Good afternoon rugby fans and welcome to our live match tracker as we follow the action from Leinster’s trip to Wasps and Connacht’s make-or-break clash with Enisei-STM in Galway.
Leinster’s interest in the Champions Cup has been over for some time but Leo Cullen’s men will be keen to continue their winning streak and end the pool stages on a high in Coventry.
In the Challenge Cup, Connacht are still alive and kicking but they know they must collect five points at the Sportsground this afternoon if they are to harbour hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals.
Kick-off at the Ricoh Arena is at 3.15pm with Connacht kicking-off 15 minutes earlier. Ryan Bailey here to guide you through the afternoon with Rory Keane in Coventry and John Fallon in place out west.
Let’s take a look at the teams for this afternoon’s games.
Leinster have made 11 changes from the side which defeated Bath last weekend with Johnny Sexton captaining the province for the first time, on what is his 100th start.
15. Rob Kearney
14. Zane Kirchner
13. Luke Fitzgerald
12. Noel Reid
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton (c)
9 . Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Marty Moore
4. Devin Toner
5. Rhys Ruddock
6. Dominic Ryan
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Richardt Strauss
17. Peter Dooley
18. Michael Bent
19. Ross Molony
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Isaac Boss
22. Cathal Marsh
23. Ben Te’o
Connacht are boosted by the return of Robbie Henshaw as the Ireland international comes back into the team for the first time since November.
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Danie Poolman
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Nathan White
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. James Connolly
8. Eoghan Masterson
Replacements:
16. Tom McCartney
17. Finlay Bealham
18. Rodney Ah You
19. George Naoupu
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Caolin Blade
22. Jack Carty
23. Rory Parata
Here’s how things stand in Pool 5 before the final round of games.
Just about set in Galway. Before we get underway, lets have a quick look at the current Pool 1 table.
Brive are in Newcastle this afternoon and we’ll keep you updated as that one unfolds.
It’s a big afternoon for Pat Lam and his side.
Kick-off! John Muldoon leads his troops out and we’re underway in Galway.
Our man Rory Keane reports from the Ricoh Arena in Coventry:
Leo Cullen’s maiden Champions Cup campaign comes to an end against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena this afternoon. It’s been a tough education for Leinster’s head coach but last weekend’s victory over Bath was a heartening and much-needed display, not to mention the performance of the six tournament debutants.
Cullen has made 11 changes for the clash in Coventry as the visitors look to gain revenge for the opening round demolition by Wasps at the RDS.
It’s a grey afternoon here in Coventry and rain doesn’t look too far away. This could be very much turn into a kicking duel between the two kickers. Sexton v Gopperth is just one of may fascinating sub-plots here. 15 minutes to kick-off. Should be a cracker.
Back in Galway, Connacht have made a fast start but are denied an early try by the referee’s whistle.
From the lineout, the hosts work it well inside and the space eventually opens up for Buckley to crash over but there was a forward pass in the build-up.
Still scoreless in Galway despite Connacht’s purposeful start. Patience could be the key for Lam’s men this afternoon.
Penalty! Connacht 3-0 Enisei-STM (AJ MacGinty)
The USA international opens the scoring with a penalty after 11 minutes.
Kick-off! Leinster, in their changed all-white kit, are underway in Coventry.
TRY! Wasps 0-5 Leinster (Zane Kirchner)
What a start from Leinster! Kirchner makes the initial break and the ball eventually comes back out to the right and the handling is brilliant to allow the winger to dot down in the corner.
TRY! Connacht 8-0 Enisei-STM (Tiernan O’Halloran)
Connacht’s patience is rewarded as they period of sustained pressure on the Enisei line eventually results in a try. MacGinty can’t add the extras.
MacGinty’s early penalty set Connacht on their way.
TRY! Wasps 7-5 Leinster (Jimmy Gopperth)
Wasps respond immediately and it’s the former Leinster man who puts the hosts into the lead for the first time this afternoon.
TRY! Connacht 20-0 Enisei-STM (Healy and Buckley)
Two tries in quick succession for Connacht and the western province have raced into a big lead.
TRY! Wasps 12-5 Leinster (Joe Launchbury)
Great response from the hosts and they’ve extended their advantage as Launchbury goes over in the corner. The referee asks the TMO for assistance but the officials eventually award the try. Gopperth’s conversion attempt comes back off the post.
Worrying news so close to the Six Nations with Sexton forced off with a head injury. The out-half was replaced by Cathal Marsh after six minutes.
TRY! Connacht 25-0 Enisei-STM (Danie Poolman)
That’s the bonus point signed and sealed before half-time. Henshaw the creator for Poolman who runs over for Connacht’s fourth.
And it’s half-time in Galway with Connacht in complete control.
Lorenzo Cittadini is shown a yellow card and Wasps are down to 14. Leinster beginning to knock on the door now with ten minutes until the break.
TRY! Wasps 12-10 Leinster (Eoin Reddan)
Leinster’s perseverance pays off as the scrum-half dives over to bring the visitors back into the contest. Brilliant from Dave Kearney in the build-up to keep the ball in play.
Penalty! Wasps 15-10 Leinster (Gopperth)
Wasps return to their full compliment and Gopperth extends their lead.
And that’s half-time in Coventry. 15-10 to Wasps.
TRY! Connacht 30-5 Enisei-STM (Henshaw)
Robbie Henshaw marks his return with a try straight after half-time but the visitors get themselves on the board with a score of their own shortly after.
TRY! Connacht 35-5 Enisei-STM (Tom McCartney)
Moment after coming on, McCartney adds a sixth try and Connacht are in cruise control.
Back underway in Coventry and Connacht have a 7th try! Matt Healy is over for his second of the day and Pat Lam’s side lead 40-5 after 61 minutes.
TRY! Wasps 25-10 Leinster (Elliot Daly)
Superb from the hosts. They work it brilliantly in midfield and Daly puts on the afterburners to speed home from 40 metres out.
PENALTY TRY! Wasps 32-10 Leinster
It’s turning into a rout now as Wasps are awarded a penalty try and they now have a bonus point. Leinster are all over the place defensively.
TRY! Connacht 47-5 Enisei-STM (Caolin Blade)
And Connacht seal the win with an eight try before the referee blows the final whistle.
Kieran Marmion named man of the match and Connacht have done all they can do.
TRY! Wasps 39-10 Leinster (Frank Halai)
Wasps are running riot and Leinster are all over the place. There is so much space for Frank Halai to run in and add more gloss to the scoreboard.
TRY! Wasps 46-10 Leinster (Piutau)
The rout continues and Leinster are being torn to shreds. 5 minutes remaining.
Full-time! Wasps score a seventh try for good measure to end Leinster’s miserable campaign in fitting fashion. 51-10 the final score.
