Nacewa magic wins it for Leinster

Leinster set up a Heineken Cup semi-final against Biarritz or Toulouse after defeating Leicester 17-10 at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Leinster cooked up a Heineken Cup semi-final against either Biarritz or Toulouse after defeating Leicester 17-10 at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

In a bruising encounter, it was one moment of brilliance from Isa Nacewa that ultimately did for the Tigers, who will be left wondering 'what if'.

'What if' Alesana Tuilagi had stayed in the field of play when diving over on the left, 'what if' they hadn't bought one of Nacewa's numerous dummies. But in truth their regrets would be unfounded as Leinster deserved their victory.

The 2009 tournament winners were a cut above in most areas, particularly the front-row where Mike Ross, Cian Healy and hooker Richardt Strauss dominated their opposite numbers all evening.

Leinster will now await the result from Sunday's quarter-final between Biarritz and defending champions Toulouse – they will fear no one.

Why? Joe Schmidt's side seem to have very few, if any, weak links in their XV. The aforementioned front-row can stick it to anyone, Leo Cullen and Nathan Hines have experience to burn while the back-row of Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien and a recovering Shane Jennings is well-balanced with power, pace and know-how.

Outside them they have the string-pulling abilities of Eoin Reddan and Jonathan Sexton and a familiar Irish duo in midfield. But it is at the back that their real cutting edge is found.

Nacewa hit the line superbly in Dublin and his try will live long in the memory of Leinster fans. With the ball in two hands and swerving in and out, the former Blue shredded Leicester from about 30 metres out. It was a magical try that came just after Tuilagi's foray.

Sexton had got Leinster on the board on four minutes but it could have been much more had outside centre Brian O'Driscoll sent the ball out wide during an early attack.

Toby Flood, who did not enjoy the best of games alongside Ben Youngs, then brought Tigers level almost immediately. However, Leicester were struggling to apply pressure.

Sexton knocked over two further three-pointers as the sides went in at a 9-3 scoreline.

Then came the moment that proved that rugby is a game of inches. Tuilagi bounced off O'Driscoll on the left wing and then set off for the corner. But a wonderful covering tackle from O'Brien saved the day for Leinster, forcing the Samoan wing's mid drift into touch. It was a tough call for Welsh Television Match Official Derek Bevan.

Cue the moment of the match from Nacewa, who seemed to have the Leicester defenders on a string as he ghosted his way to the whitewash. It was a 14-3 lead for Cullen and co.

Sexton did succeed with a penalty shot five minutes from the end that looked to have sealed matters but when hooker Rob Hawkins crossed, Leicester were given hope. It was false.

Man-of-the-match: It was a toss-up between Sean O'Brien and Richardt Strauss and we have gone with the hooker. The former Cheetah showed offloading skills, power in contact and good pace throughout. A mention too for improving prop Mike Ross.

The scorers:

For Leinster:
Try: Nacewa
Pen: Sexton 4

For Leicester:
Try: Hawkins
Con: Flood
Pen: Flood

Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Stan Wright, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Dominic Ryan, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Fergus McFadden.

Leicester: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Craig Newby (capt), 6 Tom Croft, 5 Steve Mafi, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Dan Cole, 2 George Chuter, 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Julian White, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Ed Slater, 20 Thomas Waldrom, 21 James Grindal, 22 Jeremy Staunton, 23 Matt Smith.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: James Jones (Wales), Jonathan Mason (Wales)
Television match official: Derek Bevan (Wales)

By Adam Kyriacou