Leinster vs Benetton: A look at the numbers
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Leinster proved that they are still favorites to win this years United Rugby Championship competition. After what looked like a well contested first half where the difference was less than 5 points between the two sides, Leinster put on a master class performance in the second half to keep their Italian counterparts scoreless.
The match was sealed with an emphatic 47-18 victory for the Irish side. Of course, a quick look at the numbers will tell us everything we need to know about the match.
Liam Turner led the numbers with most metres gained on the day with 78 meteres gained, 28 metres more than second placed teammate Rob Russell who ended on 50.
Leinster 8th man Max Deegan gained some vital ground with his 48 metres gained, but where he truly shone was with ball in hand, completing 15 carries on the day, well ahead of Russell’s 9 carries.
Benettons Ignacio Mendy proved his attacking prowess breaking the line twice, tied with Leinster scrum-half Luke McGrath who also ended on two. McGrath and Mendy were again almost on Par with one another, this time with defenders beaten. However. Mendy’s 5 defenders beaten proved to be one better than McGraths four. H
The Italians were the far busier side on defence, with prop Thomas Gallo leading the team with 15 completed tackles, closely followed by fellow prop Tiziano Pasquali with 14.