ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Clinical Leinster power to semi-finals after beating Saracens

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Monday Apr 2, 2018

Leinster out-muscled defending champions Saracens 30-19 in an enduring clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at the weekend to move into the European Champions Cup semi-finals.

It was a game worthy of Test match status in which two of the biggest names in European rugby fought tooth and nail to secure a place in the last four. But it was the home side Leinster who ultimately came out on top in a proper arm wrestle.

Tries from Garry Ringrose and man-of-the-match Dan Leavy either side of the half-time break plus the boot of Jonathan Sexton helped the hosts hold a narrow lead.

Saracens fought admirably but found themselves overwhelmed at the start of the second half when Leavy touched down.

After that, the title holders were put to the sword by the three-time champions who eventually settled the match when winger James Lowe scored after 58 minutes.

Lowe was impressive all day long and his break down the blind-side wing in the third minute of the game enabled Isa Nacewa – playing at 12 – to feed Ringrose to touch down for the early try.

Saracens did score their only try in the second half courtesy of Blair Cowan – on loan from London Irish – but it was not enough to challenge Leo Cullen’s men, who will face the Scarlets in the last four.

Champions Cup Semi-final fixtures (weekend of 20/21/22 April)

Leinster v Scarlets – Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Racing 92 v Muster – Stade Chaban-Dalmas, Bordeaux

Match Highlights

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 112 WEEKS AGO

    Breaking down the greatest year of international...

  • 293 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 297 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    The Gallagher Premiership is back - A thrilling match at Tottenham

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 25 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 25 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 32 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 35 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 27 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 130 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 130 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 153 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All