Russell hat-trick powers Leinster to bonus-point win over Glasgow

An impressive hat-trick from Leinster right wing Rob Russell helped his side cruise to a comfortable 40-5 (halftime 21-0) bonus-point win over Glasgow Warriors in their United Rugby Championship match at the RDS Arena in Dublin on Saturday afternoon.

A strong first-quarter showing from Leinster saw them take a 21-0 lead early in the game, and despite Glasgow improving over the rest, they were unable to stage a comeback, leading to a couple of late tries from the hosts adding gloss to the scoreline.

Leinster got off to a perfect start in the match as two tries in the opening 10 minutes saw them fly into a 14-0 lead.

Rob Russell grabs a hat-trick and @leinsterrugby take the W! ???? #BKURC #URC | #LEIvGLA pic.twitter.com/IfEuDbqFds
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) November 26, 2022

Both were scored from lineouts, with the first seeing quick hands down the line giving left wing Dave Kearney the space to get in at the left-hand corner, while the second was down to a brilliant offload on the line from centre Charlie Ngatai to right wing Rob Russell to dot down in the right-hand corner.

Flyhalf Ross Byrne had his kicking boots on, slotting both touchline conversions despite a tricky wind blowing across the ground.

Another Leinster lineout led to their third try in the 23rd minute, as from a ruck scrumhalf Luke McGrath sniped down the blindside and offloaded to Russell, who brushed off a tackle attempt and sprinted away to score, with Byrne again on target for a 21-0 lead.

Glasgow managed to stem the tide over the rest of the half, but despite making a few chances themselves, were unable to get over the line as Leinster held a strong lead at the break.

A strong start to the second half for Glasgow saw Leinster hooker Ronan Kelleher sent to the bin for 10 minutes after cynical play near his own tryline.

Glasgow kicked the ball to the corner, set the maul and powered over, only for a TMO check to show a flying wedge move, which saw the try overturned and Leinster given a penalty.

However, Glasgow came powering straight back into the Leinster 22m, with good hands getting the ball to right wing Sebastian Cancelliere to step inside and go over, with the conversion missed leaving the score 21-5 after 50 minutes.

Five minutes later Leinster hit back, as they took a quick tap-penalty deep in Glasgow’s 22m, with the recycled ball popped to replacement prop Michael Milne to crash over, as Byrne’s perfect night continued putting them 28-5 up.

Leinster sealed the win in the 73rd minute, as they stole a Glasgow lineout on the visitors 22m, before Chris Cosgrave showed some superb footwork and then offloaded to Russell as he went in for the unconverted score.

Replacement hooker John McKee added a cherry to the cake for Leinster with a late score, as replacement back Harry Byrne landed the conversion to end proceedings.

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Hat-trick hero Rob Russell has been named today's Player of the Match ??#LEIvGLA #BKTURC pic.twitter.com/D6EbnNeoBD
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) November 26, 2022