TREVISO – 3
LEINSTER – 31
Ireland’s squad for the Guinness Series will convene at Carton House on Sunday evening and Rob Kearney is expected to report for duty.
The Leinster fullback lasted just five minutes into the second half of his side’s Guinness PRO14 victory over Benetton Treviso. Kearney appeared to take a bad blow to his shoulder after another carry that gained metres for Leinster [there is a clip of the incident below].
Leinster got back to winning ways after their Champions Cup defeat to Toulouse, last Sunday. Adam Byrne and James Tracy – two internationals that missed out on Ireland’s latest Test squad – got over for first-half tries while scores from Conor O’Brien – Kearney’s replacement – and Andrew Porter ensured the try-scoring bonus point.
Jamison Gibson Park had another fine game, at scrumhalf, for Leinster and his clever kick set up Byrne for the first try of the game. Treviso battled back well but the visitors were able to withstand their flurries at the cost of just three points.
Tracy powered over after 30 minutes and Ross Byrne’s conversion left it 12-3 at the break.
Looking to press on and put the contest to bed, Gibson Park found Rob Kearney in the backline. Kearney’s match total for carries was 78 metres gained off six carries (seven defenders beaten) but his best carry would be his final contribution.
He shipped a heavy blow from hooker Epalahame Faiva, after leaving three of his teammates flailing, and did not get back up.
Credit: eir SportKearney received treatment from two members of the Leinster medical staff and the decision was taken to sub him off, for O’Brien. Robbie Henshaw dropped to cover fullback. On commentary duty for eir Sport, Eddie O’Sullivan said:
“I see Rob Kearney has gone off. That’s not good news for Joe Schmidt.
“He went down after that counter-attack [and] seems like he picked up a knock.”
Conor O’Brien scored his first Leinster try within 10 minutes of coming on for Kearney, and playing in midfield. Porter then powered over from close-range and the game was won.
Try of the game came in the closing stages as Noel Reid’s dink for Joe Tomane sealed the 31-3 victory.
That was Tomane’s first try for his new side.
OUR MAN OF THE MATCH: Jamison Gibson Park
