Leinster retained its unbeaten record across all competitions this season but needed another Jordie Barrett try to see off Clermont Auvergne 15-7 in a below-par performance in their Champions Cup pool game at the weekend.
Barrett played at fullback in a game where Leinster coach Leo Cullen was disappointed with the errors, especially in lineout play. Barrett’s try came midway through the first half, courtesy of a tap penalty executed by fellow Kiwi halfback Jamison Gibson-Park.
Barrett told media after the game, “Very scrappy, but it’s Champions Cup. Such a physical, competitive side, Clermont, and we were expecting an aerial contest and for them to come out of that breakdown, and we got both of those.
“So, at times, we made it hard on ourselves, but look, it’s one of those games where you take a win and run away and look forward to next week.”
Leinster are still without internationals Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, James Lowe, Jamie Osborne and Hugo Keenan, so face expected improvement.
However, local media are highlighting the tough decision Cullen will face in the midfield.
The Irish Mail on Sunday said: “Jordie Barrett, on his first start, offered glimpses of his Test quality. Again, there is a sense that the All Blacks star would have an even greater influence if he was deployed in his favoured position of inside centre. Another selection headache for Cullen, with Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose on deck.”
Meanwhile, fellow New Zealander Gareth Anscombe has been relishing an injury-free run with new club Gloucester.
The Welsh Test player joined the English club after recovering from an injury sustained at last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Gloucester attack coach James Lightfoot Brown said, “Gareth has made a fantastic impact on the squad. He has played at the top level for a long time, and his strengths are clear.
“He has had a fair few injuries, but his incredible desire to get better and play at the level he is after being out for a long time is all credit to him.
“He was brilliant against Northampton and Edinburgh last week when he managed the game superbly, putting us in the right areas.”
Anscombe was not part of the Gloucester team beaten 43-19 by Vannes at the weekend.
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
