With the Six Nations just around the corner, there was good and bad news from Ospreys’ Liberty Stadium.
Doubters be damned – in the Guinness PRO12, at least – as Leinster are back on top.
Leo Cullen’s side beat their Welsh hosts 22-9 to reach the summit of the league and allay any fears of an extended, Champions Cup-induced slump.
The Irish province were tested to their limits before pulling away with two late tries. Major positives for Leinster, and for Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, will be the performances of Johnny Sexton and Dave Kearney, and Sean O’Brien’s 80-minute stint.
Sexton was at his best for some time as he managed the game effectively and kicked intelligently. His cross-field chip to Kearney set up the opening try:
https://vine.co/v/ihTFdlMD2uB
Kearney scored his second, late in the piece, and reminded fans and coaches alike that he knows where the tryline is.
The worries, however, stemmed from injuries to potential Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip and centre Luke Fitzgerald.
Heaslip failed a Head Injury Assessment after being concussed after six minutes of the game. Fitzgerald lasted an hour before going off with a shoulder injury.
Post-match, Cullen told reporters that Heaslip would undergo return to play protocols. If he passes them all successfully, he could be fit to take on Bath at the RDS.
Fitzgerald, said the coach, had a “stinger” and would be monitored during the week. The versatile back injured his shoulder in the Champions Cup loss to Wasps in November.
