'Incredible that it came down to this!' - Leinster scrape past Saints

RTÉ Rugby analysts Donal Lenihan, Fiona Coghlan, Jamie Heaslip and Bernard Jackman review Leinster's 2024 Champions Cup semi-final win over Northampton Saints. Includes interview with Jamison Gibson-Park, Caelan Doris and James Lowe.
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[@Ruah236]

James really does do the 'Lowe show' so easily. He is a laugh. His baby is gorgeous. Am glad the way it went in the end - its better for the Leinster players. It wouldn't have been good if they'd sailed through that match. We know they have more fight in them. Osborne had a great game, so did Henshaw, Doris and Jack Conan. Maybe the occasion got to Ross Byrne's nerves a bit but It is a huge stadium and so much hanging on the line. But having been through it now its a good experience for the Tottenham Hotspurs stadium in the final and he is a perfectionist so he will work hard on whatever was dragging him mentally on Saturday. This was a prefect venue and a perfect match for them. They should be now out of their comfort zone.

[@patrickfarrell5092]

What really bothered me about this commentary was both Donal Lenihan and Hugh Cahill were writing off Northampton with 25 minutes left on the clock, I don't know if it was arrogance or unprofessional behaviour but either way it was woeful commentary. I'm thinking Donal might be past it and Cahill can be childish sometimes.

[@mickinoz2005]

Nah they do that all the time, one minute they are saying leinster are in trouble then leinster score and suddenly leinster are on top.. I have to mute them can't stand listening to them

[@Camcolito]

Agree, I am really sick of that.

[@qcsorter4626]

Donal Lenihan was writing Northampton off after Lowe's third try with 35 minutes to go!!! I couldn't believe my ears, especially considering Leinster's collapse last year against La Rochelle. He had seen what the Saints had done away to Munster (despite getting a red card) and should have known that they would click at some stage. Yes, I too expected Leinster to win at that stage, but I would never have dismissed the possibility of a comeback.

[@gally50]

agree - I found it bizarre how they were basically saying the win was in the bag with so long left in the game. Reminded me of similar overconfidence, in general with Irish media in the run up to England in the 6 nations.

[@daithipol]

​@qcsorter4626 I was thinking that myself. At half time I said to the lads if NH score we're in trouble if leinster score is over. Turned out I was right.

[@ciaranfortune4192]

To have at least a chance in winning in London they need to score all the chances they get and not miss those kicks. They need to say consistent for the full 80.

[@Matt66120]

And the first team need to play in the URC games coming up. They looked like a team who were not match ready, same as last three seasons.

[@bengormley2517]

' "curtins now for Northampton"...Lenihan's comment at 45 minutes....lost the plot '

[@josephmaher4270]

looks like you are able tp predict the future,no evidence to suggest being realistic that northampton were going to come back at that point.hindsight is 20 20

[@bikeman9899]

The rugby was great. But, what's wonderful is seeing the players with their kiddos post match. Love seeing that.

[@fuzzylogiceire]

Doris's reaction said it all!

[@SHKLFC92]

Got to love anytime Lowe gets interviewed. Great vibes about him. Not a bad player either. 😂

[@one_eyed_odin]

We play like this against Toulouse and it's a sixth star for them. Simple as.

[@john-louiswepener2230]

I thinks Leinster were fortunate that the occasion got to the Saints early on and only showed up the last 20 minutes. Would have been interesting if they had more composure to start the game and had the same big game experience as the Blues. Regardless well done Leinster and the future is bright for the Saints

[@user-zj5nn7nb3z]

“Mitchell wasn’t as influential as he normally is” (Essentially drives the entire Northampton attack and comeback before he’s subbed off)

[@wgiblet]

Is Jamie Heaslip worse than Alan Quinlan as a pundit, or are they on par with each other for talking utter shite

[@amantedellopera1681]

On a par,couple of spoofers

[@user-fw3hp7bb6d]

I'd say Jamie is worse

[@Camcolito]

I like Alan, ye know.

[@wgiblet]

@@Camcolito Alan isn't as egregious as Jamie but he does a lot of talking without saying very much

[@AD-zcvnt]

Rte only accepts the dross of the 'old' boys club. Pravda tv

[@s.p246]

The kiwi players were class

[@patrickkelly4506]

Been honest Gipson park and James low for last two games. Played perfect rugby between them and got away with it and it was super to watch. But please don’t try this against Toulouse because they will be waiting on it. The long pass and they have plenty who can run the lent of the field. Go true the phases and don’t over throw the ball. We will pay if you do. DuPont Ramos and there ten will be gone and it will be certainly a try. This game is going to be the battle of the nines. We have no sexton who always orchestrated Toulouse brilliantly. So it will come down to the nines in this one

[@purplecrown505]

Hugh Cahill and Donal Lenihan have to be the worst commentary team around. All these weird phrases ("rescue the damage", "a long number of years"), mispronounced names and factual errors (Cahill claimed Leinster were "top of the URC"). Bring back Ryle Nugent

[@Matt66120]

Plus Lenihan gave Ross Byrne player of the match in the semi final. Any of the forwards were ahead of him.

[@DylanSyllabeu]

@@Matt66120you mean quarters? Gibson park got player of the match, he literally said it in the video 😂

[@Driver2616]

@@Matt66120: Ross Byrne was totally justified being named as Player of the Match in the quarter. I was there. He was magnificent.

[@gerrygeraghty4992]

All the irish commentators are pretty woeful. Will somebody explain something to me,I always thought a sports commentator was to talk you through what was going on on the pitch.If it was down to me they would be told you have a job to do here,you don't have an opinion. Because all you listen to is their opinions on individual players and on how a team is performing, that isn't their job.As for ryle nugent he's the worst of them.

[@FlyingHellFish99]

Grew up on Ryle Nugent myself and probably biased towards him, but I don’t mind Cahill. Lenihan is some dose though.

[@amantedellopera1681]

A 3 week break was too long,that said job done,nothing to fear playing toulouse,they leaked 4 tries v quins and our last 3 meetings we won 40v17...30v12...29v13...one before in 2018 we lost by 1 point 27v26 ...bring it on

[@ciaranfortune4192]

Nothing to fear lol

[@bikeman9899]

Yeah, easy right!! Saw the highlights vs Quins. They were formidable.

[@Natedawg38]

Our commentators really need to reign themselves in, its focking embarrassing

[@michaeloconnor9809]

I just hope that working class air in Tottenham wont be too heavy for those Leinster people

[@josephmaher4270]

dont worry we are all equal,no need to feel less important,😄

[@andrewgarner9194]

This lot are going to get absolutely destroyed in the final..... total lack of respect to opponents

[@brianboyle2681]

Ntamack, Dupont and the entire Toulouse back row will target Byrne and Leinster will lose because every season they try to be too smart for their own good - inexplicably persisting with average players and bizarre scheduling of players game time. Cullen is the Gareth Southgate of rugby and needs to go after what will almost certainly be another final defeat.

[@fionnmckool]

We need gobshite like you on every chat

[@mickinoz2005]

I think if they lose cullen will definitely come under fire, but unfortunately Byrne is not up to it nor is larmour - seem to be heavily dependant on jgp and lowe

[@Camcolito]

Easier said than done.

[@daviiidoff]

How did that work out for them last year 😂

[@daithipol]

​@@daviiidoffbetter than every team bar La Ro.

[@tvpc3194]

poor atmosphere for such a large crowd.

[@ciaranfortune4192]

Thought so too very dead crowd compared to the 30k in Toulouse

[@dazziola]

There was a bit of a lull when Saints started getting back into the game, but I don't think you could call that atmosphere "poor". I was at the game. I think the amount of errors from both sides killed a bit of the atmosphere alright. 12 scrums was ridiculous. Any time some good backline moves were getting started someone would knock it on!

[@fionnmckool]

You were not there!

[@Shamo-yc4vy]

Yep I thought the atmosphere during the game against la Rochelle was better, alot more chanting. Alot of chatting through out the game. Alot of people just there for the day out, not big Leinster fans or at least don't want to cheer. To be honest 2nd half was dire, nothing much to cheer about and game seemed over as a contest after first 15mins

[@michaeloconnor9809]

Leinster fans, I mean delegates dont chant. That's for the working class. Leinster people applaud.

[@duber1439]

The Atmosphere was terrible at the game, This venue is not suitable for rugby 🏉 If I got a free ticket to attend another game their, I would turn it down, It’s all about money 💰

[@one_eyed_odin]

The atmosphere was amazing 😅

[@Trajan2401]

What do you expect it wasn't exactly a classic too many mistakes