Saints ruin O’Connor bow
Leinster………………………….. 13
Northampton Saints………… 21
By Daire Walsh
A 50th-minute try by lock Samu Manoa was crucial as Northampton Saints spoilt Matt O’Connor’s first home game as Leinster Coach in last night’s Bank Of Ireland friendly at Donnybrook.
Playing in their final pre-season encounter before their RaboDirect Pro12 campaign begins next weekend, Leinster started with plenty of intent and took the lead with five minutes gone, as Lansdowne prop Martin Moore supplied the finishing touches to a powerful maul to the right of the Saints’ posts.
However, Northampton got back on terms when Gareth Denman drove over. Manoa’s try and some accurate kicking ensured the Saints were untroubled by Dan Leavy’s late try.
Scorers For Leinster: M Moore, D Leavy try each, J Gopperth pen.
Scorers For Northampton Saints: G Denman, S Manoa try each, S Olver 2 pens, S Myler 1 pen, 1 con.
LEINSTER: D Hudson; D Fanning, B Macken, N Reid, S Coghlan-Murray; J Gopperth, L McGrath; J McGrath, A Dundon, M Moore; Q Roux, T Denton, R Ruddock, S Jennings, J Murphy.
Replacements Used: S Cronin, J Tracy, J O’Connell, T Furlong, T Beirne, B Marshall, D Ryan, D Leavy, L Auva’a, E Reddan, C Marsh, T Daly, C O’Shea, A Byrne, D Kearney.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS: J Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi, L Burrell, G North; S Myler, L Dickson; A Corbisiero, R McMillan, G Denman; C Lawes, S Manoa; C Clark, P Dowson, S Dickinson.
Replacements Used: M Haywood, A Waller, T Mercey, C Day, T Wood, B Nutley, J Craig, GJ Van Velze, R Glynn, J Elliott, V Artemyev, T Stephenson, T Collins, P Diggin, S Olver.
Referee: G Clancy (IRFU).