FEEL THE BYRNE
Ronan makes difference for Blues
LEINSTER took their time in finding a way around Scarlets, but Ross Byrne plotted a ruthless 12 minutes early in the second-half to see them to victory at the RDS. After a tight first-half, Ross Byrne constructed three of the four tries to arrive in that brilliant spell as his raking kicks to the wings continually sprung Scarlets tight defensive set-up. Joey Carbery was one of the beneficiaries of this tactic as he ran in two tries, while Luke Mcgrath’s firsthalf brace had given Leinster a 12-9 interval lead. Playing at full-back Carbery (inset) was solid under the high ball and dangerous in attack, while Mcgrath added to his reputation ahead of a week in Ireland camp. Cullen was delighted with his troops. “Ross’s recognition of where the space is and the relationship between Ross and the wingers is really coming on,” said Cullen. “Scarlets were getting a bit tight defensively, so kicking to Adam Byrne’s side of the field in the second-half got us a lot of really good rewards. “Adam looked dangerous in the wide spaces, but really good kicking from Ross. “Joey looked really comfortable. He’s just a constant threat, a second pair of hands as well in attack. “I thought the relationship worked really well. “He’s a very comfortable footballer. You can play him in most positions across the backline.” It was far from a routine opening 40 minutes for the league’s leaders though. Playing into a strong wind Leinster struggled to break down Scarlets, who themselves looked bright in attack, but still trailed by three at the interval. Mcgrath’s two tries were pivotal in a tricky half. His first a sharp break off the back of the scrum – his second after his own block down of Dan Jones’ clearance kick. “It was very much about wearing them down,” said Cullen. “We felt that they were starting to tire on half-time. “We get better field position, you’ve the wind at your back the guys carried with a real intent.” Armed with that breeze Leinster were awesome at times. After 48 minutes Ross Bryne picked out Fergus Mcfadden before Rhys Ruddock charged over. Three minutes later Carbery wrapped up the bonus point after Mcgrath was stopped short. Then in the 54th and 59th minutes Ross Byrne and Adam Byrne combined for carbon copy tries finished off by Carbery and Ed Byrne. Yet again Jamison Gibson-park was bright after his arrival and he ran in try number seven at the death.