Leinster 41

Connacht 12

JOHN FALLON  AT THE RDS

THE margin of victory may have flattered Leinster in the end but their superiority over Connacht at the RDS on Sunday could not be disguised either as Leo Cullen’s men triumphed by seven tries to two to maintain their perfect start to the season.

A depleted Connacht side, who had skipper Jack Carty binned in the second-half and who finished with 14 men when former captain Jarrad Butler had to go off with a finger injury when they had used all their replacements, did well for periods but the outcome was never really in any doubt.

“It’s hard enough to play Leinster without being down to 14 for almost 20 minutes,” said Friend. “It’s disappointing, we felt empty afterwards going home with nothing. At the same time there is a lot of positivity. Our bravery was again outstanding, we can’t ask for much more from the players and I honestly feel, and I know we are over half way through the competition, that we are close to clicking.

“And, as disappointing as that loss is, and the scoreline is not reflective of the game, we will take the positives out of the game and move on.”

Leinster didn’t have it all their own way against a gutsy understrength Connacht side, but the league leaders showed their class when it was required and had the bonus point in the bag by the 45th minute before turning the screw in the closing stages.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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