Plenty of expectations are placed on Leinster's All Blacks newcomer Geordie Barrett, but it was young Irish home-bred flyhalf Sam Prendergast who stole the show in the chilly west on Sunday night. . Prendergast have already distinguished themselves at Test level this autumn and did it again at the expense of Bristol, with the visitors scoring a significant bonus point victory in Pool Two.
Barrett also impressed on his debut for Leinster, scoring one try and scoring another, but it was the 21-year-old who did the most damage to the scoreboard with two sharp tries and a total of 20 points. It was Rendergast. It was also yet another disappointment for the England team on the opening weekend, with six losses and just two wins for the Premiership side.
There was certainly a clear winner on this night in the battle between Bristol's attacking brilliance and Leinster's defensive solidity. The visitors, who were briefly down to 13 men in the first half, won 28-5 in the second half, with a star-studded bench making a game-changing change, with Giants Springboks' RG Snyman breaking through to score Prendergast's second. I set up a try.
The young fly-half, making his first start in the competition, was more than a resemblance to Johnny Sexton and both tries were brilliantly converted. The first came from a Sexton-style loop and dagger-like cut following Barrett's first receiver pass, and the second was a bonus point with good pace from long range. Barrett, who scored by cutting in from a sharp angle, also seemed to have adapted quickly to his new northern hemisphere habitat. “They're a quality team and they had a good day,” said Bristol's director of rugby, Pat Lam.
It was cold, windy and rainy, a less than ideal night for Bristol's skilled off-road game. In addition, tactical key player AJ McGinty was rescued with a rib injury after just four minutes following a heavy midfield tackle by Gary Ringrose, while center Benhard Janse van Rensburg was given 10 points for good. Shifting inside also ruined the team's cause.
However, it was Leinster who had to weather most of the early pressure, tested by the Bears' fast-paced response and collective work ethic. The number of penalties was also increasing, and we were on the verge of incurring losses. First, Ronan Kelleher was given a yellow card for dragging down a driving maul near his own line, and two minutes later, Max Deegan tried to trip Harry Tucker a bit and followed him into the bin, giving Bristol Hooker threatened a try-creating break.
The Bears got another boost when Max Lahif was driven over from short range and Van Rensburg calmly converted. But hopes of wreaking havoc on their 13-man opponents were quickly dashed as Leinster snatched the restart, the ball floating off home full-back Rich Lane and Jordan Larmour nipping in for an immediate try. I stole it.
It was 7-7 by half-time, but it was slow enough for Ellis Genge to smash Prendergast hard and welcome the young fly-half into the tough side of Bristol culture. But if the idea was to banish the youngster from the game, it turned out to be a clear mistake.
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quick guide
Champions Cup recap: Bordeaux tame Tigers
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Bordeaux bagel Won the victory with a comeback in the second half leicester They won their first Champions Cup match 42-28 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. The Tigers built a seven-point lead by half-time, but the hosts rallied with four tries, with France international Louis Viel Bialley scoring twice. Despite resting several players, Leicester got off to a strong start with two tries in the opening 15 minutes, a lock from Harry Wells and a close-range touchdown from Josh Bassett. Bordeaux hit back with a try from forward Pete Sam in the 6th minute and equalized just before the 30th minute when Guido Petty converted from a counter. Frenchman Kom Joo-sang then scored a try on his debut for the Tigers, giving the visitors a 21-14 lead at half-time. However, Bordeaux regained their composure during the interval and made a lightning start to the second half, with Biel Bialley scoring from his own kick and Sam scoring his second goal to put Bordeaux ahead. Biel Bialley touched down again between the posts, Nicolas Deportaire scored his sixth try and Isaiah Perez's late goal at least gave Leicester a bonus point. holder toulouse Antoine Dupont's team won with a landslide victory, clinching France's double title in Pool 1. ulster At Stade Ernesto Wallon, he won 61 wins and lost 21. PA media
Leinster were unfazed by a strange start to the second half. Referee Pierre Bourset could no longer tolerate the scrum between both teams and sent Lahif and new arrival Andrew Porter into the bin. It didn't matter as Dublin's equivalent of a 'bomb squad', which also included Snyman and Ireland captain Celan Doris, took firm control of the game and changed the face of the game.
Prendergast and Barrett, who almost signed for Bristol two years ago, were also on the scoresheet, as was Josh van der Flier, who scored a try after Gabriel Ibitoye hit back too late. Ta. Leinster, who face Clermont Auvergne at home next weekend, are exactly where they want to be as they look to win the title that has narrowly eluded them for the past three seasons.
Bristol were at least able to unveil new women's player Ilona Maher. She was paraded in front of the crowd during the interval and is expected to make her England club debut in milder conditions in the new year. Winter rugby has its charms, but a late kick-off on a cold Sunday in December is sure to separate the true believers from the casual floating voters.
