Leinster respond brilliantly to 'Flag Gate' and social media loved it

Leinster rugby appeared to have a special plan in store to ‘troll’ Bath Rugby after last weekend’s match.

Reigning champions Leinster travelled to Bath last weekend after their 10-match unbeaten run was abruptly ended by Toulouse in Round 2.

Their supporters had deal with their flags being banned from the stadium on health and safety grounds.

The Official Leinster Supporters Club (OLSC) tweeted, “We brought 1500 flags over today’s game and Bath Rugby are refusing to let us distribute them. They are saying that the flags failed a health and safety test.”

.@leinsterrugby supporters: We brought 1500 flags over today’s game and @bathrugby are refusing to let us distribute them. They are saying that the flags failed a health and safety test. pic.twitter.com/wNxZxMfTey

— Leinster Supporters (@OLSCRugby) December 8, 2018

Bath Rugby responded, stating: “We’re really sorry – the flags were tested against three safety criteria & failed all three including fire. We have to take safety seriously, but we realise it’s disappointing. We’re really looking forward to the game & we know you’ll bring the noise to the Rec today.”

We’re really sorry – the flags were tested against three safety criteria & failed all three including fire. We have to take safety seriously, but we realise it’s disappointing. We’re really looking forward to the game & we know you’ll bring the noise to the Rec today. https://t.co/bR2keSpI4p

— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) December 8, 2018

The response to this on social media was unsurprisingly negative with people questioning why these flags were not suitable for use when Bath used the same company to provide their own flags.

This weekend was a different story however as Leinster had the opportunity to host Bath in the return leg of this match in Dublin. The match itself was all but a formality for Leinster as they routed the Somerset team by 42 points to 15. However, the real fun started for Leinster with their decision to only place flags on the TV side of the stadium.

#FlagGate development. Top work by Leinster #LEIvBAT pic.twitter.com/AP4RwjbtjH

— Tim Cocker (@cocker) December 15, 2018

In addition to this, at one stage during the game, a flag found it’s way onto the pitch and fans and social media users alike had lots to say about it…

One fan pointed out how dangerous it was for a flag to be on the pitch.

Real danger here at the Aviva as a Leinster flag has made its way onto the pitch. pic.twitter.com/8gn2jr9xbw

— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) December 15, 2018

Whilst other jokingly saw it as more of a protest than anything else…

Leinster Flag protesting on the pitch.#LEIvBAT pic.twitter.com/muw0xWQPZd

— Sam O'Byrne (@samobyrne) December 15, 2018

Everything in itself appeared to be tongue-in-cheek with not many people online taking the moves made by Leinster this weekend too seriously.

Leinster will not be playing in the Champions cup again until the 12th of January when they will face high-flyers Toulouse who have been touted by many as title contenders alongside Saracens and Leinster.