Llanelli run riot as Leinster's fine record left in tatters

THE blows just keep on coming for Irish rugby.

All three provinces might have lost last night but Leinster's defeat was surely the most traumatic, having surrendered six tries and their 100% record in this year’s Magners League after a car crash of a performance in the second half.

Leinster had won 16 straight at home in the Magners League prior to this and victory would have equalled the tournament record of 17 currently held by the Cardiff Blues.

“You can’t play with indiscipline like we did on the ground, in defence and at the contact zone,” said an understandably animated coach Michael Cheika. “When you do you get punished, like at school, which is where we got taken tonight.”

Cheika’s side did not welcome back any of their Ireland contingent and had four new signings starting up front and six backs aged 23 or under.

Down by five points at the break, the concession of four tries inside 11 minutes midway through the second period saw them trail by 34 points before a late rally and two tries brought some comfort to the scoreboard.

Llanelli struck after just three minutes. Starting with a lineout on their own 22, the visitors worked the ball from right to left with a sense of urgency. Regan King made the final pass for Matthew Watkins who switched on the afterburners and touched down.

Rhys Priestland added the two points but Leinster were back in touch within seconds, Jonathan Sexton releasing Christian Warner to squeak in at the left corner after Shane Jennings secured the restart.

Sexton could only find the post with his conversion attempt but scored a penalty after 20 minutes. Priestland had added a penalty to his earlier kick by then and he would outscore his fellow out-half by a further two penalties to one before the interval, to leave the Welsh 16-11 to the good.

Priestland’s last six points in the opening half came directly from Leinster handling errors, at least one of which could be contributed directly to a blatant offside from Llanelli which went unpunished.

Llanelli spent most of the opening half living on the edge at the break down and offside line and they were finally made pay for their indiscretions with 37 minutes played when lock Vernon Cooper was sent to the line for 10 minutes.

But Leinster failed to capitalise on that numerical advantage either side of the break.

The second half was pure torture for the Irish province.

Shane Jennings saw yellow midway through the 11-minute blitz but the dye was cast long before that.

Jonathan Edwards claimed two of Llanelli’s tries in the purple patch with James Bater and King pouncing for the others.

Leinster did get some respite and the chance to claim two tries through Stanley Wright and Jamie Heaslip.

But the victors had the last say, full-back Morgan Stoddart cantering over and allowing Priestland to add points number 51 and 52.

LEINSTER: R Kearney; G Brown, F McFadden, C Warner, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, C Willis; JF Gomez, B Jackman, S Knoop; T Hogan, L Cullen; S Jennings, K Gleeson, J Heaslip. Replacements: R McCarron for Brown 28, S Wright for Knoop 40, C Jowitt for Hogan 54, S Keogh for Gleeson 57, B Blaney for Jackman 68, C Keane for Willis 72, D Toner for McFadden 78.

CARDIFF: M Stoddart; Garan Evans, R King, Gavin Evans, M Watkins; R Priestland, L Davies; P John, H Hayter, D Manu; V Cooper, A Eustace; J Bater, J Edwards, D Jones. Replacements: K Owens for Hayter 40, G Cattle for Davies 49, N Brew for Garan Evans 49, J Davies for Watkins 80.

Referee: J Jones (WRU).