RUGBY
Carbery returns as Leinster complete clean sweep of victories
By Daire Walsh
IT was another profitable weekend in the European Rugby Champions Cup for Leinster, whose 23-14 success over Montpellier helped them to finish with a perfect winning record in Pool Three.
This gave them 27 points from a maximum total of 30, putting them 12 points clear of their nearest rivals (Exeter Chiefs). As a result, they are the top ranked side heading into the knockout stages and will now face Saracens in a mouthwatering quarter-final.
Saracens – currently under the guidance of former Ireland international Mark McCall – brushed off some indifferent form to secure the runner-up spot in Pool Two. Given their status as back-to-back European champions, Sarries will provide a stiff examination of Leinster’s credentials.
“Our focus all along was to just get out of our pool given that we were drawn against three teams at the top of their respective domestic competitions. The players and the back room staff have worked incredibly hard to achieve that goal and to achieve the home Quarter-Final in the Aviva Stadium on Easter weekend,” said Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen.
“The challenge doesn’t get any easier against a Saracens team looking for three Champion Cup titles in a row.
“They’re well coached under Mark McCall and have an array of English and foreign talent at their disposal and they’re showing good form in Europe and in the Premiership. They’re the top try scorers in both competitions so we’re under no illusions as to the task ahead.
“It’s a while away yet but great to know who we have and we can start planning. It’s a challenge that we very much look forward to and I know the Leinster supporters will respond in kind to make it a brilliant occasion at the Aviva,” he added.
Yet, with the Blues currently challenging on two fronts, there may well be a changing of the guard this season. Much has been made of the embarrassment of riches at Cullen’s disposal, and the six changes in personnel did little to weaken their starting line-up in the Altrad Stadium on Saturday.
Following some impressive displays at provincial level in recent weeks, Suncroft’s Fergus McFadden has been recalled to the Irish squad for the opening two rounds of the Six Nations Championship. He began this visit to the French city on the replacements bench, where he was joined by the fit-again Joey Carbery.
Injured during Ireland’s Guinness Series triumph against Fiji, Carbery’s last appearance for Leinster was in a October 21st PRO14 encounter with Glasgow Warriors. The Athy man’s prolonged absence has given Ross Byrne a chance to shine, and he marked his 18th appearance of the season with a fourth-minute try.
The prodigious fly-half added a penalty at the end of the first-quarter, but just when it looked like Leinster had a firm grip on the play, the Montpellier challenge suddenly came to life. Ex-Springbok Bismarck du Plessis crossed over on 24 minutes, and this was followed by a similar effort from Yacouba Camara towards the end of the half.
World Cup winner Aaron Cruden added the bonuses to these scores, offering Montpellier a 14-8 lead at the break. Leinster didn’t display any signs of panic, though, and a 11-minute blitz at the beginning of the second half served as a reminder of the quality within their ranks.
Robbie Henshaw and Sean Cronin touched down in the 45th and 51st minutes respectively, and an additional five points via the boot of Byrne gave them a nine-point advantage. Carbery and McFadden deputised for Rob Kearney and James Lowe in the closing stages of the action, as Leinster successfully denied Montpellier a losing bonus point with a powerful defensive performance.
Joining the Blue Army in the last-eight will be their arch rivals Munster, who have booked a date with Toulon after finishing at the summit of Pool Four. Eadestown native Tadhg Beirne also has a big European tie to look forward to on the weekend of 31 March, when his Scarlets side will play La Rochelle in their Welsh base.