Brilliant Leinster book knockout place

Leinster have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup after they destroyed 14-man Montpellier by 57-3 at the RDS.

On a freezing cold night, the three-time European champions produced a magnificent display to sweep their French opponents aside and ensure they have won Pool 4 with a thumping bonus-point victory.

Leo Cullen's men crossed the line for eight tries as they put an under-par and, by the end of the 80 minutes, disheartened top 14 outfit to the sword.

Montpellier's president had sounded a rallying cry pre-match, insisting this was his side's biggest match of the campaign, with a win seeing them remain firmly in the hunt for qualification to the last eight.

However, despite almost grabbing the first try in the opening minutes, the visitors were very much second best with the 27th-minute dismissal of Francois Steyn for a high, late tackle on Jonathan Sexton making their task an almost impossible one.

By that stage Leinster had taken control of the game, some lovely handling and sharp moves seeing Isa Nacewa and Jack Conan touch down.

A Steyn penalty on 21 minutes had split the first two tries but with Leinster leading 14-3 at the time of Steyn's justified red card, there was probably only going to be one winner.

A Nacewa penalty and a stunning try from Adam Byrne saw the home side take a 24-3 advantage at the break.

Montpellier briefly rallied after the restart but good defensive work from Sexton denied them a try which may have got them back into the contest and once Conan surged over the line for his second try of the night, the writing was on the wall for the French side.

The white flag was effectively waved at that stage and Leinster were clinical and merciless in how they continued to pile points onto the scoreboard, with man-of-the-match Conan completing his hat-trick while Luke McGrath, Rob Kearney and Garry Ringrose all crossed the line for a try apiece.

Nacewa knocked over one conversion to add to his try and a penalty, Sexton was successful with three two-pointers while Ross Byrne sent over three after coming off the bench to replace Sexton.

Leinster's focus now switches to next week's trip to Castres for their final group game knowing a win will clinch a crucial home draw in the quarter-finals.

Whether the missing Sean O'Brien will return in place of the outstanding Conan is a question which will be difficult for Cullen to decide in the coming days but the strength in depth of Leinster highlights them as potentially in a position to clinch a record-equalling fourth European crown.

Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie

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