It was a routine victory for Leinster as they ran out 61-17 victors away from home, but Leo Cullen will be pleased at the manner in which their young side disposed of a poor Treviso outfit.
The young guns on show included tighthead Thomas Clarkson, lock Joe McCarthy, Jamie Osborne at centre, and substitute scrumhalf Cormac Foley.
Leinster 61-17 Treviso Highlights
The recent performances of McCarthy will be particularly pleasing given his size. In recent years Leinster have been undone in Europe by the enormous packs of Saracens and La Rochelle, while Ireland have struggled against England and recently France. McCarthy's size of 6 foot 6 and 18 and a half stone, at only 20 years of age, gives him a huge advantage.
There were also a few players who are looking to get themselves into international contention.
Jordan Larmour continued his fine form and dotted down for an excellent try in the 28th minute.
Benetton Treviso 3-21 Leinster: Jordan Larmour scores his sixth try in nine starts to further extend the Leinster lead. #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/2zVWKoFKlG
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 5, 2022
Jimmy O’Brien, who was recently called up to train with the Ireland squad, had another impressive performance that included two tries.
Benetton Treviso 10-49 Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien gets his name among the scorers with perhaps the best try of the afternoon. #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/NLMbnidmJo
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 5, 2022
After a year of injury struggles, Max Deegan has finally had a run of games for Leinster and seems to be improving with each outing. Deegan was capped during Andy Farrell’s first Six Nations campaign in 2020, and looked to be neck and neck with Caelan Doris as a 6/8 option for club and country.
Since then Doris has gone onto much greater heights and Deegan will be desperate to make up the ground lost. He was also able to nab a try for himself with the first score of the match.
Benetton Treviso 0-7 Leinster: Max Deegan opens the scoring for the visitors who bash their way over. #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/YigWLQomzk
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 5, 2022
Ross Byrne has found himself down the international pecking order at outhalf, but his man of the match performance today will keep him firmly in the thoughts of Andy Farrell.
The win means that Leinster have regained their top spot in URC, after Ulster held it briefly following their 48-12 win over Cardiff last night.
74 minutes into today’s URC clash between Leinster and Benetton Treviso, Leinster’s doctor John Ryan took a heavy hit after Benneton winger Rhyno Smith accidentally crashed into him.
Unluckily for Ryan there was a step just below him, which he tripped over. Thankfully he was unhurt from the incident, and in a respectful show of sportsmanship, Smith made sure he was ok.
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