Leinster smash Scarlets, Thomas brilliance leaves too much for Munster to do
The semi-finals of the Champions Cup may have had no English participation, but it didn’t lack for interest for the neutral as Leinster kicked off proceedings with a hammering of the hopeful Scarlets. The Welsh region, masters of entertainment, were never able to get their game going as Leinster dominated from the start.
The Dubliners had built up an unassailable 24-9 lead by half-time, with three Leigh Halfpenny penalties nowhere near enough to match the tries from Cian Healy, Fergus McFadden and James Ryan. Their large contingent from the national side were in ruthless mode, with Johnny Sexton to the fore as he scored a second half try and kicked 13 points. Scarlets grabbed a late consolation through Tadgh Beirne, but the game was gone and finished 38-16.
The Irish side have to go into the final as favourites, but will have their work cut out against a Racing side that looked exceptionally strong against Munster. The 27-22 score didn’t reflect the dominance the French side had for the majority of a game in which they showed some class ball in hand and a ferocity in defence.
They ran away with the game within the first 26 minutes when they scored 24 points to a solitary penalty from Munster. Teddy Thomas was on fire, scoring a brace and gifting what would have been a hat-trick score to Maxime Machenaud. The Parisians were devastating, starving Munster of any rhythm with physical tackling and cutting them apart in attack. The Irish weren’t helped by their lack of cohesion in the 10-12-13 channel in particular.
In the second half, Racing played a different game, taking the pace out of it. Simon Zebo’s impact was the biggest difference as he scored a try and looked threatening from the bench. Two tries in the last five minutes gave the board a more respectable lot, but they will not be happy bowing out in the semis yet again.
Gloucester make third final in four years
In the weekend’s only game with English relevance, the Cherry and Whites saw off Newcastle in the Challenge Cup. It was a surprisingly emphatic 33-12 score-line as the hosts ran riot with four tries to a Scott Lawson brace for Newcastle.
They go into the final as marginal favourites, where they will meet Cardiff Blues. The Welsh region beat Pau 16-10 in the other semi-final.
What happened elsewhere?
In a turbulent week for the club after the Paddy Jackson/Stuart Olding situation, Ulster kept their hopes of play-off Pro14 rugby alive with a 36-15 victory over table-topping Glasgow. Meanwhile, Zebre ensured their best ever season by beating Ospreys 37-14.
The notable results in Super Rugby consisted of a Jaguares win In Canberra against Brumbies, Waratahs losing at home to Lions and Highlanders and Charks winning their respective derbies.
American Major League Rugby began its debut season this weekend. In the opening game, Houston SaberCats lost out to New Orleans. Let’s hope this is the start of an exponential growth in the game across the Atlantic.
Horrific news was announced just before the weekend when Rob Horne announced his retirement following the injury he sustained just last week. The thoughts of the rugby world are with him.
Hero of the week
It must go to Johnny Sexton this week for his 18-point haul and absolute control of the game against Scarlets. The whole Leinster team are in great nick, but with their talisman swaggering like this, it would take a fool to bet against them equalling Toulouse’s tally of four titles. Teddy Thomas deserves a mention as well for his rampant finishing ability.
Villain of the week
It is a rare occurrence, but this week a player tested positive for a banned substance. Ashley Johnson of Wasps will await the consequences, but a lengthy ban should be handed down, pending the full details.
Try of the week
A beautiful sidestep by Virimi Vakatawa that took out most of the Munster defence allowed him to break free, draw the cover and give to Teddy Thomas for the flyer’s second try of the game.
Discussion points
Will Leinster equal Toulouse’s record or will Dan Carter add to his trophy collection?
Where should the final go next time it is played in a new European nation?
Can Gloucester rescue some English pride in Europe this season?
What are your thoughts on Major League Rugby and its potential for growing the game?
What would be an appropriate outcome for Ashley Johnson?
by Joe Large
Joe, I think you meant Rob Horne is the retired player, not Peter Horne.
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“it would take a fool to bet against them equalling Toulouse’s tally of four titles.”
Than how big a fool does that make you for saying you would have been “inclined to go with Scarlets” if this game was truly at a neutral ground meaning you would have bet against Leinster even getting to the final?
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Cathal, you misread that line in the predictions article. It said ‘more inclined’ with more as the key word, and no reference to the starting point of that inclination.
I would probably still have picked Leinster if the game were played in Llanelli.
Hope that clears up your concerns.
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