Although Leinster haven’t guaranteed a home Champions Cup quarter-final with Friday night’s result, they have all but guaranteed it.
The spoils were shared at Stade Pierre Antoine as Leinster held Castres to a 24-24 draw in the lion’s den. Two tries from Robbie Henshaw and a third by Dan Leavy were enough to earn the province two points for their final pool game.
The Blues lost two of their stars to injury during the game with Johnny Sexton and captain Isa Nacewa being forced off the field on the 22 and 36-minute marks respectively. Sexton’s withdrawal will bring fresh concerns for Joe Schmidt with the fly-half now a doubt for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 4.
Although Leinster did well to hold on against an aggressive Castres side, the sight of Jamison Gibson-Park dead in order to secure the draw in the 11th hour had a lot of fans worried. Some were fearful that two points may not have been enough to earn their side a home quarter-final, with the top four group winners earning a home tie in the last eight.
https://twitter.com/ReynholmITdpt/status/822558713621975041
Leinster WTF did ye do that for?? #CASvLEI
— @Aoifs123 (@Aoifs123) January 20, 2017
What has Gibson-Park just done?! Kicked it out when Leinster needed a win to guarantee home QF. #CASvLEI
— El_Poderoso (@ronanodowd) January 20, 2017
He kicked it out and just put his faith in other teams doing Leinster a favour I'd like to think it wasn't just Gibson Park's decision.
— TD (@_JTD28) January 20, 2017
What on earth have i just watched!!!! Gibson park not even looking at his options that could cost us a home quarter!!!
— Seán Carty (@cartysean) January 20, 2017
Did Gibson-Park have a grand on a draw 🤔
— Ger O' Sullivan (@ger26589) January 20, 2017
The good news for Leinster is that although they could technically be playing away in the next round, it’s not very likely. In order for that to materialise, Connacht would have to put in the performance of the century against Toulouse and get a bonus point win by a 62-point margin.
That being said, the result could well cost them a home semi-final, should they make it that far.
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