Monday, December 19, 2011
LEINSTER’S drawing power grows bigger and bigger, as evidenced by a crowd of 46,365 who braved the elements on a freezing Saturday night in Dublin.
They were rewarded with some champagne rugby as Leinster brushed aside the former kings of the English Premiership with embarrassing ease.
Bath director of rugby Ian McGeechan looked disconcerted at times as he watched his side opened up time and again by the clinical efficiency of the Leinster attack.
Bath have never endured a day like this in their proud history in the Heineken Cup and it says something about the gulf between the sides that Joe Schmidt had reason to feel disappointed after the game as his side lost their concentration in the final quarter, conceding three tries. That despite a bonus-point victory by a margin of 25 points.
It says something about the creativity and finishing power of Leinster on Saturday that they managed to cut Bath apart despite the fact that the injured Brian O’Driscoll was covering the game as a pundit for Sky Sports while Gordon D’Arcy spent much of the game on the bench. D’Arcy was introduced for Fergus McFadden on 52 minutes but Leinster were out of sight at that stage with even the four try bonus point secured.
In respect of their long-term planning, Leinster can rest easy in the knowledge that when their magnificent Ireland and Lions midfield combination eventually call it a day, their replacements in McFadden and Eoin O’Malley will not only slip in seamlessly but will also have a vital cushion of high quality game time behind them.
The other factor that will please Schmidt is the manner in which Luke Fitzgerald has bounced back from the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup. He was superb on Saturday.
In addition Rob Kearney is not only back to his threatening best after injury issues last season but is now linking and off-loading better than at any time in his career. When they hit this form, they are a joy to watch.
It helps also that Jonny Sexton has now taken over the show and leads Leinster in the same manner that Ronan O’Gara stamps his presence over everything that Munster achieve.
Sexton made New Zealand’s Stephen Donald look like a novice. Every time he puts on that blue jersey he becomes more imposing as a player. This weekend he delivered a smashing try, along with six conversions and a majestic drop goal on the run for good measure.
On this evidence, Leinster will win the pool at a canter and are looking good for a vital home quarter-final.
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