Ruthless Leinster issue statement of intent

LEINSTER showed enough in the opening half of yesterday’s facile victory over Glasgow to suggest they will not offer up their Heineken Cup title easily.

Now three weeks together after the reintegration of their World Cup players, they’re going from strength to strength.

The manner in which they mix their game allows them to tweak their approach in the heat of battle, a precious commodity. Yesterday, their work at the breakdown plus an excellent maul complemented their attacking prowess with ball in hand. They also demonstrated a ruthless streak when reduced to 14 men after a harsh yellow card for Devin Toner, scoring two converted tries.

Their strength in depth was highlighted once again when Eoin O’Malley, third choice outside centre behind Brian O’Driscoll and Fergus McFadden, reminded everyone of the ability he displayed when thrown in at the deep end away to Clermont Auvergne last season by scoring two well executed tries.

This RDS contest was done and dusted by half-time with the precision and execution of Leinster proving too much for a decent Glasgow side. Twenty five points ahead with the four try bonus point already in the bag there was no surprise that with the bench being emptied early the intensity of their second half effort waned somewhat.

Leinster have an outstanding mix of experience and youthful promise at their disposal with O’Malley and Rhys Ruddock just two that are striving manfully to make the big break through.

On the evidence of this performance Leinster have the capacity to get even better.