Leinster launch title defence with brutal 8-try rout
REIGNING champions Leinster put on a rugby demonstration at the RDS to inflict a record European Cup defeat on a woeful Wasps and underline their pre-tournament tag of favourites.
It was champagne stuff after the break with the Irish side unleashing their potent mix of forward power and brilliance behind the scrum where Johnny Sexton choreographed everything beautifully although on this occasion even he had second billing to Kiwi wing James Lowe.
Wasp hung on in the first half but had no answer after the break. Missing some big names and in indifferent form, it was no surprise they lost – but Dai Young will be disappointed at their eventual capitulation.
They were totally outgunned up front with only Thomas Young’s six turnovers offering any reliable source of possession while it was a huge wake up call for All Black Lima Sopagoa who was well off the pace and horribly out of sorts.
Willie Le roux also endured a miserable game although his recent globetrotting trying to please club and country is surely the reason for that.
Wasps conceded the first try after five minutes when Sean Cronin sprinted in from the base of a ruck 20m out although he was clearly offside when he picked up. Poor from referee Romain Poite who was so pedantic elsewhere.
Wasps also made it difficult for themselves, giving penalties away whenever they entered Leinster territory while Sopoaga was spraying passes all over the place, vital possession they could ill afford to lose.
He also copped a damaging yellow card in the first minute of first half added time for the deliberate knock on of a pass from Cronin that was, ironically, forward anyway. Leinster ruthlessly seized the moment, kicked deep for a lineout and 14 phases later Luke McGrath wriggled over to make the half-time score 14-3, much more representative of play.
On the scoreboard it still looked close but nobody was fooled. Leinster were just warming up and, for the next 40 minutes, had the wind on their backs against a tiring Wasps side. Carnage was indicated and that’s what transpired.
Just a minute into the new half the excellent Lowe burst through where Sopoaga – in the bin – would have been to sprint over for a fine try while McGrath helped himself to a second soon after following another powerful run from the Maori.
The match was won and the try bonus safely banked but in front of a capacity crowd at the RDS Leinster weren’t finished yet.
There was a second try for the deserving Lowe after a powerful burst from James Ryan and a pass between the legs from Sexton, followed by a try from Jordan Larmour.
It was relentless, and Robbie Henshaw crossed next as the Wasps defence faltered yet again.
The game was held up in the 77th minute when Poite was shaken by an accidental tackle from behind from Rhys Ruddock who was following the ball. Assistant ref Cyril Lafon took charge for the final three minutes – time enough for Leinster to score again through Jack McGrath from a lineout rumble.