanges and La Rochelle’s defence was stretched in all directions before Lowe touched down and Byrne converted.
Leinster struck again following clever interplay between Lowe and Gibson-Park that ended with the scrum-half sprinting over unopposed. Byrne’s conversion left Leinster in charge of the contest but they were unable to close out the first 40 minutes before La Rochelle dragged themselves back into contention. A converted try by Louis Penverne made it 23-13 at the break.
However, remarkably, it was the last time the French side would score as Leinster piled on the points over the course of the second half. It was ruthless rugby from the Irish side and the giant players of La Rochelle had no answer as they found themselves dominated in all departments.