Supreme Sexton helps Leinster nullify mighty giants of Lyon pack

A RESILIENT defensive performance against a giant French opposition and a man-of-the-match display from Johnny Sexton saw Leinster triumph in Lyon to stay top of Pool 1. Leo Cullen’s men had just 38 per cent possession and 36 of territory at the Stade de Gerland, but still came out on top with No.8 Max Deegan scoring the game’s only try. Sexton kicked a conversion and two penalties to seal victory. Jonathan Wisniewski booted two Lyon penalties as they took a losing bonus point, but it is Leinster and Northampton – who are both unbeaten – in pole position to qualify for the latter stages. “We knew it was going to be tough, but we got the job done,” said Leinster head coach Cullen. “We can now turn our attention to Glasgow away in the PRO14 and back-to-back games against Northampton will be a great challenge for us. It’s tight between the two of us now, so we’ll be scrapping it out for every single point.” Sexton put the fourtime European winners ahead and then struck a post with a penalty effort. But that failed to stop the visitors from moving further clear. Lock James Ryan burst away

before being brought down inside Lyon’s 22. The ball was recycled for Deegan to score. Sexton converted Deegan’s try which came on his first European start. Leinster wing Jordan Larmour was sent to the sin bin for picking the ball up from Lyon’s side of the ruck after the visitors had lost possession from their own put-in at a scrum. Despite long periods of possession inside Leinster’s 22, the hosts were unable to make their pressure tell as last season’s finalists defended admirably to lead 10-0 at the break. Lyon finally got on the board when Wisniewski slotted a penalty in the 67th minute after Leinster infringed at the line-out. Sexton thought he had crossed for a try, but although the score was chalked off the fly-half kicked a penalty from the advantage played by referee Luke Pearce. Wiesnewski slotted a late penalty to ensure Lyon took something from the game, but Leinster’s impressive rearguard performance meant that was all they got. “We started well and put a lot of pressure on Lyon at different stages,” Cullen said. “It was a big moment when Jordan went to the bin and we able to hold them out. “When we really needed to defend well, the guys were able to stick to the task.”