Peter Burke
After the flames went out and the pre match pitch entertainment finished the PA boomed with the announcement of Bath and Leinster rugby onto the pitch where a win for Leinster would all but secure a home quarter final.
This was a game where Leinster forgot they were playing in for the first 20 minutes as Bath stormed out of the blocks leaving the hosts stunned to find themselves 14 nil down.
Bath were finding space on the wing and after 2 mins Ted Hill set up Alfie Barbeary for a try in the left corner with Finn Russell adding the extra 2. Soon after it was Finn Russell again who provided the link with Ben Spencer to send Tom de Glanville over for his first try, Russell again stepped up to provide the 2 points. That had Bath 14 nil up and leaving Leinster somewhat shell shocked.
However Robbie Henshaw and Leinster had other plans. Hugo Keenans deft pass to Henshaw saw him in space and he scored from 10 yards out, straight off the training park move. Jordie Barrett wanted in on the action and he provided the assist that led to Henshaws second, Bath’s lead cut to 14-12. Things were turning and it was Obenos yellow card that started the shift in momemtum. Jack Conan took full use of the man advantage to barrell over from close range.
However, Bath struck back before halftime with a brilliant move from Russell, setting up de Glanville for his second try and with the conversion good Bath went in at halftime ahead on 21-19.
The second half was a different game altogether, although the scoreline would suggest differently, Bath were stubborn and it was ultimately the red card that was the final jenga brick to collapse them. Leinsters class and dominance shone. Slimani was pivotal in the scrums winning scrum penalties at will it seemed and at crucial moments in the game. One frustration was some of the handling errors and a couple of times it was the last pass to end an attack when a try seemed likely, Henshaw and Josh Van De Flier guilty but it takes nothing off the shine of both their performances. Leinster’s bench proved a massive difference, something we are used to at this stage, with Caelan Doris and RG Snyman getting game time they proved decisive in the second half. We had the Snyman one handed line out take and we even had a cameo of Ringrose in the lineout, thought I was seeing things. To make matters worse, for a tired looking Bath team, a collapsed scrum led to a second yellow for prop Obano so he was shown a red so Bath played the last 20 minutes with 14men. Snyman scored twice, while Garry Ringrose and Jamison Gibson-Park added tries to complete the win.
This bonus point win means Leinster finish the pool stages on 18 points, but Toulon play Sale tomorrow and Toulon (gets out calculater) could finish top as the second highest seeds If Leinster do manage top seeding no doubt Croke Park will be the preferred venue and sure why wouldn’t it be.