{"id":657694,"date":"2026-10-17T16:54:24","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T16:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/657694\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T16:54:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T16:54:24","slug":"champions-cup-live-leinster-beat-clermont-as-connacht-take-on-saracens-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/657694\/","title":{"rendered":"Champions Cup live: Leinster beat Clermont as Connacht take on Saracens \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Live: Connacht 7-12 Saracens<\/p>\n

Earlier today<\/p>\n

Clermont Auvergne 23-48 Leinster <\/p>\n

Zebre 21-40 Ulster<\/p>\n

18 mins: TMO time. Connacht are over after a strong drive off the back of the lineout. It\u2019s difficult to see who ultimately bustled over. <\/p>\n

Brousset wants a look with the TMO as he\u2019s not sure if the ball was grounded. <\/p>\n

TRY GIVEN<\/p>\n

Cian Prendergast was the man who got over after a short carry close to the line. Gilbert converts and Connacht are back in it. <\/p>\n

Connacht 7-12 Saracens <\/p>\n

17 mins: Oh Connacht thought they were under the stick there, Prendergast\u2019s offload not finding its way to Gilbert who, had he gathered, would have been in. In the end, it\u2019s good defending from Itoje to disrupt that pas. <\/p>\n

Connacht had an advantage so to the corner again they go. <\/p>\n

16 mins: Treacy is tackled into touch right on the 22. Fortunately for him, Connacht had an advantage as Saracens drifted offside. <\/p>\n

Frawley kicks down into the 22. <\/p>\n

TRY SARACENS – Noah Caluori<\/p>\n

13 mins: Connacht will feel hard-done-by there, but it\u2019s brilliant hands from Daly. The initial line speed off a lineout is good as Ryan smashes the ball loose in a collision with Tompkins. <\/p>\n

Daly, waiting for the bouncing ball to roll towards him, has both Frawley and the last defender swarming in, but that leaves Caluori alone out wide. Despite the double trouble, he swats the ball wide off the deck, brilliant handling really, to find the young speedster for a finish out wide. Did that last pass go forward? The officials say no. <\/p>\n

Farrell misses the wide conversion. <\/p>\n

Connacht 0-12 Saracens<\/p>\n

10 mins: Owen Farrell\u2019s kicking out of hand has been excellent so far. As has Saracens\u2019 chase, led largely by Noah Caluori. <\/p>\n

Connacht simply can\u2019t get out of their half at the moment, such is the territorial pressure from Saracens. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile Connacht have been forced into a HIA, Daniel Ryan coming off the bench to replace Shane Jennings on the wing. <\/p>\n

TRY SARACENS – Sione Va\u2019eneku<\/p>\n

7 mins: A lovely play off a tap penalty sees Saracens take the lead. Jamie George\u2019s soft hands are what open the gap in the end, allowing Tongan centre Va\u2019eneku to crash over from close range. <\/p>\n

Owen Farrell converts. <\/p>\n

Connacht 0-7 Saracens<\/p>\n

6 mins: Five minutes on the clock and referee Pierre Brousset is already having a word with Connacht captain Cian Prendergast. An offside penalty is what prompts this chat which looks to be a warning. <\/p>\n

4 mins: Two quick penalties, one off a lineout, another from van Wyk in a maul, have Connacht in trouble close to their own line. <\/p>\n

Saracens have a lineout 5m out against a Connacht side that has struggled against the maul so far this season. <\/p>\n

3 mins: Connacht look sharp with their first attack, Saracens missing their mark at lineout time. The ball is quickly spread wide to Treacy who links up with Reilly and then Gilbert as play sprints into the 22. <\/p>\n

Ultimately, it breaks down and Connacht cough up a penalty but that was an early sign of some genuine attacking threat. <\/p>\n

1 min: They\u2019re underway in Galway, Connacht fielding the kick-off and looking to clear their lines early doors. <\/p>\n

Connacht 0-0 Saracens<\/p>\n

\"Connacht'sConnacht’s Bundee Aki. Photograph: Brian Lawless\/PA <\/p>\n

Right then, time to turn attentions to Galway. Connacht welcome Saracens to the Dexcom Stadium. Here\u2019s how they line out. The biggest point of intrigue? It\u2019s hard to look past that Frawley-Aki-Forde midfield combo. <\/p>\n

But Connacht\u2019s weakness so far this season has not been the backline, but instead their scrum and maul. Let\u2019s see how they deal with Maro Itoje et al in that area. <\/p>\n

As for Leinster, while Clermont were poor, they showed enough today to suggest they are on an intriguing path with their attack. <\/p>\n

Sam Prendergast\u2019s counter-attack score, set up by his kick and Jimmy O\u2019Brien\u2019s chase, will be the score of the weekend. You wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see Bordeaux score that one, such was the counter-attacking quality. That is enough to say that Leinster are trying to become more unpredictable and they are having success with that ploy. <\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the scrum was dominant against a young Clermont tighthead, the lineout was secure and the defence was also solid. A workmanlike performance with flashes of brilliance. <\/p>\n

\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Dan Sheehan is tackled by ASM Clermont Auvergne’s Thibaud Lanen. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Meanwhile Ulster are looking at securing a Challenge Cup win of their own, they\u2019re up 33-21 over Zebre with five minutes to go. <\/p>\n

\"Ulster'sUlster’s Juarno Augustus comes up against Zebre Parma’s Francesco Ruffolo. Photograph: Giuseppe Fama\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Full-time: Clermont 23-48 Leinster<\/p>\n

Leinster are happy to catch a kick in the backfield, O\u2019Brien taking the ball and landing in touch. <\/p>\n

A bonus point win over what proved to be an average Clermont side. <\/p>\n

YELLOW CARD – Joe McCarthy <\/p>\n

81 mins: That feels a needless card to give away with the clock in the red. McCarthy plays the ball cynically at the side of the ruck, denying a break and prompting Carley to go to his pocket. <\/p>\n

Clermont have one last attack running at 14 men in a bid to salvage some pride. <\/p>\n

Fintan Gunne is back on at 9. I\u2019m not sure if that means Coffey has picked up an injury but we\u2019ll hear more at full-time I\u2019m sure. <\/p>\n

TRY TOMMY O\u2019BRIEN<\/p>\n

78 mins: Leinster finish with a flourish. Osborne, McCarthy and Penny – the latter giving the scoring pass – are all prominently involved as solid handling from Leinster opens up just enough space for their speedster in the corner. <\/p>\n

Carbery has a tough conversion and he\u2019s pushed it wide. <\/p>\n

Clermont 23-48 Leinster <\/p>\n

Sam Prendergast has just been named player of the match by the French broadcaster. Not the worst call, albeit an easy one given his try was sensational. <\/p>\n

Jimmy O\u2019Brien has been good, ditto Fintan Gunne on a tough European start for the young man. <\/p>\n

My vote goes to Dan Sheehan. <\/p>\n

\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Sam Prendergast. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

74 mins: Carbery\u2019s ears were burning. <\/p>\n

After that premature question on his whereabouts, he appears from the bench to replace Prendergast. Oliver Coffey is also on for Gunne. <\/p>\n

No sign of Joey Carbery yet. Surely they\u2019re tempted to give him 10 minutes at the death here?<\/p>\n

\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Joey Carbery during the warm up ahead of the match. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Andrew Porter\u2019s customary long day at the office is done. Alex Usanov is on for him. A very good day at the scrum for Porter against an inexperienced tighthead. <\/p>\n

Usanov\u2019s first involvement? To give away a scrum penalty. Welcome, young man. <\/p>\n

69 mins: Leinster had a penalty advantage but don\u2019t want it. Some incisive attacking play leads to an infringement before Jimmy O\u2019Brien grubbers into the 22. <\/p>\n

It rebounds off a Clermont shin and into touch 5m from the line. Leinster want that lineout, instead of the original penalty, and they get it. <\/p>\n

However, Kelleher\u2019s throw to Baird is crooked. Chance gone. <\/p>\n

Conan hurt himself in the act of scoring there and walks off clutching his hand. One to keep an eye on, given Leinster and Ireland are already without Caelan Doris for the foreseeable future. <\/p>\n

Scott Penny is on for him, while Conor O\u2019Tighearnaigh has replaced James Ryan. <\/p>\n

TRY JACK CONAN<\/p>\n

66 mins: That fightback didn\u2019t last long. <\/p>\n

Quite literally off the kick-off, Leinster score. Prendergast\u2019s restart is excellent, allowing Jimmy O\u2019Brien to get up and win the ball. <\/p>\n

One phase later, Conan runs through a shoddy tackle attempt from replacement hooker Narisia, powering his way under the posts. Prendergast converts. <\/p>\n

Clermont 23-43 Leinster<\/p>\n

\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Jack Conan is tackled by ASM Clermont Auvergne’s Barnabe Massa. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

TRY CLERMONT – BELAUBRE<\/p>\n

65 mins: Clermont\u2019s bench has an impact. Running a tight line off his scrumhalf Jauneau, Belaubre crashes through Gunne and over the line under the posts. A straightforward conversion narrows the gap to 13. <\/p>\n

Clermont 23-36 Leinster<\/p>\n

64 mins: Now Leinster infringe at a lineout, Carley calling them for hands on the floor while defending a lineout. <\/p>\n

5m out from the Leinster line, Clermont are going to tap here. <\/p>\n

Changes for Leinster after that score. Thomas Clarkson and Ronan Kelleher come in for Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan. <\/p>\n

\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Dan Sheehan is tackled by ASM Clermont Auvergne’s L\u00e9on Darricarrere. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

TRY DAN SHEEHAN<\/p>\n

61 mins: Leinster\u2019s wait for a maul try this season comes to an end, Sheehan diving over after the catch and drive rumbled towards the line. <\/p>\n

Sheehan looks to have hurt himself in the act of scoring and Leinster aren\u2019t happy with an apparent knee hitting his ribs as a defender tried to get across in desperation. The TMO has checked it, though, and is happy that it was inadvertent. <\/p>\n

Prendergast converts. <\/p>\n

Clermont 16-36 Leinster<\/p>\n

60 mins: Clermont concede another penalty inside their own 22, this one for not rolling away. <\/p>\n

Leinster earned the field position from a Prendergast spiral bomb that was spilled, allowing Ringrose and then Henshaw to break. <\/p>\n

Prendergast kicks the penalty into the corner. <\/p>\n

That was Henshaw\u2019s last act as Jamie Osborne is on now. <\/p>\n

PENALTY TRY – LEINSTER<\/p>\n

YELLOW CARD – ZAHOUANY<\/p>\n

57 mins: Wow. The yellow makes sense. Clermont were under warning and Zahouany, the teenage tighthead, has been obliterated at the scrum by Porter all afternoon. When he fell to a knee at that scrum, a penalty and card seemed certain. <\/p>\n

A penalty try, though? I\u2019m not convinced that Leinster drive was 100% destined for the line. Still, they\u2019ll take it. Crucially, having now scored four tries to Clermont\u2019s one, Leinster have a bonus point as things stand. The new rules dictate you must score three more tries than an opponent, rather than just hit four scores of your own. <\/p>\n

Clermont 16-29 Leinster <\/p>\n

55 mins: There\u2019s another penalty as Clermont infringe at the scrum. No card – yet. <\/p>\n

Leinster want another scrum. <\/p>\n

54 mins: Prendergast tries to pick out Henshaw with a cross-kick but it bounces just in front of the centre and into touch. However, there was an advantage for Noah playing the ball off his feet. <\/p>\n

Carley has a word of warning with Clermont – too many penalties. <\/p>\n

Leinster call for a scrum 5m from the line. <\/p>\n

53 mins: Leinster get another penalty as Clermont infringe at the lineout, tighthead Zahouany taking out McCarthy\u2019s lifter while he was still in the air. <\/p>\n

To the corner goes Prendergast. <\/p>\n

50 mins: Clermont\u2019s attack looks laboured, unable to create gaps. Their kick-chase, however, is excellent, continually winning possession back high up the pitch when putting boot to ball. <\/p>\n

A third kick in the sequence, from Plummer, bounces dead, giving Leinster a way out just as Clermont started looking dangerous. <\/p>\n

At the scrum, Leinster look to play away but an error means they go back for a penalty at the set-piece. Porter continues to have the upper hand on his opposite man. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile we should say that Ulster are 19-7 up on Zebre in the second half of their Challenge Cup clash. <\/p>\n

Hooker Henry Walker has a double while Jacob Stockdale also crossed. <\/p>\n

\"Ulster'sUlster’s Henry Walker scores his sides third try of the match. Photograph: Giuseppe Fama\/Inpho <\/p>\n

46 mins: More momentum for Leinster. <\/p>\n

First Ringrose charges down Plummer\u2019s attempted cross-field kick, then the two O\u2019Briens and van der Flier counter ruck and force Clermont to give away a penalty. However, Prendergast misses touch…<\/p>\n

TRY SAM PRENDERGAST <\/p>\n

42 mins: That is sensational. Light the beacons, Leinster have scored a counter-attack, transition score from deep inside their own half. <\/p>\n

Clermont should have scored, really, Jurrand breaking down the left but the work was undone by Swain\u2019s spill. Playing with turnover ball, Prendergast picks a gap, backs his speed to get out of the 22 before kicking downfield. <\/p>\n

With no one home for Clermont, Jimmy O\u2019Brien wins the race. He hacks through, waits for it to sit up inside the 22 before popping off to Prendergast on the inside for a score under the sticks. The outhalf converts his own, excellent try. <\/p>\n

Clermont 16-22 Leinster <\/p>\n

41 mins: We\u2019re back underway at the Stade Marcel Michelin. <\/p>\n

Sam Prendergast launches the ball down towards the Clermont 22 as Leinster look to overturn this one-point deficit. <\/p>\n

Clermont 16-15 Leinster <\/p>\n

Premier Sports aren\u2019t great at uploading the aul try clips now. But they have sorted us with this one of Furlong\u2019s opening score. What\u2019s rare is wonderful, as far as Leinster are concerned with Tadhg Furlong tries. <\/p>\n

Leinster will be reasonably satisfied, but not ecstatic with that half of action. Some of the variety in their attack, be it at strike plays, sniping close to the ruck or offloading, has been good. <\/p>\n

One defensive set aside when Clermont scored, they\u2019ve been good at limiting their hosts with ball in hand as well. However, a handful of offside penalties have gifted Plummer opportunities off the tee and he doesn\u2019t look like missing. <\/p>\n

Provided discipline tightens up and they are more efficient inside the 22, Leinster will be confident of turning this one around after the break. <\/p>\n

\" Leinster’s Sam Prendergast kicks a conversion. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Half-time: Clermont 16-15 Leinster<\/p>\n

Leinster win it back at the kick-off but a Clermont spill means they\u2019re under advantage. Having gone backwards, Carley says there\u2019s no advantage and calls the half to a close. <\/p>\n

39 mins: Leinster are caught offside and it\u2019s in kicking range for Plummer. He calls for the tee in a bid to retake the lead with the last play of the half. He\u2019s got it. <\/p>\n

But there are still 10 seconds on the clock so we will have a restart. <\/p>\n

Clermont 16-15 Leinster<\/p>\n

37 mins: Carley really isn\u2019t doing much to please Leinster here, not that that\u2019s his job. <\/p>\n

Van der Flier is clearly on the ball, to the point that it pops out of the ruck, but the referee says he was latched onto an arm at the ruck. So he doesn\u2019t reward him with a penalty. <\/p>\n

Then, at the next breakdown, van der Flier does get over the ball but Carley says he was on his knees. Clermont kick for the corner where Baird competes well at the lineout, winning the ball back. <\/p>\n

35 mins: Oh that\u2019s silly, stupid even. Carley told Clermont to stop competing for the ball with one of their own lying on the wrong side. That doesn\u2019t stop Swain from flying in and clattering into Conan, who was blindsided by the hit. <\/p>\n

Penalty awarded and Leinster call for the tee in a bid to retake the lead coming up to half-time. It\u2019s a straightforward kick inside the 22, Prendergast makes no mistake. <\/p>\n

Clermont 13-15 Leinster <\/p>\n

TRY JORIS JURAND<\/p>\n

33 mins: That scrum off the dead kick costs Leinster. <\/p>\n

One strong carry off the back of it gives momentum. From there, they hammer away at the line before going wide, drawing in the Leinster defence. <\/p>\n

Wing Jurand is the one who benefits in the corner. What\u2019s more, Plummer\u2019s conversion from the touchline is a beauty and Clermont now lead for the first time. <\/p>\n

Clermont 13-12 Leinster <\/p>\n

30 mins: Mistake from Prendergast. Looking for a big spiral bomb from inside his own 22, he catches it beautifully. Too well, in fact. <\/p>\n

Jauneau tried to gather but missed it. Fortunately for him, the ball bounces over the dead-ball line without touching a Clermont hand. Back we go for a home scrum inside the Leinster 22. <\/p>\n

Tadhg Furlong asks Carley to be consistent with his call of crooked put-ins now Clermont have the ball. You have to laugh, really. <\/p>\n

TRY DAN SHEEHAN<\/p>\n

28 mins: That\u2019s a gift, an absolute gift. The result of the previous counter-ruck was a charged down clearance going into touch. Clermont lineout close to their own line. <\/p>\n

However, they make a meal of it, the ball rebounding over the try-line as Leinster put pressure on the throw. The first man to react to the bouncing ball? Dan Sheehan, beating Jauneau in-goal. A soft, opportunistic score but five points all the same. <\/p>\n

Prendergast misses the wide conversion. <\/p>\n

Clermont 6-12 Leinster<\/p>\n

\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Dan Sheehan scores his side’s second try of the match. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

28 mins: Clermont\u2019s defence is good, forcing a counter-ruck that sees another Leinster attack die inside the 22. <\/p>\n

26 mins: Trouble here. Prendergast is down behind play and Carley immediately calls for a penalty in Leinster\u2019s favour. <\/p>\n

Secondrow Swain is guilty of a late hit and Carley wants to have a look at why a scuffle broke out afterwards. <\/p>\n

Well, it turns out that the tackle was fine, timing-wise. However, Swain took his time to get off the outhalf, holding him on the floor. That\u2019s why Joe McCarthy then got involved and others followed, albeit it was all very tame. Penalty only, Leinster go to the corner. <\/p>\n

\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Joe McCarthy. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

23 mins: Andrew Porter has Zahouany on toast at the scrum so far. Up pops the tighthead under pressure from the Leinster loosehead. Penalty, another scrum. <\/p>\n

Oh wow. Fintan Gunne has been pinged for a crooked feed into the scrum. This after Carley called him earlier for taking too long to set up a box-kick. Gunne won\u2019t have the English referee on his Christmas card list. <\/p>\n

Clermont use the free-kick to clear their lines. <\/p>\n

21 mins: Prendergast\u2019s chip in behind goes dead, Keenan in hot pursuit. <\/p>\n

They had advantage, though, Clermont caught offside again. This one is very kickable but Leinster call for a scrum 5m from the line. <\/p>\n

Clermont first have to make a HIA, Lanen\u2019s gumshield is flashing a warning. Michaux is on for him at secondrow. <\/p>\n

19 mins: Leinster thought they had lost out in attack as Gunne spilled at the base of the ruck. However, the officials have spotted a cynical hand on the floor knocking the ball loose. Secondrow Lanen was the culprit. He\u2019s lucky to not see yellow for that. <\/p>\n

Prendergast goes to the corner. <\/p>\n

15 mins: Now Porter is caught offside trying to get off the line quickly. It\u2019s in a similar spot to the last Plummer penalty but closer to the sticks. No surprise to see the kicking tee come back on. <\/p>\n

He really does strike the ball beautifully. Just like that, Leinster\u2019s lead is down to one. <\/p>\n

Clermont 6-7 Leinster <\/p>\n

13 mins: Henshaw slips a bit high in his tackle on Plummer. It\u2019s marginal, but Carley sticks the arm out. <\/p>\n

Clermont could go into the corner but they\u2019ve called for the kicking tee. Shot at goal from just inside the Leinster half. Plummer strikes it well and Clermont are on the board. <\/p>\n

Clermont 3-7 Leinster<\/p>\n

TRY TADHG FURLONG<\/p>\n

10 mins: That\u2019s an excellent score. IT all comes from a lineout just outside the 22, a dummy pop and switch at the back of a maul seeing Conan send Sheehan away down the short side. <\/p>\n

10 or so phases later, playing under advantage after Clermont strayed offside, Gunne sniped from the base of the ruck, finding half a gap before offloading to Furlong. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not often we see the tighthead burrowing his way over the line, but that\u2019s exactly what happened as he rides a tackle to open the scoring. Prendergast converts from a little bit out to the left. <\/p>\n

Clermont 0-7 Leinster<\/p>\n

\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Irish tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong scores a try. Photograph: Idriss Bigou-Gilles \/ AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n

9 mins: Leinster get close again. This time Keenan chases Prendergast\u2019s kick into the 22 and wins the battle for it. <\/p>\n

Looking to land and sprint towards the line, he loses the ball in contact thanks to a hit from Plummer – the man he originally beat in the air. <\/p>\n

8 mins: Jimmy O\u2019Brien is over! <\/p>\n

Chasing a kick in behind, he beat Bautista Delguy to the ball in the in-goal. The only question is if he got enough downward pressure on the ball for the score?<\/p>\n

NO TRY<\/p>\n

Matthew Carley says O\u2019Brien knocked-on in-goal while trying to dot down. It was an impressive break from Leinster, going wide in a counter-attack before O\u2019Brien\u2019s chip and chase. <\/p>\n

7 mins: Prendergast with a rush of blood to the head. Retreating into the backfield to recover a kick, he tries to take on Jurrand – a wing – on the outside. It\u2019s a predictable race that, given the disparity in pace. <\/p>\n

That leaves Prendergast scragged inside his own 22 but Leinster, thanks to a cleanout from Tommy O\u2019Brien, manage to secure the ball and clear.<\/p>\n

5 mins: An early Leinster attack stutters despite a strong carry from Tommy O\u2019Brien. Prendergast goes to the air but overcooks it, allowing Clermont to mark inside the 22. <\/p>\n

2 mins: Leinster get away with giving away an early scrum right on their 22. <\/p>\n

The frontrow gets a big shove on at the scrum, driving Clermont back. Noah, at number eight, tries to pick and go but spills the ball. Now it\u2019s a Leinster scrum in the same position. <\/p>\n

They get another shove and, this time, win a penalty. Leinster winning a scrum penalty against a big French pack? <\/p>\n

1 min: Matthew Carley is today\u2019s referee. He\u2019s told Clermont to kick things off as they\u2019re underway on a wet, greasy-looking surface in France. <\/p>\n

Straight away, Leinster make an error. Fintan Gunne doesn\u2019t use the ball when told while lining up a box-kick. He was trying to ask Carley if he was in or outside the 22 to know if he could kick to touch, but in the time it took to pose the question, Carley said he had left the ball for longer than 5 seconds inside the ruck. <\/p>\n

Clermont 0-0 Leinster<\/p>\n

The players are out but before we start, there will be a moment\u2019s silence in honour of Hyron Andrews. <\/p>\n

The South African lock tragically died on Friday while travelling with the Lions for their game against La Rochelle. <\/p>\n

LIONS SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF STAR LOCK<\/p>\n

With broken hearts, we mourn Hyron Andrews, a cherished member of our Lions family. Our thoughts are with Maiglin, Hendrix, Emerson and the entire Andrews family.<\/p>\n

Rest in peace, Hyron. \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Full statement: https:\/\/t.co\/V8WppYBnPk<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lrVV5xLBqk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) October 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

On the Premier Sports coverage, they\u2019re discussing some of the selection calls made by Leinster. It\u2019s hard to say there are any \u2018controversial\u2019 calls, but the most hotly contested is probably at inside centre. Robbie Henshaw gets the nod today, with Jamie Osborne on the bench having started there last week. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure Jamie Osborne is scratching his head at times. But Robbie has the experience. <\/p>\n

\u2014 \u00a0Steven Ferris on Premier Sports\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Robbie Henshaw. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Over to the provincial run of games so. Leinster are set to kick-off in 10 minutes time. <\/p>\n

\"ASMASM Clermont Auvergne’s Harry Plummer, Referee Matthew Carley and Leinster’s Dan Sheehan at the coin toss ahead of the match. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

It\u2019s just gone full-time in the first games of the day. Glasgow\u2019s maul was dominant in the final quarter as they\u2019re up and running with a hefty win over Sale. <\/p>\n

Champions Cup<\/p>\n

Sale 27-47 Glasgow <\/p>\n

Bulls 56-20 Stade Francais<\/p>\n

Challenge Cup <\/p>\n

Black Lion 14- 39 Ospreys <\/p>\n

Lyon 33-40 Sharks <\/p>\n

\"GlasgowGlasgow Warriors’ forwards go over the line for Scott Cummings to score a try. Photograph: Bryan Keane\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Some stats for you. There\u2019s been plenty of chatter on how new maul law applications have rendered that set-piece a more potent, if not unstoppable weapon. <\/p>\n

If that is the case, which clubs appear well set, based on the strength of their mauls last season? The short answer, historically at least, is not the provinces. <\/p>\n

For what it\u2019s worth, Glasgow have just scored a maul try against Sale in one of the day\u2019s early kick-offs…<\/p>\n

Read the full story below. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Champions Cup stats show futility of hoping to break French stranglehold Opens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\"MetresMetres per maul in last year’s EPCR and domestic competitions. <\/p>\n

A view of the team kits ahead of kick-off. Clermont are in their European navy strip as opposed to their usual home yellow. <\/p>\n

As a result, Leinster can\u2019t wear their own navy European offering, meaning they\u2019re in the away white. Or at least I think it\u2019s white? <\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s grey…<\/p>\n

\"InvestecInvestec Champions Cup Round 1, Stade Marcel-Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand, France 17\/10\/2026
\nASM Clermont Auvergne vs Leinster
\nA view of Baptiste Jauneau\u2019s locker in the ASM Clermont Auvergne dressing room ahead of the match. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho \"AA view of the Leinster jersey in the dressing room ahead of the match. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s some pre-match reading for you. John O\u2019Sullivan\u2019s preview is well worth your time. In it, he covers Joey Carbery\u2019s return, Clermont\u2019s threat at lineout time and how Leinster have tried to evolve their attack in recent weeks. <\/p>\n

Click the link below. <\/p>\n

Leinster have yet to score a maul try this season, and given their proliferation in the URC, that\u2019s a statistic that jumps out and one that they\u2019d love to rectify this afternoon. They\u2019ll need to be strong and disciplined across set piece and breakdown and uncompromising in the collisions. The evolution in attack has been notable and noteworthy in qualitative terms.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u00a0John O’Sullivan<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Leinster to bring evolved attack as Clermont Auvergne challenge bears signs of similar tussleOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\"JoeyJoey Carbery returns to Leinster action today. Photograph: Ben McShane\/Sportsfile <\/p>\n

Given Ulster are in Challenge Cup action at the same time as Leinster, it\u2019s worth reminding us of the squad they\u2019ve picked to take on Zebre. Plenty wondered how seriously Ulster would take this competition, given they went all in for last year\u2019s final and both lost that while missing out on the URC playoffs. <\/p>\n

The answer is serious-ish. Richie Murphy has named seven of his 10 Ireland internationals – Tom O\u2019Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nathan Doak, Rob Baloucoune, Jacob Stockdale, Tom Stewart and Eric O\u2019Sullivan. However, Jamie Benson at 10 or a centre pairing of Jake Flannery and Daniel Hawkshaw is not, you would think, Ulster\u2019s first choice. <\/p>\n

As for Clermont, they have avoided the French affliction of picking purely second string teams for European competition. Leinster at home and all the history these two have during the province\u2019s pomp, winning three titles in four years between 2009-12, perhaps it makes sense why they\u2019re going after this one. <\/p>\n

Key man Baptiste Jauneau starts at scrumhalf with Bautista Delguy and AJ Lam providing running threats in the outside backs. <\/p>\n

Perhaps fortunately for Leinster, the appropriately named prop Regis Montagne hasn\u2019t been named in the squad having featured in last week\u2019s narrow defeat to Bordeaux. Nevertheless, there is plenty of heft in this Clermont pack. <\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the team news from the day\u2019s first Irish Champions Cup game. Leinster have made six changes to the XV that beat Cardiff in last weekend\u2019s return to the RDS. <\/p>\n

Tommy O\u2019Brien replaces Joshua Kenny on the right flank while Robbie Henshaw comes in for Jamie Osborne in the outside backs. At halfback, with Jamison Gibson-Park not yet fit for action, Fintan Gunne swaps in for Oliver Coffey. <\/p>\n

In the pack, Andrew Porter replaces Alex Usanov at loosehead, while Ryan Baird and Josh van der Flier come in for Max Deegan and Scott Penny in the backrow. <\/p>\n

There is going to be a first Leinster appearance for Joey Carbery since the province\u2019s Champions Cup final win back in 2018. After stints with Munster and Bordeaux, Carbery is back at his home province and provides outhalf cover on the bench, Leinster going with the more experienced option over exciting young 10 Caspar Gabriel. <\/p>\n

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to live coverage of the start of the provincial run in this year\u2019s Champions Cup. <\/p>\n

All three Irish sides involved in the top tier of European (and South African, for the sticklers) rugby are in action today. Ulster, who line out in the second tier Challenge Cup, also take to the field today. <\/p>\n

We\u2019ll bring you updates from all of the action as it happens this afternoon and into the evening. First up, it\u2019s last season\u2019s beaten finalists Leinster taking on Clermont in the raucous Stade Marcel-Michelin. At the same time, Ulster are in Parma to take on Zebre. <\/p>\n

At 5.30pm, Connacht welcome three-time champions Saracens to Galway before Munster host Racing 92 in Cork at 8pm <\/p>\n