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Champions Cup Saturday

Champions Cup Saturday

Leinster welcome Bath to the Aviva and Munster travel to play Top14 champions Castres

Patrick Madden Sat, Dec 15
 
LIVE: Champions Cup Saturday

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  • Good afternoon!

    Welcome to our coverage of Leinster's Champions Cup clash with Bath at the Aviva Stadium  (kick-off 5.30pm) and Munster's Champions Cup clash away to Castres (also 5.30pm).

    This evening both provinces have the opportunity to put themselves on the brink of a place in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.

    Leinster were made to graft for their 17-10 win over Bath at The Rec last weekend, Jordan Larmour's breakaway try proving the difference. Tonight the defending champions must get to grips with Sam Underhill and the tempestuous Dublin weather as they bid to put further daylight between themselves and English Premiership opposition in Pool One.

    Munster meanwhile comfortably put Castres away last weekend, winning 30-5 in a fixture memorable for the scoreline and not much else. Brutal retribution could be on the way in the home of the Top14 champions - but victory would put Johann van Graan's side firmly in the driving seat in Pool Two.

    Due to the way the fixtures have been carved up between the English and French TV companies, this will be the first time in 24 European seasons - and 331 fixtures - that both Leinster and Munster will be playing simultaneously.

    So we will be bringing you updates from both - focussing on the Aviva as Storm Deirdre wreaks havoc, as well as keeping you in the loop with goings on in France.  

    Here's to a hectic evening.

    Come on!!!

  • Team news - Leinster v Bath:

    Leinster: Jordan Larmour; Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Rory O’Loughlin, James Lowe; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, James Ryan, Dan Leavy, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan. Replacements: James Tracy, Ed Byrne, Andrew Porter, Ross Molony, Rhys Ruddock, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Noel Reid.

    Bath: Ruaridh McConnochie; Semesa Rokoduguni, Jackson Willison, Jamie Roberts, Cooper Vuna; James Wilson, Will Chudley; Jacques van Rooyen, Tom Dunn, Henry Thomas, Dave Attwood, Charlie Ewels (capt), Tom Ellis, Sam Underhill, Francois Louw. Replacements: Jack Walker, Nathan Catt, Max Lahiff, Elliott Stooke, Matt Garvey, Kahn Fotuali’i, Alex Davies, Darren Atkins.

    Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)

  • Team news - Castres v Munster:

    Castres: S Spedding; M Laveau, T Combezou, F Vialelle, T Paris; B Urdapilleta, R Kockott; P Fa’anunu, K Firmin, M Clerc; T Lasselle, L Jacquet; Y Caballero, M Babillot (capt), M Vaipulu. Replacements: M A Railler, A Tichit, W Hounkpatin, C Samson, K Gimeno, R Ebherson, A Batille, L Radosavljevic.

    Munster: M Haley; A Conway, S Arnold, R Scannell, K Earls; J Carbery, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, N Scannell, J Ryan; T Beirne, B Holland; P O’Mahony (capt), C Cloete, CJ Stander. Replacements: K O’Byrne, J Loughman, S Archer, F Wycherley, A Botha, A Mathewson, JJ Hanrahan, J Taute.

    Referee: W Barnes (England)

  • Gerry Thornley has explained why both matches involving the provinces are clashing tonight, you can read that HERE.
  • It's weather for ducks today, but Leinster confirmed earlier on that tonight's fixture is definitely going ahead as planned despite Deirdre's best efforts.  
  • 30 mins until kick-off(s)!

  • A bit of pre-match reading?

    You can read Gerry Thornley's preview of today's clash in Dublin HERE, while you can read his feature on Leinster's happy relationship with the Aviva Stadium HERE.

    And you can read John O'Sullivan's Munster preview HERE, with Gavin Cummiskey on Johann van Graan's pursuit of perfection available HERE.

  • In Leinster's Pool One Toulouse have just beaten Wasps 42-27. They're now seven points clear on 17 points - over to the champions.
  • Castres performance at Thomond Park last weekend was pretty miserable, and it's hard not to envisage the French champions being markedly improved this week. However, you get the feeling Munster still have gears to find, and it will be fascinating to see how the Conor Murray-Joey Carbery axis gets on today - their first appearance together in provincial red.
  • Leinster meanwhile were dragged into an armwrestle in Bath, and for all the province's backrow riches they were taught a lesson in pilfering by the outstanding Underhill and Francois Louw. The visitors retain that duo, while Jack Conan should provide a bit more ballast for the hosts. Rob Kearney is a big miss for Leinster, however. He is replaced by Adam Byrne, with Larmour switching to 15.
  • The rain looks to have abated slightly in Dublin, we'll see how long that lasts. It looks a but dryier at the Stade Pierre Fabre, but definitely woolly hat weather.
  • All four sets of players are in their respective tunnels.
  • Actually, it's now lashing in France. Munster weather.
  • There will be a minute's silence/applause at both grounds for Nicolas Chauvin, the 19-year-old Stade Francais player who died this week after injuring his neck in a tackle.
  • Joey Carbery gets Munster underway in France!
  • And James Wilson gets us underway at the Aviva!

  • 1 min: Leinster field the kick-off and McGrath box-kicks down the right. Bath secure it on halfway and return the kick - Adam Byrne dancing back at the visitors before Louw picks up where he left off last week and earns his side a penalty.

    Wilson will go for goal from in front of the sticks - Bath have the lead.

    3 MIN: LEINSTER 0 BATH 3

  • Munster with an early chance - Carbery is over the placed ball just inside the Castres half. Great strike from the Munster 10, and they take an early lead.

    4 MIN: CASTRES 0 MUNSTER 3

  • 5 min: Leavy gives Louw a taste of his own medicine with a good turn over on the right. Good shunt from the Leinster scrum and Conan picks and goes. Play is then stopped after a clash of heads between Healy and Underhill. Leinster 0 Bath 3.

  • 7 min: Already far more intent from Castres with the ball in hand and they move it well inside the Munster 22. Their pack was destroyed last week but they monster a Munster scrum out on the right. Castres 0 Munster 3.
  • TRY LEINSTER!!!!!!

  • Excellent move from Leinster, started by a good crossfield kick from Sexton to Lowe. The hosts get quick ball, lovely hands from Furling and Conan bursts the tackle of Roberts, his momentum and the wet turf taking him over the line. Sexton converts from wide on the left.

    8 MIN: LEINSTER 7 BATH 3

  • In France Castres 10 Urdapilleta misses goal after the scrum penalty out on the right. He gets another bite at the cherry shortly later, though, and splits the posts with an easier effort.

    11 MIN: CASTRES 3 MUNSTER 3

  • 11 min: It's a greasy pill in Dublin and there's been a number of handling errors from the hosts. There's a big roar around the Aviva as Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell are shown on the big screen. Leinster 7 Bath 3.
  • TRY LENISTER!!!!!!!

  • What a score!!! Leinster's scrum on halfway is a big one and they win a free-kick against the head. It's tapped quickly and Ryan makes a booming carry up the middle. Quick ball and a wrap around between Sexton and Ringrose sees Larmour released. He dances into the 22 and offloads cutely for O'Loughlin to cross. Stunning, ruthless.


    Sexton converts.


    14 MIN: LEINSTER 14 BATH 3

  • 15 min: CJ Stander makes a great carry of his own over in France, breaking the Castres line and carrying deep into the opposition half. Munster are awarded a scrum and they are force the penalty, as steams whips up into the air off both packs.  

    Carbery will go for goal - it's just outside the Castres 10-metre and to the right of the sticks. His effort just tails wide.

    17 MIN: CASTRES 3 MUNSTER 3

  • 17 min: Leinster are awarded a scrum penalty on their 22 and Sexton finds touch - but the lineout is pinched by Bath. The breakdown is ferocious again but Cullen's side seem to have more control this week. Leinster 14 Bath 3.
  • John Rogers I'm a proud Connacht man (prouder still after watching a young side win well in France last night) from an Ulster mum (great night for them in Belfast last night). Today I'm rooting for the two smaller provinces and hoping for another Irish sweep.

  • 20 min: Another Munster penalty this time out on the left. Carbery lines it up and makes no mistake this time, splitting the posts with a lovely strike.

    20 MIN: CASTRES 3 MUNSTER 6

  • TRY BATH!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Neat play from the visitors. Underhill makes a bullocking carry and Wilson then breaks the line from the next phase. He offloads to van Rooyen and the cavalry arrive, Louw worming over from close range.

    Wilson knocks over the conversion.

    21 MIN: LEINSTER 14 BATH 10

  • 23 min: Munster defending grimly in France, Castres hooker Firmin bursting through and being held up just short. They're camped on the five-metre - a score looks inevitable but Munster somehow hold them up.  

  • TRY CASTRES!!!!!!

  • Referee Barnes checks with the TMO after Munster look to have held the ball up after great work by Beirne - but he awards the home side the score under the sticks. Looks like it was the hooker, Firmin.  Urdapilleta knocks over a simple conversion.

    25 MIN: CASTRES 10 MUNSTER 6

  • TRY LEINSTER!!!!!!!

  • A brilliant opportunistic score from Lowe. Leinster are in the ascendancy inside the Bath 22 and are awarded a penalty. Everyone on the pitch falls asleep apart from the giant Kiwi winger, who collects the ball, takes a quick tap and muscles his way over the line.

    Sexton converts.

    27 MIN: LEINSTER 21 BATH 10

  • 27 min: Scott Spedding goes for goal with a long-range penalty which just fades under the bar.

    28 MIN: CASTRES 10 MUNSTER 6

  • 30 MIN: LEINSTER 21 BATH 10

    30 MIN: CASTRES 10 MUNSTER 6

  • 31 min: It's a brutal forward battle in Castres - Dave Kilcoyne gettin the plaudits this time as the Munster pack earn a scrum penalty on their own 10. Carbery finds a good touch and the visitors have a decent attacking platform - but Niall Scannell's throw isn't straight. Castres 10 Munster 6.

     

  • 34 min: Sustained period of possession for Bath around halfway, but Leinster's linespeed is good. They build up beyond 10 phases but then Leinster pinch the ball and nearly score a stunner. Conan intercepts and finds Sexton, who finds Cronin and takes the ball back before kicking in behind for Byrne to chase - it dribbles agonisingly out for a Bath lineout on the five-metre.

    35 MIN: LEINSTER 21 BATH 10

  • 37 min: Munster attack down the left through Earlus, his chip ahead is turned into touch by a Castres player. Good attacking lineout for Munster on the French 22 but they waste the set-piece.

    38 MIN: CASTRES 10 MUNSTER 6

  • 37 min: Fine run from deep from Larmour, dancing past two before looking to move it left where Leinster run out of room. They have a five-metre scrum, however, from which they earn a penalty. . .
  • TRY LEINSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • There's the bonus point. Leinster opt for the lineout and set the maul, and are quickly awarded a penalty advantage. Luke McGrath recycles it to Sexton who drills a perfect crossfield kick for the leaping Byrne to pluck and touch down.

    Sexton with another fine conversion. He is running the show.

    40 MIN: LEINSTER 28 BATH 10

  • 41 min: Munster are on the front foot in Castres. They have the ball on the left of the 22 and are awarded a penalty. Murray taps quickly and finds Rory Scannell on the shoulder and he bombs up to the five-metre. Red shirts flood in and Kockott is sent to the sin-bin! Munster tap quickly again and must score, but the Castres defence is brilliant and they are awarded the penalty!

    42 MIN: CASTRES 10 MUNSTER 6

  • HT: LEINSTER 28 BATH 10

    HT: CASTRES 10 MUNSTER 6

  • The rain is back in Dublin. . .
  • And we're back underway!!!

  • 41 min: Underhill wins an early penalty for Bath as he latches on over the top. Wilson finds a touch up the left and the visitors get quick ball off the top. Early platform for Bath deep inside the Leinster 22 but there's a loose pass and Leinster can fly hack it deep upfield. Good work from McConnochie to secure possession.  

    43 MIN: LEINSTER 28 BATH 10

  • Munster and Castres are back underway in France!
  • 44 min: Leinster force a penalty deep inside the Bath 22 and opt for touch. they secure it off the top and build the phases, Ryan with another big carry. Leinster are inside the five and hammering down the door in search of a fifth. . .
  • TRY LEINSTER!!!!!!

  • Leinster's pressure tells and it's Leavy who squeezes his way over with Underhill unable to hold him up.

    Sexton converts.

    46 MIN: LEINSTER 35 BATH 10

  • 45 min: There's been no score in Castres since the break - and it hasn't been particularly pretty. Stander roars as the visiting pack win another scrum penalty on the Castres 10-metere, bang in front of the sticks.  

    Carbery lines it up but snatches at his kick and pulls it wide on the left. Needs to take his chances on a night like this.

    47 MIN: CASTRES 10 MUNSTER 6

  • 48 min: After that let-off Castres are then indisciplined over the top and give away a penalty on halfway. Carbey finds touch but Munster then lose their lineout ball, Caballero stealing ahead of Holland.

    49 MIN: CASTRES 10 MUNSTER 6

  • 49 min: Castres give away another penalty - Carbey goes into the corner again.

    The Munster maul is pulled down, illegally, giving the visitors another penalty on the five-metre. Carbery will go for goal from the 22, just to the left of the sticks. This time he makes no mistake.

    50 MIN: CASTRES 10 MUNSTER 9

  • TRY BATH!!!!!

  • A rare sustained spell of pressure from the visitors and Underhill - who's been impressive again - gets the ball down under a heap of bodies.

    Wilson misses the conversion.

    54 MIN: LEINSTER 35 BATH 15

  • 55 min: Sexton sends up a high kick and it bounces back for Leinster, Ringrose makes an electric break down the right but is just dragged into touch.

    56 MIN: LEINSTER 35 BATH 15

  • 55 min: Castres have a lineout inside the Munster 22 - new man Botha makes a great steal before O'Mahony tries to clear up the right with a kick. Castres have another lineout and this time secure the ball. They set the maul and Niall Scannell darts in from the side - that's one infringement too many for Barnes who shows him a yellow.

    Urdapilleta will go for goal from the left - he restores Castres' lead to four points. A huge period coming up now.

    58 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 9

  • 60 min: Kockott is penalised for entering a ruck on halfway, tackling Murray off the ball. The Ireland scrumhalf will go for goal from just inside the Castres half - pushes it just wide.  

    60 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 9

  • 60 MIN: LEINSTER 35 BATH 15

    60 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 9

  • 62 min: Scrum on the Castres 10-metre and Munster are awarded a free-kick. Stander taps and carries - the home defence are not back 10 but get away with it. Munster need to get some territory.

    63 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 9

  • 64 min: Leinster meanwhile are having no issues with territory - the game is being played on the Bath 22. Sexton stitches a penalty tight into the corner and Tracy hits Conan at the front of the lineout. Gibson-Park tries to grubber through for Larmour but overcooks his kick.

    66 MIN: ;EINSTER 35 BATH 15

  • 65 min: Munster grind their way up to the Castres 22 and are awarded a penalty after an infringement by Jacquet, crawling in front of the ball as Murray is about to pick it.

    The penalty is right in front of the posts - Carbery reduces the deficit to a point.

    66 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • TRY LEINSTER!!!!!

  • Leinster's sixth score is a Kiwi special, Lowe breaks one tackle and engineers a stunning offload inside to Gibson-Park, who scoots clear to score.  

    Ross Byrne converts.

    69 MIN: LEINSTER 42 BATH 15

  • 70 MIN: LEINSTER 42 BATH 15

    68 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • TRY MUNSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • DISALLOWED TRY MUNSTER!!!!!!!!

    That is special from Conway. Munster move it right and he kicks ahead, before haring after the ball, scooping it up on the ground and reaching to score.

    Barnes is going to check with the TMO - replays show Conway just knocked the ball forward before grounding it. The TMO is also looking at a tackle off the ball on O'Mahony by replacement hooker Railler - he is sent to the bin. He hit the Ireland flanker late and with no arms, flipping him into the air.

    70 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • Carbery will go for goal with a clutch penalty from out on the right and on the 10-metre. This is huge, but he can't pull it back inside.


    71 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • 75 MIN: LEINSTER 42 BATH 15

    72 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • 73 min: Munster on the ball inside their own half, building the phases and looking for the break against the 14-men of the French. Good carry from Haley on the right and the momentum is building. They probe the blindside but Conway's ball to Murray is a yard forward and he gets called back by Barnes as he was about to turn the gas on.

    73 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • 74 min: Castres with a huge scrum to defend inside their 22. Murray tries a bit too hard to put the pressure on and is pinged for offside.

    74 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • 80 min: Back in Dublin Bath are on the ball on the Leinster 10 with the clock approaching red. A fine night's work for the defending champions.

    80 MIN: LEINSTER 42 BATH 15

  • 75 min: Castres kick for a lineout and retain the ball. They keep it tight and grind forward but they concede a free-kick for not using it. Good work by Niall Scannell and Holland.

    75 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • FT: LEINSTER 42 BATH 15

  • 76 min: That could be pivotal - Castres put a huge shunt on and Munster concede a scrum penalty. The home back celebrate like they've won the Champions Cup. Spedding then finds a brilliant touch deep inside the Munster 22.

    77 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • 78 min: Castres sticking it up the jumper and keeping it in the tight. Excellent steal from Beirne on the edge of the 22 - the ball is sent for touch on halfway. Last chance.

    79 MIN: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12

  • 79 min: Munster lose the lineout. Castres have the ball on halfway. . .

  • FT: CASTRES 13 MUNSTER 12
  • The French champions have dug that out against Munster, who will be left to rue Carbery's misses off the tee. The bonus point means the van Graan's side remain top of Pool Two by three points. All four sides can still qualify after Exeter's win over Gloucester yesterday.

  • Right, thanks for joining this evening.

    Both Leinster and Munster's groups are fascinatingly poised heading into the new year.

    See you in January!