• Home
  • /
  • Rugby
  • /
  • Superb Sexton Try The Highlight As Leinster Start European Campaign With A Win

Superb Sexton Try The Highlight As Leinster Start European Campaign With A Win

Superb Sexton Try The Highlight As Leinster Start European Campaign With A Win
Maurice Brosnan
By Maurice Brosnan
Share this article

With Saracens in salary cap trouble, Toulouse and Racing languishing in the bottom half of the top 14 and Exter slow out of the blocks in England, Leinster's quest for a European crown looks promising and they set their stall out with a hard-fought victory over Benetton in the RDS Arena.

A Garry Ringrose hat-trick as well as tries from Ronan Kelleher and Johnny Sexton got the job done on a 33-19 scoreline. It was Sexton who secured the bonus point with a try he started and finished. After a difficult six months, the 34-year old celebrated strenuously as he got back to what he does best.

Recommended


In a pool that also contains Lyon and Northampton Saints, a bonus point was always required today and while Leo Cullen's outfit were made to work for it, they achieved that aim before the hour mark.

Advertisement

There was plenty of pressure and possession applied by a well-drilled Italian side but last year's finalists held strong with James Ryan and Rhys Ruddock racking up the tackle count. Of the exciting youthful contingent, Ronan Kelleher once again performed brilliantly as he finished with 12 tackles and a 100% accuracy rate in the lineout.

The 21-year-old always added his seventh try of the season.

A late Luca Sperandio try was a deserved consultation for Kieran Crowley's side. As for the home team, it wasn't always a pretty performance but they are off the mark with the result they wanted. Next up is an away trip to France.

Advertisement

SEE ALSO: Sensational Stockdale Last-Gasp Stop Helps Ulster To Crucial Away Win

Join The Monday Club Have a tip or something brilliant you wanted to share on? We're looking for loyal Balls readers free-to-join members club where top tipsters can win prizes and Balls merchandise

Processing your request...

You are now subscribed!

Share this article

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Developed by Square1 and powered by PublisherPlus.com

Advertisement