Following a 23-15 victory for Leinster against Leicester Tigers in the Investec Champions Cup, here’s our five takeaways from the Mattioli Woods Welford Road clash.
The top line
It was a come-from-behind success for the Irish province as they fought back from 15-6 down at the break to run out winners, thus securing successive wins to start the pool.
Leinster only had two Harry Byrne penalties on the scoreboard in the opening 40 minutes but second-half tries from Jamison Gibson-Park and Dan Sheehan sealed the win.
For Leicester Tigers they can be proud of their efforts but despite their resolve and tries from Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassell-Collins, they took no points from this defeat.
Leinster are now top of the pile in Pool 2 going into the break while for Leicester they’re in bottom spot with their Investec Champions Cup qualification hopes in jeopardy.
Leinster’s bench turn the game
While the official Player of the Match was second-row Joe McCarthy due to his efforts up front – his brother Paddy was busy too – it was the bench impact that won the game.
The likes of Sheehan, Rabah Slimani and later Sam Prendergast increased the ante in terms of impetus as the Leicester intensity dipped just enough to allow Leinster back in.
Prior to that it had been a solid outing from Tigers prop Nicky Smith against Thomas Clarkson but Slimani quickly got the upper hand while Sheehan got his customary score.
Leo Cullen’s blockbuster bench was always going to play a vital part when studying the line-ups pre-match and this one certainly played out as expected in the second period.
Radwan sends England message
It was a moment of magic that warmed the Welford Road faithful while rocking Leinster as Radwan capitalised on loose Leinster ball in his own 22 and hacked it downfield, thrice sending it in a straight line and expertly grounding with a metre or two to spare in the in-goal area. This was a skill that cannot be understated from the flying wing.
Of course when any player produces moments of quality there are international conversations and Radwan has certainly sent a message to Steve Borthwick with that effort.
Lowe the pantomime villain
The Leinster and Ireland veteran is often in the thick of it with rival fans and opposition players and tonight was no different as he took on the role of pantomime villain.
‘Tis the season and all that but Lowe was front and centre of jeers and pushing and shoving with Tigers aplenty and didn’t endear himself to the home supporters, which perhaps is not wise in hostile atmospheres such as this. Tigers fed off it and Hassell-Collins’ try on 39 minutes after Lowe’s mistake meant it was a half to forget for the wing.
To Lowe’s credit, he did discover his groove in the second half and was his usual handful of a self in possession, playing with a smile on his face after previously being frosty.
Conan concern after early exit
There was less than two minutes on the game clock when the Leinster and Ireland number eight had his evening cut short after he copped a thunderous shoulder to his head.
Freddie Steward avoided any punishment as he was as low as possible and Conan had slipped, but the impact, first from that hit to the front of the head and second when the back of his head hit the turf, was difficult to watch. It made spectators wince and it seemed inevitable that Conan would be sent to and fail a Head Injury Assessment.
However, staggeringly he did not depart and would pack down for a scrum before eventually he was withdrawn a minute later. He was later pictured on the bench watching on and one hopes he recuperates well and Leinster takes all of the necessary steps in his recovery as it was a scary sight watching and hearing that back-to-back impact.
READ MORE: Leicester Tigers v Leinster: Result, scorers, match stats and more