Leinster spark into life and cruise past Bristol
Leinster begin their pursuit of a fifth Investec Champions Cup crown with a ruthless second half display to claim a bonus-point victory over Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.
Bristol Bears (7) 12
Tries: Lahiff, Ibitoye Con: Janse van Rensburg
Leinster (7) 35
Tries: Larmour, Prendergast 2, Barrett, Van der Flier Con: Prendergast 5
Leinster began their pursuit of a fifth Investec Champions Cup crown with a ruthless second half display to claim a bonus-point victory over Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.
Fly-half Sam Prendergast scored 20 points, including two of his side’s four tries after the break, as new signing Jordie Barrett and Josh van der Flier also crossed.
Bristol started brightly and took the lead through Max Lahiff from close range but Leinster, who had two players in the sin-bin, hit back almost immediately when Jordan Larmour capitalised on Rich Lane’s handling error.
The teams were tied at the interval but the visitors were able to bring on New Zealand utility back Barrett and South Africa’s World Cup-winning lock RG Snyman, whose quality tipped the balance in Leinster’s favour.
Barrett opened his account for the club with a clever dummy before sliding over under the posts and Snyman’s fierce charge set-up Prendergast on his shoulder to seal the bonus.
Back row Van der Flier added further gloss to the scoreline for the four-time winners with a powerful surge from a line-out.
Premiership leaders Bristol salvaged a late consolation through winger Gabriel Ibitoye, who latched onto Kieran Marmion’s kick to run clear.
Leinster host Clermont Auvergne in their next Pool 2 game on Saturday, 14 December (17:30 GMT), while Bristol travel to previous champions La Rochelle later on the same day (20:00).
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Bristol: Lane; Bates, Van Rensburg, Ravouvou, Ibitoye; MacGinty, Randall; Genge, Thacker, Lahiff, Dun, Owen, Grondona, Harding (capt), Mata.
Replacements: Oghre, Woolmore, Chawatama, Luatua, Grondona, Marmion, Jenkins, Elizalde.
Leinster: Frawley; Larmour, Ringrose, Henshaw, O’Brien; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Boyle, Kelleher, Slimani, J McCarthy, Ryan, Deegan, Van der Flier, Conan (capt).
Replacements: G McCarthy, Porter, Clarkson, Snyman, Doris, McGrath, R Byrne, Barrett.
Referee: Craig Evans (Wal)
