Leinster win at Bayonne in Champions Cup

PA reporters

Leinster battled to a 22-13 win at Bayonne which secured home advantage in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup.

Bayonne – who had lost their opening three games, including to both Leicester and Harlequins – took an early lead at Stade Jean Dauger through a breakaway try from Sireli Maqala in the 14th minute before Harry Byrne’s penalty got Leinster, already qualified from Pool 3, on the board.

After Joshua Kenny just failed to take the ball and go over in the corner, a long-range penalty from Joris Segonds put the French side further ahead. Thomas Clarkson then saw his 33rd-minute try disallowed for a double movement as Bayonne went into half-time 10-3 in front.

Bayonne’s Herschel Jantjies was shown a yellow card in the 49th minute for a deliberate knock on. Leinster made the most of their advantage when Dan Sheehan slid over in the 56th minute and Byrne nailed the conversion to bring the visitors level at 10-10.

Segonds kicked another penalty on the hour to swiftly restore Bayonne’s lead, which looked to have been wiped out when Jimmy O’Brien charged onto a kick from Sam Prendergast and went down in the corner – only for his try to be ruled out by the TMO for failing to ground the ball as he was tackled over the line.

Leinster produced a strong finish as Prendergast latched onto Byrne’s chipped pass under the posts and then Max Deegan crossed in the corner to make sure of another hard-earned win to maintain their 100 per cent record at the top of the group.