LEINSTER ARE A CLASS APART

LEICESTER knew they were facing a Test-class team and so it proved. Leinster were imperious in seeing off the Premiership leaders on Saturday evening. Their first-half performance was of a standard which, hypothetically, could win them a Six Nations and earn a place in the semi-finals of a World Cup. Of course, they are close to being an Ireland team but there are times when they are better, in that shirt, with those coaches. They must be favourites for the Champions Cup now — despite the array of French firepower which stands between them and a fifth title. Once Leicester played to their strengths, they had a good crack but couldn’t match their opponents fluency and precision. It was a shame Welford Road was no closer to capacity for the Tigers’ biggest home game for years.