LOWE TO HIGH
Wing James helps Blues get back to winning ways
LEINSTER got back to winning ways with James Lowe leading the way against champions Scarlets at the RDS.
Scarlets scored early through Johnny Mcnicholl but But that was cancelled out by a couple of Lowe efforts and Leinster took a 10-7 half-time lead.
Luke Mcgrath scored early in the second-half and Ciaran Frawley pushed the home side clear.
Tom Prydie’s injury meant Scarlets had to play nine minutes with 14 men but Dan Jones kicked a last gasp penalty to secure a losing bonus point.
After a good start from the hosts Scarlets began to show their fearsome attacking prowess, with Tadhg 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 to make it 7-0 to Scarlets.
The visitors 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 took the lead just before half-time, and it was down to the fantastic work of Scott Fardy.
The Australian international 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. He held his feet brilliantly before a deft off-load to the Leinster scrum-half, who scored his side’s third try in the 41st minute. Leinster were comfortable but 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 in the 71st minute and two minutes later Dan 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 was the star man once again.
“They love their rugby up here. I am definitely enjoying my time, the boys have been very friendly and welcoming,” said Lowe (inset).
“So as long as we are winning the big games that’s what it is all about.”
Visiting boss Wayne Pivac sang the praises of Munsterbound Tadhg Beirne afterwards.
He said: “One of the best buys Scarlets have ever had. Tadhg has been immense for us week in week out. He will play for Ireland some day but for now we are very happy to have him.”