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3 hours ago
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Harry Byrne’s goal-kicking proved the difference as error-strewn Leinster held off a determined Leicester to claim a 23-15 Investec Champions Cup victory at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Each team scored two tries but three penalties and a conversion from Byrne were decisive as the bottom side Leicester’s European campaign continued to falter and they remain pointless after their opening two fixtures.
Jamison Gibson-Park and Dan Sheehan scored Leinster’s tries, with Sam Prendergast’s conversion ensuring that the spirited Tigers finished with nothing to show for their efforts.
The wings Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassell-Collins scored Leicester’s tries, with Billy Searle adding a penalty and a conversion.
Prior to kick-off, the visitors lost Tadhg Furlong from their starting lineup and within three minutes, Jack Conan had departed to fail a head injury assessment.
Despite these injury setbacks, Leinster looked to have taken the lead when a pre-planned move saw Robbie Henshaw knock down a long lineout throw to Tommy O’Brien, who raced over but TMO replays revealed that Henshaw had started his run from an offside position.
The visitors’ injury woes continued when Jimmy O’Brien left the field with a leg problem before a major melee developed after James Lowe took exception to a tackle in the air from Radwan.
The Irish continued to dominate the opening exchanges and deservedly took the lead with a straightforward penalty from Byrne – but this was soon nullified by one from Searle to leave the scores level at the end of the first quarter.
Remarkably the Tigers then scored the first try of the game when Leinster lost possession in the home 22 and Radwan fly-hacked the loose ball three times along the right-hand touchline before crossing over.
Byrne kicked his second penalty but on the stroke of half-time the home side scored another try when Hassell-Collins latched on to a well-judged crossfield kick from Searle to pounce as the Irish defence dithered. Searle missed the conversion but Leicester took a 15-6 lead into the break.
Within four minutes of the restart, Searle had a chance to extend that advantage but his 40-metre penalty attempt sailed wide. Five minutes later, Leinster roared back into contention when the home side lost control of the ball at a scrum in their own 22. Gibson-Park capitalised by seizing possession before brushing aside two weak tackles to score.
That try was the spur for Leinster to put their opponents under the cosh as they conceded continual penalties, one of which Byrne kicked to give his team a one-point lead going into the final quarter.
That was Byrne’s final action of the night as he was replaced by Prendergast and the visitors sealed victory with a converted try from Sheehan after a lineout drive.
