Leinster fell to a second defeat in three Pro 14 games as they were defeated 39-24 by Glasgow Warriors at the RDS on Saturday.
Full-time at the RDS Arena.
An intercept try right at the end for the visitors. Rob and Dave with two tries each gives us a try bonus point.#LEIvGLA #JoinTheRoar pic.twitter.com/NFeTyiQCtn— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 13, 2024
The result now means that in Leinster’s past three Pro 14 games they have lost two and drawn the other and that they head into next weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final with Toulouse on the back of a loss.
Leinster were hindered early on as they lost fly-half Ross Byrne to a fourth minute yellow card as he tackled Tommy Seymour without the ball. Adam Hastings got the visitors up and running with the penalty.
Despite the home side being a man down they decided to go for the corner with a penalty and were rewarded when Dave Kearney stepped inside Stuart Hogg to touch down out wide. Joe Tomane was unsuccessful with the conversion, but it pushed them 5-3 ahead.
Hastings knocked Glasgow back in front with a penalty moments later and their lead was increased when Ali Price broke through the defence and offloaded to Sam Johnson who scored the try. Hastings added the extras and suddenly it was 13-5 to Glasgow.
Leinster responded well and with four minutes to go until the half-time whistle Rob Kearney scored his first try for club or country in 53 appearances. Byrne slotted the conversion over and there was only a point between the sides.
However, Leinster failed to hold out until the whistle as Seymour was sent over by Hastings. He missed the conversion this time around, but it meant the score was 18-12 to the away team at half-time.
Glasgow score right on half-time through Tommy Seymour to give the visitors a six-point lead at the break. #LEIvGLA #JoinTheRoar pic.twitter.com/kts0Qmy2Ji— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 13, 2024
Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Tadhg Furlong were introduced for Leinster and made an immediate impact as Healy burst holes in the Glasgow defence before Rob Kearney got in for his second try. Byrne put Leinster ahead with the kick.
Things got better for Leinster as Jordan Larmour used his dancing feet to create space and Rob Kearney got through before passing to brother Dave for his second try of the game. The conversion was missed but Leinster held a 24-18 lead.
Leinster’s evening began to fall apart within a minute of the score as Furlong was forced off with a knee injury and a Matt Fagerson coverted try put Glasgow 25-24 ahead.
Zander Fagerson secured the bonus-point for Glasgow as he burrowed his way over and the Hastings kick made it 32-24.
George Horne finished the job for the visitors with a fifth and final try of the afternoon. Hastings was again perfect from the tee to make it 39-24 to Glasgow and that’s how it ended.
The positives from the match for Leinster were that the returning Robbie Henshaw and Devon Toner had very good showings and Leo Cullen confirmed that Johnny Sexton will be available for next weeks game.
They will have to wait however to discover the extent of Furlong’s knee injury.
The win means that Glasgow head into the final round of fixtures at the top of Conference A and in pole position for a home semi-final. On the other hand, Leinster will have to improve greatly if they are to progress from their Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse next Sunday.
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