Leinster down the Bears

A power-packed second period enabled Leinster to secure a bonus-point win in Pool 2 of the Investec Champions Cup at Ashton Gate on Sunday afternoon.

Sam Prendergast (2), Jordan Larmour, Jordi Barrett and Josh van der Flier picked off the tries that moved Leinster alongside Clermont-Auvergne, next Saturday’s opponents at The Aviva Stadium (KO5.30).

Bristol looked to make a lightning start, moving the ball into the wider channels where Leinster’s  three-quarters slammed the door.

When Jamison Gibson-Park whipped the ball left to Max Deegan, Santiago Grondona was on hand to clamp down for a penalty.

The pressure Leinster applied through the blitz produced a second ball-to-floor pass and a scrum inside the 22 as AJ McGinty was withdrawn with an injury.

A loose kick by Robbie Henshaw was trumped by Richard Lane’s 50-22 for a lineout which James Ryan swiped against the throw.

The Leinster scrum conceded a penalty. Bristol opted for the lineout and maul which Joe McCarthy and James Ryan turned into a scrum by holding up Fitz Harding.

The execution of Grondona at the breakdown was matched by Jack Conan’s counter-ruck.

Jack Bates stopped a well-worked manoeuvre to the front of the lineout between Ronan Kelleher and van der Flier.

Uncharacteristic indiscipline by Gibson-Park let Bristol off the hook. A crooked throw by Harry Thacker was followed by Rabah Slimani giving up a scrum penalty as both sides struggled for rhythm.

The mistakes kept on coming. Gibson-Park had his pocket picked at the base of a scrum. Prendergast kicked the ball out on the full.

A penalty at the maul allowed Benhard Janse van Rensburg to go for the lineout and the maul where hooker Kelleher was binned.

Then, Deegan was yellow-carded for tripping Harding, reducing Leinster to 13 men in the 29th minute.

Bears showed their teeth at the tail of a lineout, prop Max Lahiff driving over for the try, converted by Van Rensburg in the 32nd minute.

Leinster showed champion spirit in streaming onto the restart, Larmour snatching possession, van der Flier carrying corrosively and Gibson-Park milking a penalty.

It gave Prendergast the licence to try something different, chipping delicately to test out full-back Lane.

The ball popped loose for a grateful Larmour to grab his opportunity and for Prendergast’s conversion to make it 7-all.

The energy of van der Flier was infectious. The Leinster midfield rush forced a scrum. Garry Ringrose was working overtime and Kelleher returned as the first half closed.

All-Black Barrett emerged from the half-time dressing room for his much-anticipated debut.

However, second-row McCarthy was lucky to escape a yellow card for a leg out on Harry Randall.

There were more encouraging signs of cohesion in how Leinster moved the ball to space for Ringrose and Larmour to have a go.

The introduction of Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, RG Snyman and Caelan Doris came as early as the 44th minute.

When referee Pierre Brousset lost his patience for resetting scrums, props Lahiff and Porter were binned.

One solid scrum was the platform for Barrett to pull a pass back to Prendergast, who ghosted through a hole and dummied inside Lane for the try which the out-half converted for 14-7 in the 53rd minute.

Larmour’s work in contact to force a scrum and the penalty that came from it was used effectively.

The lineout take by Snyman was clean. The maul moved. Gibson-Park sniped and Barrett cut back for the try, converted by Prendergast in the 57th minute.

The game had changed. Porter’s offload on Leinster’s 22 was taken in stride by Snyman. Prendergast appeared in support to secure his second try for the bonus-point and fourth conversion in the 59th minute.

They had finally found their flow, Snyman orchestrating play, Gibson-Park stealing metres and van der Flier slamming down the fifth try, converted by Prendergast.

The ability of Leinster to stand firm in defence through multiple phases made life difficult for the English club.

But, when Kieran Marmion stabbed a kick through on the floor, Gabriel Ibitoye was onto the ball in a flash for a fine finish for 35-12 in the 73rd minute.

Man of the Match Van der Flier’s offload put Luke McGrath away. Ross Byrne and Prendergast shared the responsibility for distribution.

There was still time for Leinsters’ passing to create a chance for Ringrose and for Brousset to rule out Doris’s cheeky try.

Scorers.

Bristol: M Lahiff, G Ibitoye try each; BJ van Rensburg con.

Leinster: S Prendergast 2 tries, 5 cons; J Larmour, J Barrett, J van der Flier try each.