Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park scored a first-half hat-trick as Leinster beat Leicester Tigers 36-22 in the Round of 16 of the Champions Cup on Saturday.
The impressive No. 9 achieved the feat within the first 30 minutes of the game at the Aviva Stadium, producing a classy performance to lead Leinster to victory.
Robbie Henshaw and Jack Connan also scored tries, while Ross Byrne and Harry Byrne also added goals from the tee as Ireland advanced to the last eight against La Rochelle.
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The French side, who defeated the Stormers in Cape Town, return to Dublin for next week’s heavyweight quarter-finals, 11 months after retaining their European title.
Leicester repeated their fast start from the fourth round in January, with James Cronin and Jasper Wiese combining on the break in midfield.
Springbok Handre Pollard, who was playing with a penalty advantage, was released by Dan Kelly’s brilliant offload and crashed over to convert.
However, Player of the Match Gibson Park quickly became the star of the game, with a remarkable performance leading up to Ross Byrne’s penalty and then scoring consecutive tries in the next 11 minutes.
The Irish scrum-half raced home in the 12th minute after Dan Sheehan wedged Joe McCarthy between two defenders. Ross Byrne converted and watched as his halfback partner scored on the left after receiving a return pass from Sheehan.
Saracens are kicked out of the Champions Cup by giants Bordeaux Begles in an era-ending defeat.
Ollie Hassell-Collins had a chance to stretch, leading to a penalty for Pollard in the 28th minute, but Leicester’s leaky defense responded and snatched a third try.
Jamie Osborne’s sharp attacking line created an opening for the visitors, with supporting Gibson Park breaking a tackle from Freddie Steward and slipping past Jack van Portvliet and under the posts. Ross Byrne’s extra effort led to 12 points between the two teams.
The game was far from over as the Tigers were awarded a scrum penalty early in the second half (a strength of the game), Rowe was given a yellow card, Cronin was quickly brought down and Pollard had an unfortunate conversion hit at his near post. .
Dan McKellar’s side promised to do more, with Hanro Liebenberg forcing a turnover, but Henshaw picked up a pass from Kelly’s midfield and fired in a punch-like goal from halfway, which was scored by Ross Byrne. The score was 29-15.
Knocks for fly-half Ross Byrne and Cian Healy added to Leinster’s injury concerns, but Connan, who had missed an earlier try, managed to convert a deft break from Ryan Baird.
Clare had the final say and benefited from an ill-timed lineout by the Irish province, knowing they cannot afford to repeat the same mistake when the defending champions come to town.
team
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Jamie Osborne, 11 James Rowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Sheeran Doris (c), 7 Josh Van Dar Fryer, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Joe McCarthy, 4 Ross Moloney, 3 Tad Furron, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacement: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Michael Araratoa, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Ben Murphy, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Ciaran Frawley
Leicester: 15 Jamie Silcock, 14 Freddie Steward, 13 Dan Kelly, 12 Solomon Kata, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jacques van Poortvliet, 8 Jasper Wies, 7 Ollie Cracknell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 5 Kyle Hatherell, 4 Harry Wells, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 James Cronin.
Replacement: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Finn Carnduff, 20 Emeka Ilione, 21 Tom Whiteley, 22 Phil Cokanasiga, 23 Mike Brown
Referee: Pierre Bourset (France)
Assistant referee: Jeremy Rosier (France), Kevin Braley (France)
TMO: Denis Grenouillet (France)
read more: Bordeaux Begles vs. Saracens: Five points from the Champions Cup clash as France’s backline star lights up a place in the last 16
