Leinster got off to a solid, but slightly shaky, start in the Heineken Cup last week. They went to Edinburgh and collected a bonus point having scored four tries. It was an error filled game - neither team looked great. But for Leinster it was the end of a very bad run against Edinburgh in the Heineken. The performances last year were especially disappointing.
The match against Wasps was the first real test. Wasps, the reigning English champions, have had a pretty unlucky start in the Premiership. Still, they won the Heineken 2 years ago and take this competition serious. Managed by the next Lions coach Ian McGeechan, they are captained by the wily frenchman Raphael Ibanez. Who could forget his 2 cheeky, front of the line-out, tries last year. At outhalf the rising English star Danny Cipriani. Eoin Reddan at scrum-half would love to beat Leinster - not least because he is from Munster! The other English internationals Sackey, Voyce, Payne, Worsley, Haskell, Vickery are also in the starting line up. Their new signing, Serge Betsen is on the bench and expected to make an appearance. On paper it looks like a great contest.
There was a full house at the RDS. Senan was stuck on a bus from town and as a result we missed the first 8 minutes. By the time we were in our seats Leinster were already 7-0 up with a try from Brian O'Driscoll. Good start. We arrived to see Leinster concede a penalty which Cipriani didn't miss - 7-3 . We didn't have to wait very long - just another five minutes - before Drico obliged again. He chip a ball over Reddan, beat him in the chase. Then he did something magic with his foot to flick it up in mid air out of full-back, Staunton's grasp in the process and then fended off the tackle from Voyce to go over in the corner for a second try. His best game for Leinster in 2 years - and only 12 minutes gone! Contepomi missed the conversion - 12-3 .
Cipriani and Contepomi traded penalties before Wasps scored a contraversional try. Cipriani made a run and passed to Staunton who went over. However there was clear obstruction on the Leinster defender - ref Nigel Owens wasn't having any of it - he awarded the try. However the replay on the big screen was pretty clear - Owens appeared to apologise - but too late. Cipriaini was jeered loudly during the conversion and then cheered as it went just wide. Half time soon followed - 15-11 .
Although Wasps tried hard in the second half - they didn't score again in the match. Brian O'Driscoll was replaced by Joni Sexton at half-time. We were only 2 minutes into the second half when Sexton put Luke Fitzgerald over for Leinster's third try, Contepomi converted - 22-11 . The bonus pint (4 tries) was in sight and Wasps were moving out of sight. We had to wait a little while for the fourth try - but when it came it was a good one. It was a case of Ten on Ten - Danny Cipriani tried to take a clearing kick out of his own 22, but it was blocked down by Contepomi , who collected the ball and wen over for a try, which of course he converted - 29-11 , job done, bonus point! Seven minutes later Rocky Elstrom goes over for a fifth try. - 36-11 .
Serge Betsen for Wasps against Leinster, Uploaded by M+MD.
Leinster are now rampant and try as they will Wasps have no real answer.
About five minutes later Jackman pops a pass to Malcolm O'Kelly on the half way line and he runs clear in the centre of the field, he makes it well inside the 22 before he is caught by Cipriani, O'Kelly slides forward in the tackle to the 5 metre line. In the ruck that follows, Horgan clears it to Whitaker, who passes it quickly to Kearney. Kearney just strolls over for the sixth and final try, - 41-11. This is Wasps worst defeat since 2002, now that is some achievement.
Haskell tackles Heaslip, Uploaded by M+MD.
