ANALYSIS: As 25-minute cameos go, Dan Leavy’s was absolutely stunning

Injury scuppered his hopes of a big impact in the November internationals but 2018 could be the year we are all talking about Dan Leavy.

The Leinster back-row entered the fray, on Saturday, with his side edging back into a fierce contest with Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs.

Sean O’Brien had given up every last ounce of himself for the cause but, after 55 minutes, he could give no more. On came Leavy at blindside and, as cameos go, it was an absolutely massive one. His first contribution, though, was to be part of a scrum that collapsed on his side and saw Jack McGrath penalised.

Chiefs will probably rue not going for the posts but Gareth Steenson opted to kick for an attacking lineout. The English side claimed the throw but Leavy, Scott Fary and James Tracy were crucial in driving the Chiefs maul sideways and to a stand-still so they had to use the ball. One phase later and Leinster had the turnover after an excellent Robbie Henshaw tackle on Henry Slade forced a spill.

Leinster had a huge slice of luck when Pascal Gauzere and his officials chose to give Isa Nacewa the benefit of the doubt on Jack Nowell’s sliced clearance. Leinster won their lineout and Leavy finally got his hands on the ball. He passed to Fardy then latched on for a strong carry that got the Blues onto the Chiefs 22.

The next Leinster scrum was much better and Jack Conan made a barging carry that got his side to within 15 metres. Carries from James Ryan, Luke McGrath then Leavy all made metres and Leinster were suddenly two away from the Exeter tryline. Three phases later and he latched onto Furlong and, when that drive was repelled, had a wriggle himself.

Leavy made a third carry within the space of 50 seconds before Fergus McFadden was just held up in the corner. All was not lost as Isa Nacewa knocked over a penalty to make it 17-15 with 16 minutes left on the clock.

On the restart, Rob Kearney, who was having a decent game, made a cut inside and Leavy gave him the back-up he required with a forceful clear-out at the breakdown. Leinster were motoring now.

He was back up and offering for another carrying, second after, and took a crunching tackle from Alec Hepburn to the ribs. Leinster were looking good until Sam Skinner somehow contrived to poach the ball from Ryan’s grasp and pop a pass back.

Henshaw made a superb tackle on Chiefs No.8 Sam Simonds before Jonny Hill flew in off his feet at the ruck to give up a penalty. It would prove costly in the extreme.

A kick up the line and while the Leinster lineout was not ideal, McGrath clutched on and made the carry. Luke McGrath found Tracy and his wonderful, soft hands popped Leavy a lovely pass. With Hill committed, Leavy stormed past Steenson and steamed away from replacement prop Harry Williams.

Looking back on it, Exeter will wonder how they allowed a fresh Leinster flanker to be left facing a defensive trio of lock, tight-head and veteran outhalf. Either way, they were in deep trouble and Leavy timed his pass to McGrath, in support well, taking fullback Lachlan Turner out too.

Superb offload ?

Great work by Dan Leavy as Luke McGrath scores a crucial try for Leinster.

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Slade almost put Nowell away soon after the restart, with Leinster now leading for the first time, but Nacewa was on hand to make a great, low tackle. There was some scrum consternation that ate up well over a minute before Nacewa made a decent carry up the left flank.

Leavy’s leg-driving power was evident in another carry – picking and driving after Henshaw was tackled – that got his side forward momentum.

Exeter are made of stern stuff, however, and back they came.

Rob Baxter’s men did not have much left in the tank but they were hoping Leinster would offer them another scoring glimpse. With seven minutes remaining, Leavy stepped up with a superb turnover.

Steenson made the assumption, as many have in the past two years, that he could gas past Tadhg Furlong. The tight-head brought him down with a tackle around the waist and Leavy was on the ball in an instant. He was firmly on it when two Chiefs attempted to lift and clean him out. Too late, though, and Steenson was done for holding on.

“He’s certainly made an impression since he’s come on,” declared Lawrence Dallaglio on BT Sport.

Leinster coughed up that promising bit of territory and possession through another poor lineout and a penalty concession [Nacewa] but Exeter were handing out gifts themselves. A miscued lineout throw went straight to McGrath and, again, Leavy was there with the forceful clear-out at the ruck, giving Jamison Gibson-Park plenty of space and time.

Some kick tennis worked out in Exeter’s favour and they pressed forward again, with Leavy needing to make a big tackle on Olly Woodburn after he evaded Ringrose.

Still the fight was not yet won, even after the Chiefs were penalised when attempting to set up a rolling maul in the Leinster 22. Josh van der Flier devastated Steenson on a brutal carry and the hosts had just 60 seconds to see out a remarkable comeback win. In that final minute, Leavy carried twice more [his seventh and eighth overall in 25 minutes] and was involved in four other rucks, clearing or guarding.

Exeter’s will snapped as time time red and they conceded a penalty that ended the match.

Leavy came on when his team were already turning the screw but his superb cameo simply drove them deeper and deeper. Leinster will need more of the same from the 23-year-old over the coming months.

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