Leinster with mountain to climb

Leinster 11, Perpignan 21 (latest)

Leinster have a mountain to climb as Perpignan have gone over for their second try in the Heineken Cup semi-final at Lansdowne Road.

Manny Edmonds, who converted the try, kicked over the penalty that gave Perpignan the lead after Pascal Bomati had levelled matters for the French when Giordani was a couple of metres short of the line, then chipped to Bomati, who claimed it in the corner to touch down for the try.

There was more bad news for Leinster, with the withdrawal of Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll, who looked to be carrying an injury all day. Brian O'Meara was also substituted after a mere two from seven successful kicks.

Gordon D'Arcy had gone over for Leinster minutes earlier after a fine solo effort by Denis Hickie, who offloaded to D'Arcy.

Two second-half drop goals by Frédéric Cermeno had drawn Perpignan level after the French went down to 14 men again as hooker Koniec was sent to the bin for careless use of the foot at the ruck.

A Brian O'Meara penalty was the only score of the opening half in a scrappy game in which both sides failed to settle, and he added a second in the opening minutes of the second half.