Heaslip wary of French repercussion

Jamie Heaslip, man of the match in Leinster’s emphatic 53-7 defeat of Bourgoin, believes the off-colour French side will prove an altogether different proposition at their Stade Pierre Rajon base next Saturday.

Heaslip was one of seven try-scorers as Leinster easily brushed aside Bourgoin to remain three points behind Bath in the pool four standings.

However, the talented number eight is expecting a much tighter affair on Gallic soil.

Heaslip, who turns 22 next Thursday, said: “They were missing a few players like their captain Julien Bonnaire and certainly weren’t firing on all cylinders - but that was because we were really on top of things.

“It’s guaranteed they won’t be like that next weekend – French sides are traditionally bad travellers but any time you score a half-century of points you’ve got to be pleased.”

The result looked done and dusted for Leinster at the interval as they led 27-0 thanks to tries from Robert Kearney, who was called into the Ireland training squad alongside Heaslip last month, captain Felipe Contepomi and Keith Gleeson.

Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy then touched down, four minutes into the second half, to chalk up Leinster’s bonus point.

Bourgoin’s Kiwi centre Glenn Davis opened their try account soon after but further home efforts from Kearney, Heaslip and replacement Cameron Jowitt shut the door on any comeback plans Christophe Urios’s side had.

Contepomi kicked six conversions and two penalties in all to add to his try.

Leinster coach Michael Cheika, mindful of how tight the Irish province’s 26-23 pool win in Bourgoin was 12 months ago, is already plotting for the return match.

The Australian said: “We stepped forward and went up a notch with our performance tonight, but already the focus is on next week.

“We’ve switched our focus to the next game. We’ve got to come away and play even better next week. Having lost at home to Bath, we know we’ve got to win every game from here on in.

“Getting a result away from home is never easy in this competition, and Bourgoin aren’t fifth in the French championship for nothing.”

Bourgoin coach Christophe Urios admitted: “We’re very disappointed. We allowed Leinster too much space and they took their tries very well. We’re now seven points behind Leinster in the table and a bonus point win is all we will be looking for next week.”