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14th December 2019
07:09pm GMT
Garry Ringrose scores one of his three tries against Northampton. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)[/caption]
The second half followed a similar pattern, with James Lowe getting in on the scoring action and Ringrose completing his hat-trick of tries. He scored a trio against Treviso earlier in the group stages and was the lightning rod for the four-time European champs.
Ahsee Tuala got over for Saints' third try and opened up the possibility of leaving Dublin with a try-scoring bonus point that could just about keep their European hopes alive. Leinster were not finished themselves, however, and Caelan Doris' oh-so-simple try after 67 minutes highlighted the gulf between the two sides.
There was still time for Jordan Larmour, who had another fine game at fullback, to leave half the Saints' XV for dead with a slaloming run full of mischievous side-steps:
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1205925721308311553
At 7:09pm, the final whistle put Saints out of their absolute misery. The Premiership leaders were humbled at Franklin's Gardens last weekend and this outing was worse again.
The only issues that may arise from this fixture were Ross Byrne leaving the field after 48 minutes, after picking up a leg injury, and James Ryan being somewhat reckless with this first half ruck clear-out:
https://twitter.com/Rreesrugby/status/1205910958578774022
As it stands, Leinster are up to 19 points and guaranteed of reaching the last eight already. They have won 11 games in a row, this season, and are looking in imperious form.
They have three inter-provincial games over the festive period and, who knows, they may finally be tested in one of those outings.
OUR MAN OF THE MATCH: Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
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