Investec Champions Cup Pool 3
Leinster (12) 25
Tries: Kenny 2, Van der Flier, Henshaw Con: Prendergast Pen: Byrne
La Rochelle (7) 24
Tries: Niniashvili, West 2 Cons: Le Garrec 3 Pen: Le Garrec
Harry Byrne scored a match-winning penalty with the last kick of the game as Leinster moved closer to securing a home last-16 game in the Investec Champions Cup with a nail-biting victory over rivals La Rochelle at Aviva Stadium.
At the end of a ding-dong latest edition of one of Europe’s most compelling rivalries, replacement fly-half Byrne nailed his kick in the 83rd minute to put Leinster five points clear of the Stormers at the top of pool 3.
With three wins from three, the four-time champions are guaranteed to be in the top two when they travel to Bayonne in the final round of pool fixtures next week.
But Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle – who beat Leinster in the 2022 and 2023 finals – are in danger of missing out on a knockout place after failing to bounce back from last month’s defeat by the Stormers.
O’Gara will lament a slow start by his side as Leinster raced into a 12-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes with two tries by European debutant Joshua Kenny.
However, after Georgian winger Davit Niniashvili’s score narrowed the deficit before half-time, La Rochelle moved 17-12 clear when Nolann Le Garrec’s penalty was followed by Ihaia West’s converted try.
In an absorbing conclusion, Josh van der Flier and Robbie Henshaw crossed to push Leinster 22-17 and seal the bonus point, but the visitors looked to have snatched a dramatic win when West scored his second.
But after Leinster earned a penalty in the dying seconds, Byrne held his nerve after being given the nod over Sam Prendergast to take the kick by captain Caelan Doris.
More to follow.
Leinster: Frawley; O’Brien, Ioane, Henshaw, Kenny; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; P McCarthy, Sheehan, Clarkson, J McCarthy, Ryan; Conan, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: Kelleher, Cahir, Sparrow, Mangan, Deegan, McGrath, Byrne, Osborne.
Sin-bin: O’Brien (13), J McCarthy (37)
La Rochelle: Leyds; Nowell, Favre, Daunivucu, Niniashvili; West, Le Garrec; Wardi, Latu, Atonio, Kante-Samba, Skelton, Jegou, Botia, Alldritt (capt).
Replacements: Lespiaucq, Penverne, Kuntelia, Douglas, Fraindt, Berjon, Hastoy, Bollengier.
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant referees: Adam Leal (RFU) & John Meredith (RFU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
