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Leinster hit back to edge out Benetton Treviso

Dave Kearney (Getty)

A late rally from Leinster carried them to a narrow Guinness PRO14 victory over 14-man Benetton Treviso at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

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The Italians led 27-22 with 20 minutes left, helped by 12 points from debutant fly-half Ian Keatley, but Dave Kearney scored his third try and replacement Harry Byrne sent over a penalty to give the reigning champions a bonus point in a 32-27 victory.

Harry Byrne had come on for his older brother Ross in the 68th minute to make his debut.

Both teams, who have played several memorable matches in recent seasons, were severely depleted by World Cup call-ups.

It was the visitors who made the better start, with Ross Byrne slotting over an early penalty before converting a 14th-minute try from Adam Byrne.

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Treviso hit back strongly, though, with tries in quick succession from Derrick Appiah and Tomas Baravalle, both converted by Keatley.

But it was Leinster who led 17-14 at half-time thanks to a converted try from Kearney moments before the hooter.

Former Munster stalwart Keatley quickly drew the hosts back level with a penalty, but they were then reduced to 14 men in the 49th minute when Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara was shown a red card for taking out Kearney when he went for a high ball.

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Kearney immediately crossed for his second try, but another penalty from Keatley and a converted try scored by Luca Sperandio boosted hopes of a Treviso win, only for Leinster to turn things around once more.

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J
JW 33 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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