Conan’s the destroyer as Leinster fire into quarters

LEINSTER brought their try scoring tally to 18 in a week as Jack Conan’s hattrick saw them become the first team to reach the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup with a comprehensive victory over 14-man Montpellier.

Leo Cullen’s side dominated throughout and scored tries from Isa Nacewa and the brilliant Conan before Francois Steyn was red carded for a high tackle on Johnny Sexton 13 minutes before half-time.

A third from Adam Byrne and Conan’s second before the hour mark sealed the fivepoint haul as Cullen’s rampant troops waltzed into the last eight.

“I thought the lads showed really good intent – when you want to play at pace you see rewards later in the game,” said Cullen. “The red card changes the dynamic of the game drastically, but the guys were playing well up until that point.”

Despite conceding three tries in 14 minutes, Montpellier had their chances in the opening period. Steyn missed a kick at goal before Joe Tomane had a try ruled out for a knock on, but they struggled with the pace of Leinster’s play.

After 15 minutes a great move off a lineout on the left saw Rory O’Loughlin break the line, which eventually saw Nacewa score in the corner. Despite a Steyn penalty that put the Top 14 side on the board, Leinster stretched their lead to 14-3 in the 24th minute when quick hands from Nacewa allowed Conan to canter in for a second try.

With Sexton off the pitch for a head injury assessment, Nacewa stretched Leinster’s advantage to 17-3. Adam Byrne then claimed Luke McGrath’s box kick, swapped passes with Conan and dotted down in the corner. This time Ross Byrne added the touchline extras for a 24-3 interval lead.

Nacewa worryingly limped off two minutes after the break for Leinster, and as the search for a bonus-point try was launched, Leinster were frustrated to see his replacement, Rob Kearney, fluff a 53rd minute chance.

But a minute later Conan barged over under the posts after their maul ate into Montpellier territory for the score to seal the bonus-point win.

Luke McGrath ran through a gap off the back of another rolling maul for a fifth try, before Cian Healy crossed and Conan wrapped up his hat-trick.