Leinster hold out hard-charging Tigers

MATCH REPORT: Leinster booked a home Champions Cup semifinal against reigning champions Stade Toulousain after overcoming Leicester Tigers 23-14 at Welford Road on Saturday.

The Irish province, who will play at Toulouse in Dublin next weekend, got the bulk of the job done in the first half - as Josh van der Flier and Robbie Henshaw crossed for tries in addition to two Johnny Sexton penalties.

Leicester attempted to battle back in the second half and got over through Chris Ashton and Nic Dolly, but the visitors were largely in control and saw the game out.

* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!

Leinster flew out of the blocks and notched a try on 15 minutes as flank Van der Flier powered his way over, adding to flyhalf Sexton’s early penalty.

Their lead was extended on 22 minutes when centre Henshaw barreled over, leaving a disjointed Leicester side stunned.

The hosts searched for a way back into the game but struggled for accuracy in possession, and they were further condemned by a strong Leinster side as Sexton nudged another penalty over the posts on 36 minutes.

But Leicester started the second half in the ascendancy, and a powerful line-out drive set the platform for their first try of the game, wing Ashton diving over in the corner to give the hosts a sniff of a comeback.

Tigers continued to probe and saw replacement wing Nemani Nadolo held up over the line on 53 minutes, but Leinster would be next to register points on 65 minutes as Sexton knocked over another penalty.

Leicester had opportunities to reduce the deficit further, but Leinster’s scrum reigned supreme at crucial moments.

And although Leicester crossed late on through replacement hooker Dolly, Leinster would march into the last four off the back of an assured display.

The scorers

For Leicester Tigers

Tries: Ashton, Dolly

Cons: Ford 2

For Leinster

Tries: Van der Flier, Henshaw

Cons: Sexton 2

Pens: Sexton 3

Teams

Leicester: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Guy Porter, 11 Harry Potter, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 5 Calum Green, 4 Ollie Chessum, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Ellis Genge (captain).

Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 James Whitcombe, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Harry Wells, 20 George Martin, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Nemani Nadolo.

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 James Ryan, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter.

Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Michael Ala’alatoa, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Tommy O’Brien.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

Assistant referees: Tual Trainini (France), Thomas Charabas (France)

TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)

Source: @ChampionsCup