Tournament favourites Leinster sent out a massive warning to the Vodacom Bulls as they demolished a poor Glasgow Warriors side 76-14 in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarterfinal at the RDS Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.
It was made abundantly clear that any team that wants to win the inaugural URC trophy will have to beat Leinster at some time, and if it wasn’t tough enough, the Dublin side put the hammer down after their disappointing defeat in the final of the European Champions’ Cup to La Rochelle.
There was always going to be a measure of anger in the disappointment and while Glasgow started well, two yellow cards cost them dearly and the game was really over just after halftime when Leinster just pulled away and then just kept on scoring.
While a result like this underlines the difference in class between Leinster and the rest, it also underscores the magnitude in the Bulls task next weekend in the semifinal as Leinster, in this form, look unstoppable.
And the worst part it could easily have been a bigger hiding for Glasgow if Leinster had finished all their chances.
To say that it was one-sided in the second half would be an understatement. It certainly looked as if Leinster were not only on another level, but that Glasgow shouldn’t have been in the same league as them.
And when you realise that Glasgow’s match-day 23 had 17 internationals then it makes it even more frightening for the opposition.
The match saw the most tries and most points scored in the URC, setting some new records on the way.
That kind of form can be a blessing or a curse, and the Bulls will be wanting to draw from La Rochelle’s example when they get to Dublin but the rout will provide plenty of food for thought this week.
DEMOLITION JOB
The irony is that Glasgow had a chance, well, at least in the beginning of the match, where they started strongly and scored first.
But indiscipline, through a head high shot from Scottish international Richie Gray, turned the game in Leinster’s favour, and it was all they needed.
Gray was lucky not to get a red - certainly we’ve seen similar shots be red-carded in the past - but the 10 minutes off the field turned the tide and saw Leinster score three tries and never looked back.
This all negated the good work from Zander Fagerson’s early try that gave the visitors an early lead and allowed Dan Sheehan to make an even game.
With Gray off the field, Jordan Lamour and Joe McCarthy crossed and later Sheehan got his second to leave Leinster 26-7 up at the break.
Glasgow needed to respond in the second half and they were woeful. Leinster made it over the gainline with ease and found so many holes that at times it was hard to keep up with the try scorers.
Caelin Doris crashed over just two minutes into the second half and it was clear Glasgow weren’t going to put up a fight.
And when Ollie Smith got Glasgow’s second yellow two minutes later, the only real discussion was how big the scoreline would get.
And bigger it did get as Lamour got his second and was joined on the scoreboard by Garry Ringrose, George Horne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciaran Frawley, Luke McGrath and Jimmy O’Brien to complete the demolition.
It was too easy for Leinster and a disappointment from Glasgow.
And a reminder of just how difficult the Bulls' task will be next week.
SCORERS
Leinster - tries: Dan Sheehan (2), Jordan Lamour (2), Joe McCarthy, Caelin Doris, Michael Alaalatoa, Jamison Gibson-Park, Garry Ringrose, Ciaran Frawley, Luke McGrath, Jimmy O’Brien. Conversions: Ross Byrne (6), Harry Byrne (2).
Glasgow Warriors - tries: Zander Fagerson, George Horne. Conversions: Ross Thompson (2).