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Leinster crush Ospreys, Matawalu shines on landmark Warriors outing
By Christopher Devine
Reigning Pro14 champions Leinster ran riot against the Ospreys on Friday, romping to a 52-7 win at the RDS Arena.
Debutant Scott Penny was among seven different home players to cross the whitewash in an utterly dominant display from Leo Cullen's men, with Hanno Dirksen's late try providing little consolation for the Ospreys.
Both teams were missing several players due to international commitments, but Leinster looked magnificent despite the absence of many of their biggest names. They now sit 10 points clear at the top of Conference B, having won eight of their nine league matches this term.
Glasgow Warriors hold an even bigger advantage of 13 points at the summit of Conference A, after thumping Cardiff Blues 40-15.
The Warriors had a bonus point in the bag before half-time, while Niko Matawalu claimed two of their six tries on his 100th appearance for the club.
Friday's other match saw the Scarlets overtake Ulster in Conference B with a bonus-point win over the Irish province.
The Scarlets ran out 29-12 winners, prompting head coach Wayne Pivac to say: "Job done, really. There was a lot to play for. It was certainly what we asked for."
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Latest Comments
Perenara is super woke, the treaty of long ago is irrelevant to a game of rugby in Italy. By referencing it and claiming the countries going through tough times is clearly because Perenara doesn't agree with the democratically elected government of New Zealand that people from all ethnicities voted for. Perenara is making it divisive and political despite many of his team mates that wouldn't agree with his decision. The Allblacks saved this year's worst performance to combine it with the most divisive haka statement. Perhaps it's overdue now for NZ rugby to leave the haka for home games only, ensure that only the players that want to do it are included and never again have 'insertions' added by political activist players.
Go to commentsI expected a larger win than this and the ABs were off slightly whilst the rested Italians were well up for this and gave a real committed performance
Frustrating but a lot of those ABs forwards have done huge minutes this tour and Italy are not the side from the World Cup
Remember they beat wales and Scotland in the 6N
Drew with France and lost to England by 3
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