Nobody on the canvas after ding-dong Sportsground battle

Leinster will still be expected to complete the job in the Aviva Stadium in six days’ time and book their place in the last eight, but Andy Friend’s men showed enough of themselves to make that trip across country with hope in their hearts.

Leinster's Garry Ringrose with Sammy Arnold of Connacht

Heineken Champions Cup: Connacht 21 Leinster 26 

First blood to Leinster, then, but there was no knockout punch landed in Galway last night with Connacht doing more than enough to keep this two-legged round of 16 Heineken Champions Cup tie alive for another week.