Leinster destroy Wasps in clash of champions
Philipe Contepomi scored 16 points
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Saturday, 18, Oct 2008 09:39
A rampant Leinster thumped Guinness Premiership champions Wasps 41-11 to go top of Pool 2 of the Heineken Cup.
Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll scored two tries in the first-half before going off injured, as Leinster led by a slender margin of 15-11. Wasps would have been satisfied with their first-half effort at the Royal Dublin Showground, but they were completely torn apart in the second-half.
Leinster scored four un-answered tries through Luke Fitzgerald, Felipe Contepomi, Rocky Elsom and Rob Kearney as they collected their second bonus point of the competition after their win over Edinburgh last week.
A clash between the current Magners League and Guinness Premeirship champions got off to the perfect start as Leinster scored a wonderful try. Contempomi put in a grubber kick which was chased down by Kearney, who then cleverly kicked the ball inside to O'Driscoll who crashed over for the try.
Danny Cipriani converted a penalty to put Wasps on the scoreboard, but the world class O'Driscoll then produced another moment of brilliance to score his second try. The centre chipped the ball behind the Wasps defence, before he chased it down and volleyed it towards the try-line and went on to grab hold of the ball and score.
Contempomi extended Leinster's lead with a penalty. But Wasps then scored their own contender for try of the match. Cipriani broke through the Leinster defence from his own 22 and despite the move breaking down close to the try-line, Cipriani got hold of the ball again and fired the pass to Jeremy Staunton who crossed over.
With O'Driscoll having to go off injured at half-time, Wasps would have fancied their chances of winning the match, but they were in for a huge shock.
Leinster were in scintillating form in the second-half and scored four tries, including a charge-down try from Contepomi, who had 16 points to his name by the end of the game.