Seven-try Leinster cruise to win over Bath

Jamison Gibson-Park kicked things off as he dived over in the corner on three minutes, and Leinster had a second eight minutes later as Tadhg Furlong powered over.

James Lowe then dotted down after a smart offload by Hugo Keenan, and with Bath reduced to 14 men after Richard DeCarpentier’s yellow card, the pair reversed roles to supply a fourth try on 24 minutes.

Lowe produced some deft hands to send Keenan over, before Gibson-Park capitalised on some slack Bath tackling to notch his second and Leinster’s fifth inside half an hour.

Bath did, however, manage one moment of quality at the end of the first half, with a clever lineout move releasing Jacques du Toit down the blindside to reduce the deficit slightly.

But Leinster were well in control and added to their tally seven minutes into the second half as Ronan Kelleher bundled over.

Bath’s frustrating day was typified by a potential second try on 51 minutes being ruled out for an illegal maul construction.

Leinster would then score a seventh with just under an hour played as Josh van der Flier forced his way over after a period of relentless pressure.

Bath were improved in the second-half though and managed to stem the tide as the game wore on and were rewarded for their efforts when Gabe Hamer-Webb crossed late on.

Leinster travel to Montpellier Hérault Rugby in Round 2 while Bath are at home to last season’s Heineken Champions Cup finalists Stade Rochelais.

via www.epcrugby.com