Leinster vs La Rochelle
Leinster’s James Lowe on his way to scoring a try despite Jack Nowell of Stade Rochelais
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Sean O’Donnell
Well Leinster got the job done at Croke Park as a darker shade of Blue dominated the Hill. An anxious squeaky bum finale that did no good at all to the cardiac health of the supporters. Northampton had their chances to snatch an unlikely victory that they would hardly have deserved .
But truth to tell Leinster should have been home, hosed and out on the town by then. We lead 15-3 at half time and 20-3 early in the second half thanks to a hat trick by James Lowe, surely the best finisher playing the game. But this is not enough to secure a match in this era. Northampton did not fire a shot in the first half but in the natural ebb and flow they were always going to have their moments and Leinster needed more of a cushion.
Leinster could have had many more tries in the first half and luck had a hand in this but if they are to take the ultimate step they will have to keep the foot on the gas. You let Toulouse or even Quinns back into the game at your peril.
Finally a personal reflection on the game as a wheelchair user attending. Vis a vis Lansdowne Road, Croke Park has some positive and negative points. Firstly it scores on pre match comfort with chairs and tables in the concourse area for our accompanying people who have to stand for long periods in Lansdowne Road. Provision of accessible bathroom facilities in both venues is good although prevention of use by non disabled people is still an issue.
But ultimately one goes to the game to see it and here Croke Park falls down. Unlike Lansdowne Road where the wheelchairs are at a raised level slightly above the general seating, in Croke Park, they are directly behind those seats . I missed the touchdowns of James Lowe’s 2 first half tries as people in front of me stood up. Repeated appeals from me and the existence of signs asking people to remain seated had limited effect. I suppose it is a natural reflex action if you are straining to see the far corner . It seems to be a fairly basic design flaw in an otherwise majestic stadium.
We were also under pressure after the match as we were told the lifts would be finishing. As we were driving this also meant a long wait in the car before we were allowed to exit.
However gripes apart it was a great day. A tight tense game with the right result.