Match Report: Leinster secure qualification with Gloucester romp

The Irish province notched seven tries in the contest, Jordan Lamour, Michael Ala’Alatoa, Jamie Osborne, Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan, Josh van der Flier and Rónan Kelleher all crossing the whitewash for the four-time champions as they booked their place in the Round of 16.

Gloucester did get on the scoreboard through a pair of penalty tries awarded midway through each half, but failed to maintain much of a threat against a strong Leinster outfit.

1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Club@RonanOGara10
John Hayes@stringer9@Gordonwdarcy@ProperChurch

A great moment for Cian Healy as he becomes the 5th player to reach 💯 #HeinekenChampionsCup appearances.

Congratulations to the @leinsterrugby legend 👏 pic.twitter.com/mhqsf1EL0s

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 14, 2023

Lamour opened the scoring for Leinster within four minutes. A well worked lineout out got the ball in the hands of Doris who timed his offload to perfection as Lamour scampered through to dot down.

Leinster added a second six minutes later. A simple tap and go was relayed to Ala’Alatoa under the posts – the forward crossing the whitewash untouched.

Gloucester did reply midway through the first half. The Cherry and Whites won their own lineout and produced a devastating rolling maul that was illegally brought down by the visiting Irish province – Andrew Porter earning a yellow card for foul play.

Despite being a man down, Leinster scored next through a delightful solo run by Osborne following a lineout on the right.

Then deep into added time in the first half, the visitors notched the bonus point, Doris powering over after another tap and go inside the hosts’ 22.

Leinster were soon over the whitewash once again early in the second period. A breakthrough run by James Ryan set up the move, Ross Byrne tipping a pass into the hands of Keenan who tiptoed down the sideline and across for a fifth try.

Gloucester were awarded their second penalty try of the contest midway through the second half, Doris illegally bringing down a rolling maul that was destined to cross the try line – earning the Leinster man 10 minutes in the sin bin.

But Leinster added their sixth try of the game in the final 10 minutes, van der Flier powering over from close range after a well worked lineout. A seventh followed when Kelleher crossed over from a rolling maul off the lineout, cementing the victory for the visitors.

Leinster will look to close out their Pool A campaign with four wins from four when they host Racing 92 next weekend, while Gloucester will be hoping to secure a Round of 16 berth in a must-win game against Union Bordeaux-Bègles.