Leinster Return to Winning Form Against Scarlets
Joshua Kenny made his Leinster debut against Sharks in October.
Tries: Ringrose, Kenny 2, T O'Brien 2, Deegan Cons: Byrne 3
Tries: J Roberts, Rogers, Douglas Cons: Hawkins 2
Leinster secured a vital victory in the United Rugby Championship (URC) by defeating a determined Scarlets side at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Following consecutive defeats to Cardiff and Glasgow, the reigning champions avoided a third successive loss by scoring six tries in the match.
Leinster overcame an early try from Joe Roberts to lead 12-7 at halftime, with tries from Garry Ringrose and Joshua Kenny.
Tommy O'Brien's rapid double after the interval earned Leinster the four-try bonus point, with additional tries from Max Deegan and Kenny further extending their lead.
Scarlets remained competitive throughout, narrowly missing out on a consolation bonus point after tries by Tom Rogers and Max Douglas.
Additional Rugby News
- WRU chair Collier-Keywood to leave role
- Faletau injured in Cardiff's defeat by Sharks
- Rees-Zammit feeling 'more comfortable' at full-back
Leinster climbed to third place in the URC standings ahead of Ulster's upcoming match against bottom club Zebre. Scarlets remain 14th, just one point and position above the Dragons.
Leo Cullen's team were not at their best in a fragmented game but will approach their Champions Cup last 16 home tie against Edinburgh on a positive note.
Match Summary
The visitors opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Joe Roberts capitalized on a grubber kick from midfield partner Johnny Williams.
Lock Brian Deeny received a yellow card for a line-out infringement in the lead-up, and Scarlets were subsequently reduced to 13 men after Roberts and flanker Jarrod Taylor were both sin-binned.
Back to full strength, Leinster leveled the score in the 22nd minute through Ringrose and then took the lead against 14 men with a try from wing Kenny.
Tommy O'Brien scored two tries shortly after the restart, first finishing on the left wing after a pass from Jamison Gibson-Park, then on the opposite side following a stolen line-out.
Scarlets, with strong-running number eight Fletcher Anderson impressing again, were rewarded for sustained pressure when Rogers scored from a pass by Blair Murray.
Max Deegan was awarded a try after a TMO review confirmed he had crossed the line from close range, and Scarlets lock Max Douglas finished off a move following a break by Archie Hughes.
Kenny secured his second try with an acrobatic finish, while man of the match O'Brien prevented Scarlets from earning a bonus point with a crucial covering tackle on centre Williams.
Team Lineups
Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Ringrose, Osborne, Kenny; Byrne, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Deeny, Deegan, van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Cahir, Slimani, O'Tighearnaigh, Soroka, Gunne, Prendergast, Henshaw.
Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, J Roberts, Williams, Mee; Hawkins, Blacker; Mathias, Harry Thomas, Henry Thomas, Lousi, Douglas, Taylor, Davis, Anderson (capt).
Replacements: G Roberts, S O'Connor, H O'Connor, Ball, T Davies, A Hughes, I Jones, Page.
Yellow cards: J Roberts 22, Taylor 27.
Match Officials
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistants: Peter Martin & Chris Lough (Ireland)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
