Gibson-Park shines as Blues put Tigers back in their cage

LEINSTER underlined their Heineken Champions Cup credentials with a devastating first-half performance that laid the foundations for a crushing quarter-final defeat of Leicester at Welford Road.

Tournament favourites Leinster fielded a starting XV containing 13 Ireland internationals and the gulf in class told as they powered 20-0 ahead by half-time, with scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park in mesmerising form.

The New Zealand-born Ireland international has been a revelation since promoted to first choice by national coach Andy Farrell and Gibson-Park’s growing confidence is influencing his provincial performances now for Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster.

The scrum-half was buzzing behind a Leinster pack that seemed determined to prove they can front up physically to Europe’s more renowned forward units and The Blues’ two first-half tries stemmed from this attitude with industrious flanker Josh van der Flier and centre Robbie Henshaw crossing after relentless pressure.

Johnny Sexton converted both and his two penalties made in 20-0 at the break, the first time in three years Leicester had been kept scoreless by the time the interval arrived as the foundations were laid for the demise of their unbeaten home record this season.

A Tigers uprising followed with Chris Ashton finishing a beautifully taken try – his 41st in Europe – but their lung-busting effort was not matched by an ability to threaten the line as Leinster set up a semi-final against Toulouse next weekend.

Replacement fly-half Ross Byrne extended the lead to 23-7 and while replacement hooker Nic Dolly completed a maul try for the hosts in the final minute, the result had long since been settled. It was a result to give England’s best team pause for thought but Leinster can face into the clash against Toulouse with supreme confidence.

Leinster: H Keenan; J O’Brien (T O’Brien 72), G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J Lowe; J Sexton (capt) (R Byrne 62), J Gibson-Park (L McGrath 71); A Porter (C Healy 62-76), R Kelleher (D Sheehan 48), T Furlong (M Ala’alatoa, 62); R Molony, J Ryan (J McCarthy 76); C Doris, J van der Flier, J Conan (R Ruddock 71). scorers - tries: Van der Flier, Henshaw. Cons: Sexton (2), Pens: Sexton (2), Byrne.

LeiCester: F Steward; C Ashton (F Burns 66), M Moroni (N Nadolo 45), G Porter, H Potter; G Ford, B Youngs (R Wigglesworth 59); E Genge (capt, J Whitcombe 76), J Montoya (N Dolly 74), D Cole (J Heyes 59); O Chessum, C Green (H Wells 62); H Liebenberg, T Reffell (G Martin 50), J Wiese. scorers - tries: Ashton, Dolly. Cons: Ford (2). referee: Mathieu Raynal (France).