In a match of low quality, Leinster struggled to win this Saturday, at home, against Clermont.
Tops
Clermont’s self-sacrifice
Who could have predicted that Clermont would stand up to Leinster, at home, in their lair at the Aviva Stadium? Clermont manager Christophe Urios feared being in trouble before the match. It was quite the opposite. Even if they left with a defeat (15-7), Baptiste Jauneau and his team produced a magnificent performance in the engagement against the Irish. Performance on which we will have to build, particularly defensively. If they had few balls to exploit in attack, the Jaunards were especially excellent in defense to resist the successive waves of Sam Prendergast and company, with 170 tackles and 89% success in this sector.
Tix will still be strong
He has had a very interesting start to the season and confirmed it against one of the best teams in Europe. Killian Tixeront, 22, showed the way to his teammates, especially in the defensive sector. The young third row put in a huge amount of work, finishing the match with 17 tackles (match record) and great activity in attack (58 meters covered with the ball in hand). As in Treviso, he was once again quite good in the touchline area. In a tough match, the Frenchman stood out for his ability to lead the fight.
Jordie Barrett and patron
It feels like it’s always been there. After 30 convincing minutes last week against Bristol, New Zealander Jordie Barrett started for the first time this Saturday with Leinster. Author of a magnificent performance in front of his supporters, his technique and his vision of the game are already fluidifying the somewhat fragile system of the Irish. If the Leinstermen have not offered their best rugby, they are already there. 20 races, 127 meters gained and a try. In the land of Clover, all the lights are green for the back of the All Blacks.
Flops
An unrecognizable Leinster
A catastrophic touch and inaccuracies in all directions. There will be little positive to keep for Leo Cullen’s men after this victory against Clermont. Leinster were simply unrecognizable this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, with 19 lost balls and only 56% of touches won. Jamison Gibson-Park and his team could even have lost if the Clermontois had been more precise in the last gesture. When Bordeaux-Bègles and Toulouse crush their opponents, the Irish are less impressive. There is work to be done before the next Champions Cup block.
At the exit from Moala
Christophe Urios was worried about experiencing damage at the Aviva Stadium. And he was right. Often affected by injuries in recent years, the fabulous Tongan center George Moala was injured in the 18th minute of play. A premature exit which inevitably disrupted the Clermont offensive system. Examinations should provide details as to the duration of his unavailability, but it is already a hard blow for the Auvergne club.
Senegal
