Lowe stars but Scarlets show grit to earn bonus
Leinster ................ 20pts Tries: Lowe 19, 35, McGrath 41 Conversions: Frawley 42 Penalties: Frawley 71 Scarlets ................ 13pts Tries: McNicholl 10 Conversions: Jones 12 Penalties: Jones 57, 80
SCARLETS head coach Wayne Pivac praised a gutsy Tadhg Beirne display as the Welsh outfit left Leinster with a deserved losing bonus point.
The reigning champions won at the RDS for just the second time ever in last season’s PRO12 semi-final, but they were unable to repeat that feat this time round against a Leinster side keen to bounce back after last weekend’s loss in Edinburgh.
Defeat sees Scarlets lose ground at the top of Conference B, but it was another stellar display from Irishman Beirne.
“He is one of the best buys Scarlets have ever had,” said Pivac. “Tadhg has been immense for us week in, week out. He will play for Ireland someday but for now we are very happy to have him.”
Scarlets scored early through Johnny McNicholl but that was cancelled by a couple of unconverted James Lowe tries and Leinster took a 10-7 half-time lead.
Luke McGrath scored early in the second-half and Ciaran Frawley pushed Leinster clear. Tom Prydie’s injury meant Scarlets had to play nine minutes with 14 men but Dan Jones kicked a lastgasp penalty to secure a losing bonus point.
After a good start from the hosts, Scarlets began to show their fearsome attacking prowess, with Beirne a primary weapon.
The former Leinster lock, who was operating at blindside flanker, won an important turnover. And in the tenth minute, he made the initial break for McNicholl’s try.
The ball found its way to Paul Asquith who fed James Davies, and McNicholl crossed in the left corner. It was 7-0 to Scarlets but their pack was clearly outmuscled.
Scarlets gave away a penalty when they dragged down a maul in the 18th minute. Leinster drove forward from the subsequent line-out, and off front foot ball, Lowe got his chance and scored down the left wing.
Ross Byrne missed the conversion but Leinster eventually found the lead just before half-time, and it was down to the fantastic work of Australian international Scott Fardy.
Fardy won a Scarlets line-out, and when the Welsh retrieved possession he blocked down scrumhalf Jonathan Evans, before Lowe scored with another powerful finish.
Byrne missed another conversion attempt down the left touchline but his side were 10-7 ahead at the interval.
Lowe was central to McGrath’s try just after half-time. He held his feet
brilliantly before a deft offload to the Leinster scrum-half who scored his side’s third try in the 41st minute.
Leinster were comfortable at the start of the second-half but they didn’t move clear of Scarlets and Dan Jones brought them into bonus point territory with a penalty just before the hour.
Frawley cancelled that out with a penalty in the 71st minute and two minutes later Jones missed a gilt-edged chance before he rescued a point with the final kick of the game.
But Leinster secured a precious win and their former Chiefs winger Lowe was the star man again.
“I am enjoying my time here, the boys have been very welcoming and they love their rugby up here,” said Lowe.
“As long as we are winning the big games that’s what it is all about.”