Leinster v Connacht lived up to its billing as the mouth-watering Irish derby between the European powerhouse and a wounded home side, hurting from a disappointing season and a loss to the same opponents a few weeks ago.
Unsurprisingly it was Connacht who came rapidly out of the blocks, heading deep into Leinster territory early on and scoring a well worked try through winger John Porch.
While Leinster were able to come away as 26-21 victors, both sides will be relatively happy. Leinster will be thankful for a five point lead heading into the second leg at the Aviva, while Connacht will be glad to be within touching distance after the game had threatened to get away from them.
The first try came after just two minutes with Porch taking a cracking line onto Jack Carty's slick pass, with the home supporters in full voice.
Lift off for Connacht! 🚀
Leinster are rocked as the hosts make an incredible start in Galway!#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/e8ul7Trfku— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 8, 2022
They were quickly brought back down to earth however as Leinster hit back swiftly with two tries in quick succession from James Lowe, in the 22nd and 26th minutes.
In one of the many sub-plots from the game, James Lowe seemed to be winning the battle of the Irish wingers against Mack Hansen.
Two tries in four minutes for James Lowe! 💪
The Ireland international puts Leinster in a commanding position in Galway.#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/0sUs0QKjiV— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 8, 2022
Jack Carty kept Connacht in touch with three penalties to leave to leave the score at 18-11 at the break.
A riveting first half was usurped by an even greater second, with plenty of key moments that threatened to change the course of the game in either side’s favour.
Connacht struck first with another Jack Carty penalty, before the away side hit back seven minutes later through Hugo Keenan, who scored off an intelligent first phase scrum move.
He was lurking and then he struck! 💥
Jamison Gibson-Park finds Hugo Keenan who goes over for Leinster in Galway.#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/uNHBXkubI5— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 8, 2022
Then came the most controversial moment of the match as Jamison Gibson Park was shown a yellow for what appeared to be a clear red for a shoulder to head challenge on his opposite number Kieran Marmion.
Given the amount of similar red card decisions in recent weeks, this was a massive decision in the context of the match, and a very surprising call in the context of rugby as a whole.
Commentator Brian O’Driscoll’s opinion of the incident was that it was “very hard to see any other colour than red.”
"He's very lucky. There's no doubt."
Do you agree with Karl Dickson's decision to show Jamison Gibson-Park a yellow card for this challenge?
Should the Leinster scrum-half have been sent off?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/f4OebNmX6H— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 8, 2022
Leinster got away with one, but Connacht still managed to take advantage of the extra man and scored through second row Leva Fifita to make the game 21-23 with Leinster still in the lead.
Connacht nearly went over soon after but thanks to some incredible last ditch defending, Leinster held out.
Each side traded blows until the end of the match with Ross Byrne kicking a penalty to make it 26-21. Leinster just managed to hold onto their lead after 80 minutes, with it all to play for next week at the Aviva.
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