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Leinster duo Dan Sheehan and James Lowe hand Ireland Six Nations fitness boost
By PA
Dan Sheehan made a try-scoring return as Leinster claimed a 36-12 United Rugby Championship bonus-point win over the Stormers, joining team-mate James Lowe in providing Ireland with a Six Nations fitness boost.
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The URC leaders maintained their unbeaten form at the Aviva Stadium, aided by stand-in captain Sheehan’s seasonal debut and Lowe’s first appearance since October.
Ben Loader’s 20th-minute try meant the Stormers were only 15-7 behind at half-time, but Leinster cruised clear for their 10th-straight league victory.
Jordie Barrett notched his first URC score, while player-of-the-match Sheehan and Jamie Osborne completed their braces as Evan Roos scored a late consolation effort for the Stormers.
In front of an attendance of 18,892, Ross Byrne opened the scoring with a third-minute penalty. Barrett then provided the assist for Osborne to dive over, eight minutes later.
However, Byrne’s well-struck conversion proved to be Leinster’s last score until a late attack saw Sheehan surge over, just before the interval.
In between – after a couple of false starts – the 11th-placed Stormers landed a high-quality try off first-phase ball.
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Playing with a penalty advantage, they attacked at pace and winger Loader was the beneficiary of a good set-up involving Manie Libbok and Warrick Gelant. The Springbok fly-half also converted.
However, the visitors lost Libbok to injury just before Sheehan showed his pace to finish off neat combination work between Henry McErlean, Barrett and Lowe.
Despite Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba earning an important turnover penalty, they could not keep Leinster out.
Scott Penny slung a low pass away for a diving Barrett to strike in the 57th minute and Byrne’s conversion made it 22-7.
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Ahead of their flight to Portugal on Sunday to join Ireland’s training camp, a well-judged Lowe kick teed up Sheehan to go over on the left and, with the bonus point secured, Byrne converted again.
Lowe missed out on a breakaway try due a Max Deegan knock-on in a tackle, but Osborne intercepted a pass to rub salt into the Stormers’ wounds.
Lowe prevented Herschel Jantjies from running in what would have been a superb counter-attacking try, yet the visitors’ persistence paid off late on when Roos muscled over from a maul.
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