Cardiff v Leinster: Five takeaways as Welsh region’s ‘far from pretty’ win cements title chances while Andy Farrell faces ‘nervy wait’ on injured man
Cardiff players celebrating a win with an inset of Harry Byrne
Following Cardiff’s 8-7 win over Leinster at the Cardiff Arms Park, here are our five key takeaways from the United Rugby Championship (URC) round 12 clash.
The top line
Cardiff put themselves back in the URC title picture with a gutsy win over Leinster.
The Welsh side, who sat sixth in the table ahead of the match, were the better of the two teams for the majority of the game, getting the better of the conditions early on. Despite their dominance, only a Callum Sheedy penalty on 19 minutes made a dent in the scoreboard across the first-half, but Cardiff took a deserved lead into half-time.
That 3-0 lead became 8-0 just before the hour-mark, too, with Aled Davies finishing off a superb breakaway. Sheedy’s conversion was unsuccessful.
Missing points on a night like this was always going to feel big, and it nearly came back to haunt the hosts after Luke McGrath added his name to the scoresheet after 68 minutes, with the Perpignan-bound back finishing off a strong breakaway effort from Andrew Osborne. Charlie Tector’s conversion split the uprights, making it 8-7 heading into the final 10 minutes.
But, Cardiff again gained the ascendancy in those closing exchanges, and while no further points came on the scoreboard, they held on to claim a strong win over the reigning champions.
Playing the conditions
We might be nearing spring, but this was very much mid-winter conditions in Cardiff, and it was always going to come down to which side managed them best.
The trends did become clear pretty early on. Cardiff turned to more old-school winter rugby, playing tight around the rucks and kicking for corners when the chance presented itself, while Leinster turned to their set-piece dominance to get their own foothold in the game.
But, there could be an argument that neither side fully got to grips with them in the opening exchanges. There were a combined 11 handling errors in the opening 20 minutes alone, and a total of 30 come the full-time whistle, which eventually cost both sides points. Despite the teams threatening the line, only three points were scored in the first-half and only 12 followed after the break too.
If this match was played in better conditions, it could have been oh so different, but this was a game even the purists might have found hard to watch.
Serious title contenders?
While this was far from pretty, it was a win that cements Cardiff’s status as possible title contenders, with the Welsh region up to third in the table as a result.
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It’s just been a really solid season for the Capital side, which is only further emphasised by the ongoing Civil War in Welsh rugby. Bonus-points have been hard to come by this season, but their record of eight wins from 12 games already sees them best last seasons total, and they can start to dream of a play-off run as a result.
But, that doesn’t feel like the ceiling for this side. Yes, Leinster were without a number of key men, but they were good value for the win tonight, and have been good value for their other seven wins as well.
There’s just a lot to like about the way they play. They box very cleverly up front, both in the scrum and around the loose, but back that up with a lick of flair as well. They also have some key men in pretty good form, with Sheedy, Cameron Winnett, Mason Grady all stepping up and delivering, while Josh McNally and Dan Thomas continue to add class to their efforts in the tight.
Are they dark horses?
Rieko Ioane debate
This will continue to linger, but should Rieko Ioane move back to the wing?
Leinster got some serious change in the wide channels tonight, but were unable to make the most of their breaks as Cardiff’s scramble defence caught up with them. You have to think Ioane would have done some damage there.
This isn’t a criticism of his work in midfield, if anything this was one of his stronger outings for Leinster at 13 as he made things happen in trying conditions and notched 34 metres from nine carries, but just imagine the sort of effect he could have out wide.
Ioane’s threat has always come from his speed and finishing ability. It’s why he usurped Julian Savea into the 11 shirt back in 2017. It’s why he became a huge threat for the All Blacks in the nine years since. It’s why he’s considered one of the most exciting talents in the game.
But, keeping him at centre just doesn’t allow him to use that to its fullest. Yes, it’s something he wants to do, and he is a top-quality midfielder, but you just want to see him explode away from defenders ball-in-hand and gallop in space.
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Leo Cullen now faces a big decision.
Ireland injury concerns
This round of the URC is always rife with risk, and Ireland have paid a heavy price with Harry Byrne coming off after just three minutes.
This will come as incredibly unwelcome news to Andy Farrell, even if he’s yet to feature in the Six Nations thus far. Ireland’s injury issues ahead of the Championship are already well-documented, but this week lost James Lowe for the rest of the Championship with a groin issue, while back-five forward Cormac Izuchukwu has also emerged as a doubt as well, so this blow will leave Farrell with a nervy wait.
Byrne wasn’t the only Leinsterman to pick up a knock, with Ireland international Gus McCarthy also coming off with a head knock, and even though he missed out on the initial training squad for this year’s Championship, only compounds Farrell’s injury woes.
READ MORE: URC round 12: Predictions, teams, kick-off times, how to watch and referee appointments