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Rampant Leinster book home semi-final

Leinster star Ross Byrne

Defending champions Leinster secured a home semi-final in the Pro14 with a comfortable 19-7 defeat of the Cheetahs.

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The Irish side moved a massive 26 points clear at the top of Conference B in Friday’s only match at the RDS Arena, ensuring they will have home advantage in the play-offs.

Ox Nche was shown a yellow card in the 10th minute and Leinster immediately capitalised, with Conor O’Brien bursting through to break the deadlock.

But five minutes later, the visitors were level. Rabz Maxwane hared after a kick downfield and finished, with Tian Schoeman cancelling out Ross Byrne’s successful conversion.

The flurry of scores kept coming, though, and Adam Byrne marked his 50th Leinster appearance by touching down in the right corner to give the hosts a half-time lead.

And Cheetahs did not trouble the scoreline again, as Rory O’Loughlin stretched the hosts’ advantage and then Ross Byrne’s second accurate kick set up a cruise to the finish line.

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J
JW 58 minutes ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

The opening loss to Argentina by 38-30..

Was anything but fine margins, the scoreline was flattering for that game. They were beat in every margin but most emphatically be effort of Argentina. They were slow and likely arrogant in their prep following the England series. You can see the effect on the selection and poor messaging all the playmakers started receiving from the coaching setup there after.


Otherwise though there was also a lot of really good stuff that can too easily be labelled as lucky by people intent on making a point. The team was far from certain and clinical though and the best that can be said of their losses was that they were largely due to some atrocious decisions with cards twice against SA and the neckroll last weekend (you can't take away the 14 point try, that is typical French rugby and to be expected).


This team is good enough to be able to cope with those sorts of difficulties if they could just execute a bit better (but only as well as they have traditionally mind you). Sound selections aside. Some good positivity in this article but we know it's not going to be easy as the ABs have just been trying to return to their DNA after Fosters control but countries like Aussie have a much bigger task in that respect and SA is even trying to change their DNA (again). Those two opponents (along with France obviously) are going to provide some tough competition in seeing who can lead into the 2027 RWC with the best prospects and form behind them.

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