Cronin’s try double gets Leinster on a bonus run

LEINSTER lost five of their pool games last season but the threetimes champions began brilliantly with a bonus point victory over Castres at the RDS.

Leinster’s only win in last year’s competition came at home against Bath, but they already have five points on the board now and openside Josh van der Flier was delighted.

“It was a tough game. Castres are a really good side so we’re really happy with that performance,” he said.

“Castres kept coming at us. It was disappointing to concede 15 points. A bit to work on for next week against Montpellier but, overall, a pleasing performance.

“Our maul was very good. The front row put in an unbelievable performance especially at scrum time. They really set us up with a good platform.”

Leinster were 19-10 up at half-time but should have led by more. Sean Cronin touched down twice and Jack McGrath also scored, but Castres scored a late penalty try.

Cronin scored Leinster’s first try in the ninth minute and he drove over for another off the back of a maul in the 26th minute. Leinster were 12-0 after Nacewa’s conversion but Benjamin Urdapilleta scored a Castres penalty.

Jack McGrath touched down on his 100th cap after 34 minutes and when Isa Nacewa converted they had a 19-3 lead.

But Castres were awarded a penalty try when Luke McGrath came in from the side at a rolling maul, and referee Matthew Carley went under the posts.

Urdapilleta scored the conversion and Luke McGrath was shown yellow. But despite Castres’ one-man advantage, Leinster scored the bonus point try through Nacewa eight minutes after halftime.

Castres were next to feel the wrath of the referee when replacement second row Thibault Lassalle was shown yellow for persistent infringements.

Leinster won a penalty try, but Anthony Jelonch scored a consolation for the French late on.

Van der Flier starred in front of Irish coach Joe Schmidt but the flanker said it’s all about Leinster for the time being.

He said: “With Joe Schmidt there that’s in the back of everyone’s mind but we’re just trying to focus on getting some points on the board in Europe.”