Following Cardiff\u2019s 8-7 win over Leinster at the Cardiff Arms Park, here are our five key takeaways from the United Rugby Championship (URC) round 12 clash.<\/p>\n
The top line<\/p>\n
Cardiff<\/a> put themselves back in the URC title picture with a gutsy win over Leinster.<\/p>\n The Welsh side, who sat sixth in the table ahead of the match, were the better of the two teams for the majority of the game, getting the better of the conditions early on. Despite their dominance, only a Callum Sheedy penalty on 19 minutes made a dent in the scoreboard across the first-half, but Cardiff took a deserved lead into half-time.<\/p>\n That 3-0 lead became 8-0 just before the hour-mark, too, with Aled Davies finishing off a superb breakaway. Sheedy\u2019s conversion was unsuccessful.<\/p>\n Missing points on a night like this was always going to feel big, and it nearly came back to haunt the hosts after Luke McGrath added his name to the scoresheet after 68 minutes, with the Perpignan-bound back finishing off a strong breakaway effort from Andrew Osborne. Charlie Tector\u2019s conversion split the uprights, making it 8-7 heading into the final 10 minutes.<\/p>\n But, Cardiff again gained the ascendancy in those closing exchanges, and while no further points came on the scoreboard, they held on to claim a strong win over the reigning champions.<\/p>\n Playing the conditions<\/p>\n We might be nearing spring, but this was very much mid-winter conditions in Cardiff, and it was always going to come down to which side managed them best.<\/p>\n The trends did become clear pretty early on. Cardiff turned to more old-school winter rugby, playing tight around the rucks and kicking for corners when the chance presented itself, while Leinster turned to their set-piece dominance to get their own foothold in the game.<\/p>\n Opinion: England\u2019s \u2018selection policy\u2019 is potentially unlawful, cartel-esque and killing English rugby<\/a><\/p>\n But, there could be an argument that neither side fully got to grips with them in the opening exchanges. There were a combined 11 handling errors in the opening 20 minutes alone, and a total of 30 come the full-time whistle, which eventually cost both sides points. Despite the teams threatening the line, only three points were scored in the first-half and only 12 followed after the break too.<\/p>\n If this match was played in better conditions, it could have been oh so different, but this was a game even the purists might have found hard to watch.<\/p>\n Serious title contenders?<\/p>\n While this was far from pretty, it was a win that cements Cardiff\u2019s status as possible title contenders, with the Welsh region up to third in the table as a result.<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n It\u2019s just been a really solid season for the Capital side, which is only further emphasised by the ongoing Civil War in Welsh rugby. Bonus-points have been hard to come by this season, but their record of eight wins from 12 games already sees them best last seasons total, and they can start to dream of a play-off run as a result.<\/p>\n But, that doesn\u2019t feel like the ceiling for this side. Yes, Leinster were without a number of key men, but they were good value for the win tonight, and have been good value for their other seven wins as well.<\/p>\n There\u2019s just a lot to like about the way they play. They box very cleverly up front, both in the scrum and around the loose, but back that up with a lick of flair as well. They also have some key men in pretty good form, with Sheedy, Cameron Winnett, Mason Grady all stepping up and delivering, while Josh McNally and Dan Thomas continue to add class to their efforts in the tight.<\/p>\n Are they dark horses?<\/p>\n Rieko Ioane debate<\/p>\n This will continue to linger, but should Rieko Ioane move back to the wing?<\/p>\n Leinster<\/a> got some serious change in the wide channels tonight, but were unable to make the most of their breaks as Cardiff\u2019s scramble defence caught up with them. You have to think Ioane would have done some damage there.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t a criticism of his work in midfield, if anything this was one of his stronger outings for Leinster at 13 as he made things happen in trying conditions and notched 34 metres from nine carries, but just imagine the sort of effect he could have out wide.<\/p>\n Ioane\u2019s threat has always come from his speed and finishing ability. It\u2019s why he usurped Julian Savea into the 11 shirt back in 2017. It\u2019s why he became a huge threat for the All Blacks in the nine years since. It\u2019s why he\u2019s considered one of the most exciting talents in the game.<\/p>\n But, keeping him at centre just doesn\u2019t allow him to use that to its fullest. Yes, it\u2019s something he wants to do, and he is a top-quality midfielder, but you just want to see him explode away from defenders ball-in-hand and gallop in space.<\/p>\n