Zebre vs Leinster

2022 - 9 - 17

Post cover — Image courtesy of "EPCRugby.com"

Leinster survive Zebre comeback (EPCRugby.com)

Leinster Rugby, last season's Heineken Champions Cup runners-up, began their United Rugby Championship season with a 33-29 win at Zebre Parma on Saturday.

Leinster, who kick off their Heineken Champions Cup campaign at Racing 92 in December, dotted down four times in the first half, Rhys Ruddock crossing for a quickfire double in addition to scores from Luke McGrath and Jason Jenkins. The Irish province were leading by 18 points at the break but came under severe pressure during the second period, with EPCR Challenge Cup side Zebre eventually ending the game with two losing bonus points. Leinster Rugby, last season’s Heineken Champions Cup runners-up, began their United Rugby Championship season with a 33-29 win at Zebre Parma on Saturday.

Forwards bail Leinster out of jail as backline woes nearly hand ... (The Irish Times)

There is a disconnect that comes with playing in the first match of the season, but Leo Cullen and his coaches should be concerned with several aspects of the ...

Zebre shrugged off the setback and responded with a fifth try, this time from Franco Smith Jnr, again facilitated by some rank Leinster defending. From a Leinster perspective it was very poor defending once again in the wide channels. Unfortunately for Zebre, ill-discipline allowed the visitors a set piece platform five metres from the line; the upshot was a try from Jenkins on debut. Max Deegan powered off the base and a handful of phases later, Luke McGrath burrowed over for his 47th try in Leinster colours. The only downside for the home team was the number of penalties conceded, which eventually drew a warning from referee Ben Blain. On the flip side, Leinster’s defence in midfield and the back three was worryingly porous, players guilty of ball watching and poor technique in the tackle.

Match Report: Zebre Parma 29 Leinster Rugby 33 - Leinster Rugby (Leinster Rugby)

Leinster Rugby picked up a 33-29 win away to Zebre Parma on the opening day of the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship season.

The set-piece was proving Leinster best avenue forward. Zebre were struggling with the maul. The presence of Lucchin on the ball created a doubt for Franco Smith to power between defenders for Eden’s conversion to make it 33-29 in the 69th minute. From a lineout, Eden flashed a pass right-to-left for Simone Gesi to just about squeeze in at the left corner for 28-15 in the 48th minute. An accurate ball by Kelleher to Jason Jenkins at the rear of the lineout was taken at full tilt by Ruddock for a well-worked try, converted by Byrne in the 21st minute. Luke McGrath spotted a hole on the fringe of a ruck for the first try, converted by Byrne in the sixth minute.

Leinster escape with victory despite Zebre comeback (RTE.ie)

Leinster were left clinging on for a 33-29 United Rugby Championship victory over Zebre Parma in Italy after last season's bottom side threatened to pull ...

The conversion was missed but Zebre quickly added a second try when Tiff Eden’s kick to the wing was collected by Bruno, who then chased down his own chip forward to score. Ruddock burrowed his way over as Leinster quickly made the extra man count – Byrne again splitting the posts – but out of nowhere Zebre produced a try of real quality. Simone Gesi and MJ Pelser crossed early in the second period as the deficit was reduced to 28-22 and the margin was down to four after Zebre responded to Dave Kearney’s unconverted try with a Franco Smith touchdown.

Leinster survive a scare as Zebre push them all the way in 10-try ... (The42)

Luke McGrath touched down in the opening minutes before a clever lineout move saw Player of the Match Rhys Ruddock score. The back row added another soon after ...

Leinster looked to their bench for assistance and it was replacement Ciaran Frawley’s pass that freed Dave Kearney to dot down in the corner. Minutes later, Pierre Bruno collected a kick and scored a try to delight the crowd in Parma. Their bonus point fourth try came with MJ Pelser crashing past Jamie Osborne and touching down under the posts. With 56 minutes on the clock, Zebre once again exploited Leinster out wide. In what was a terrific URC first-round tie, Zebre spent the final minutes camped in the away outfit’s 22 but were unable to secure their sixth try. Luke McGrath touched down in the opening minutes before a clever lineout move saw Player of the Match Rhys Ruddock score.

Leinster left clinging on for bonus point win over Zebre in ... (Independent.ie)

Leinster looked like they were going to ease their way to an opening round win in Parma when they opened up a 21-0 lead after just 26 minutes but in the end ...

“A great first half, really put ourselves in a commanding position but at the start of the second half we were probably just a little bit loose. Leinster made them pay for their indiscipline. That got the small Italian crowd on their feet and they had more to cheer three minutes later when a crosskick from Eden was taken by Bruno and he chipped over Max O’Reilly to score in the right corner. “So, we have plenty to work but as you would expect early season. Leinster were well on their way to victory when they turned around leading by 28-10 in the Italian sunshine, but once Zebre got their act together it was a different story and they won the second-half 19-5 and that will be a source of worry to the former champions who are still trying to get last season’s home semi-final loss to the Bulls out of their system. Cullen’s men had that bonus point in the bag by the interval and should have pushed on from there for an emphatic win but in the end their poor defence left them on the ropes as they tried to prevent a first loss in 17 matches against the Parma side.

Leinster survive Zebre comeback to win in Italy (BBC Sport)

Leinster survive a comeback by opponents Zebre to prevail 33-29 in their opening United Rugby Championship game of the new season.

Ruddock burrowed his way over as Leinster quickly made the extra man count - Byrne again splitting the posts - but out of nowhere Zebre produced a try of real quality. Simone Gesi and MJ Pelser crossed early in the second period as the deficit was reduced to 28-22 and the margin was down to four after Zebre responded to Dave Kearney's unconverted try with a Franco Smith touchdown. Leinster survived a strong comeback from opponents Zebre to prevail 33-29 in their opening United Rugby Championship game of the new season.