A narrow win for Leinster

Glasgow 0 Leinster 6

A narrow win for Leinster

Glasgow 0 Leinster 6

A penalty in each half from Ian Madigan handed European champions Leinster a narrow win over hosts Glasgow in the RaboDirect PRO12.

The Irish outfit have been heavily hit by call-ups for the autumn internationals but were nevertheless able to register a low-scoring victory over the Warriors, who came into the game on a six-game winning streak.

Fly-half Madigan found the posts in the fifth minute and again in the 49th to claim the only points of the night.

Unlike his opposite number, Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend had the luxury of having the majority of his players available following previous international withdrawals.

Only Henry Pyrgos made the trip to Aberdeen to play for Scotland against Tonga, whilst the Warriors were also missing Fijian Niko Matawalu.

The visitors were missing a sizeable number of their squad, by contrast, but could call on Sean O’Brien for a first appearance of the season at number eight

The visitors that took an early lead after just five minutes, Madigan converting a penalty with a swift kick from 40 yards to calm any nerves the depleted European champions may have had.

Ten minutes later Glasgow found themselves defending for their lives on their own try line during a spell of play in which Leinster went through the phases. The move failed to result in points, however, as a fumble by Madigan following a robust tackle by Josh Strauss drained the momentum out of the attack.

Leinster’s dominance caused only frustration for the Warriors, leading to Tom Ryder entering the sin-bin after a lack of discipline in the ruck after twenty-four minutes.

However, Madigan missed with the subsequent kick, ushering in a period where neither side managed to put together anything of real note.

Against expectation, the teams reached half-time without further addition to the score.

Despite pressure from Glasgow early in the second half it was Leinster who scored next as Madigan converted a routine penalty as rain started to fall eight minutes into the half.

With Warriors captain Chris Fusaro in the sin bin for preventing release of the ball, Glasgow still had the chance to cut the deficit with a Peter Horne penalty from the halfway line.

The chance, in increasingly difficult weather conditions as drizzle became downpour, was missed.

Just before the hour mark Horne had the chance to redeem himself but his second penalty attempt was a genuine miskick, failing to get above head height.

Substitute Scott Wight, who replaced Ruaridh Jackson at fly-half, had no luck when he lined up another penalty for the home side after 63 minutes and his fluffed attempt could not get Glasgow’s first points of the night.

Glasgow were to rue these missed penalty chances, and despite playing the remainder of the game in Leinster’s half, the European champions held on for the win.

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