Leinster fightback floors Clermont

Leinster fightback floors Clermont

29 Apr 2012

Leinster beat Clermont 19-15 on Sunday to book their place in the European Cup final.

The result ensures that the decider at Twickenham on 19 May will be an all-Irish affair. Leinster will battle the winners of the first semi-final Ulster, who edged Edinburgh in Saturday’s play-off.

On Sunday, Clermont led Leinster 12-6 at half-time thanks to the goal-kicking of Brock James. But the momentum shifted in Leinster’s favour when prop Cian Healy dotted down at the start of the second stanza.

Rob Kearney added a drop goal moments later to further edge the Irishmen ahead. James booted a penalty in the 52nd minute to narrow the deficit, but Leinster kept on coming, and their ability to control both possession and territory eventually resulted in yet another penalty goal for Jonny Sexton.

It was a score that took Leinster out to an important 19-15 lead. Clermont needed a try to win, and with two minutes remaining, they so nearly snatched the five pointer that would have propelled them into the final.

The hosts controlled the ball beautifully through the phases, hammering away at the Leinster defence. Clermont No 12 Wesley Fofana looked to have wrestled his way over the tryline, but the television review revealed a knock on that would break French hearts.

Clermont managed to win a penalty from the subsequent scrum, ensuring one final crack at victory. Unfortunately for the hosts, the Leinster defence was equal to that final challenge, winning a breakdown penalty that brought the game to a close.


11 Comments

  • 1.Werras: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 18:11 pm

    Wow and here I thought all the rules in rugby are the same all over the world……. Bad luck Claremont!

  • 2.Werras: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 18:12 pm

    Clermont

  • 3.gecko: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 18:42 pm

    Considering the 1st half, I was wondering if ref Wayne Barnes was being paid in crates of Guinness or in Irish whiskey.

  • 4.iveski: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 19:38 pm

    Good game very enjoyable – but strauss was throwing broken spears there , dont think he’ll start the final .

  • 5.seamus: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 20:29 pm

    Wayne Barnes is the worst ref in the professional game. Period.

  • 6.Werras: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 21:46 pm

    @seamus(seamus)-5: No he is not, there is a guy called Stuart COCKenson which is the worse!!

  • 7.Werras: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 21:50 pm

    @seamus(seamus)-5: But yes Barnes was piss poor, that last steel of the num 6 was actually frightening as he did not carry his own body weight.

  • 8.Werras: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 21:51 pm

    @Werras(Werras)-6: worst!!!

  • 9.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 21:53 pm

    and Bryce Lawrence
    and Joker
    And Jackson

  • 10.Werras: Reply to this comment
    29 Apr 2012, 22:41 pm

    @CoachPete(CoachPete)-9: Coach, Bryce is not even worth to mention…….!!

  • 11.HongKongSlong: Reply to this comment
    30 Apr 2012, 04:28 am

    Wayne-ker Barnes is the Northern Hemisphere’s answer to Bryce Lawrence.

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