The Lions have fought bravely in the first half but ultimately the class of Leinster eventually told. Leinster dominated the second half and slowly took a stranglehold of the match.
FULL TIME: LEINSTER 24 - LIONS 6
It' all over
Leinster moved the ball upfield, they win the lineout on Lions 5m line, the driving maul has been brought down by the Lions and the referee awards a penalty try.
PENALTRY TRY, LEINSTER, LEINSTER 24 - LIONS 6
Lions win a penalty and move upfield into Leinster 22. Opportunity lost as they lose the ball forward. Seems unlikely they can get a losing bonus point now
As the rain comes down, you have to say Leinster have weathered a major storm and gradually turned the screw on the Lions
It's just game management now from Leinster, they keeping ball in hand on Lions 10m line. They win a penalty and kick into Lions 22
Leinster scrum on Lions 10m. they run the ball, shifting it through midfield. Nothing comes of it, Lions back in possession.
Just a reminder it's still Leinster 17 - Lions 6 as we enter the final 10 minutes.
Leinster are back in the Lions half. They mount another attack inside the Lions red zone, Lowe tries a grubber, their almost in but it's a knock-on
PENALTY LIONS, they kick for touch deep into Leinster 22 for the line out. They miss their jumper and lose the ball. Chance goes begging there, They need to score now if they want to get back in it
You feel Leinster are now just slowly strangling the Lions. That is how they normally wear down their opponents. Lions are trailing by 11 now
TRY LEINSTER, DORIS, LEINSTER 15 - LIONS 6. They just keep coming at you. They shifted the ball through phases and barged their way over
Massive chance Leinster, James Lowe out wide was almost in at corner but brilliant defending from Lions made sure he knocked on over try line
Big chance goes missing for Leinster, forward pass and they lose possession with try line in sights
Leinster now turn the tables at scrum time, they win a penalty and Prendergast kicks for touch into the Lions 22. Line out Leinster
PENALTY LIONS, Huge relieving scrum penalty from Lions. they clear their lines and move Leinster back upfield
Leinster are in control of ball deep in Lions half. They shift the ball wide to James Lowe, he knocks the ball forward. Good chance spurned by Leinster, Lions scrum
Leinster were in the Lions half and lost possession. Good line-break from the Lions as they attack into the Leinster half. Oh no, knock from Lions.
KICK-OFF, We're underway with the second half.
LEINSTER 10 - LIONS 6, The Lions are trailing at half-time after a courageous first half performance. Their scrums and set pieces are on que. They will be disappointed to concede the try. Joins us after the break.
So the Lions will be disappointed with conceding that try. They have been playing well but Leinster as they do just hit them on the break
Josh van de Flier has got Leinster in from with a try. they have absorbed pressure from Lions and hit back
TRY LEINSTER, VAN de Flier
The flyhalf misses with a 56m attem. Lions still calling the shots they lead by 3 at moment
Faboulous from Lions. Another penalty for them just inside their half.. my word Wolhuter attempting a 56m kick
This has been a really good opening quarter from the Lions. they have repelled Leinster and remain composed.
PENALTY LIONS, Wolhuter will try for the posts from about halfway. Magnificent from Wolhuter, he slots it
CONVERSION WOLHUTER from front of the posts
PENALTY LIONS, Josh van de Flier gives away a penalty at breakdown, should be an easy three for Wolhuter
Lions putting in hard work now, both teams exchanging kicks. Lions wont mind this, making it competitive
Leinster dominating the early exchanges, running at the Lions keeping them pegged back
LEINSTER 3- LIONS 0 Prendergast converts early penalty after Lions were blown up.
KICK-OFF! We're underway in Dublin, Leinster with deep kick-off
So here we are, there is 10 minutes to go before kick-off at The Aviva Stadium, the Lions come in as heavy underdogs but try telling that to their fans. On Pride day in Joburg, can the pride of the Highveld do it!
Leinster are looking irresistible this season claiming maximum points from all five matches this season. Head coach Leo Cullen has made 10 changes to his team including three academy players. But don't be fooled by that stat, the team boasts an array of Irish internationals, including James Lowe, Josh van de Flier, Hugo Keenan and Robbie Henshaw among others.
Lions welcome back three players who missed their last encounter. Kade Wolhuter is at flyhalf, Rynhardt Jonker is back at centre and the big boy Asenathi Ntlabakanye takes his place at tighthead.
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen, together with his assistants, Jaque Fourie and Ricardo Loubscher, have done a remarkable job thus far. These are the days that Joburg fans look forward to, playing arguably the most polished team in the URC.
Your match officials for the encounter:
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland), Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Andrew Osborne, 13 Hugh Cooney, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Max Deegan, 5 Ryan Baird, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Michael Milne.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Smyth, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 James Culhane, 21 Cormac Foley, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Charlie Tector.
The teams are as follows:
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Erich Cronje
Good evening and welcome to the highly anticipated top of the table clash between Leinster and the Lions, live from the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Both teams are unbeaten this season. This is surely going to be a massive test for the men from the Highveld.
