PERCEPTIONS INSIDE THE Leinster group have been very different to those outside in recent weeks.
Yesterday evening’s 21-11 victory over Connacht was the latest step forward in the development of Leinster’s attack, which continues to grow in width and incision. Man of the match Noel Reid helped greatly in both those facets on a chilly night at the RDS.
The 24-year-old made his fifth Pro12 start of the season as Leinster moved level on points with league leaders Munster overnight, thanks to tries from Zane Kirchner and Shane Jennings, as well as Jimmy Gopperth’s 11 points off the tee.
It was Reid who stole the show, however, making one major linebreak through the tackle of Kieran Marmion in the first half, generally passing superbly and adding some intelligent kicking after the break.
“The team played pretty well and I chipped in, so I was happy with the performance.”
Reid pointed out that despite the public consensus that Matt O’Connor’s side have been struggling, the mood within the Leinster group has always been strong. As they now move attention to Munster at Thomond Park on 26 December, all is well.
Reid collects his man of the match award last night. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
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“The morale has been pretty good anyway. There’s kind of been a lot of talk outside of camp about our performances, but we’ve just been working hard and we know it’s going to click,” said Reid at the RDS.
“We’re playing against tough teams, we’re never going to beat them by 30 or 40 points, they’re tough battles. I think now we’re in a good spot in the league and we’ve two massive derbies coming up.
“That’s our main focus now, Munster away is obviously going to be tough so four points is the main goal there and we’ll move on after that.”
That Leinster produced two tries against Connacht was encouraging, particularly given the defensive effort of Pat Lam’s men in Dublin. Reid put the attacking progress down to sharper efforts post-tackle.
“There’s teams slowing it down, so in training all season we’ve been focused on our rucking, our barrels, getting rid of the bodies early so we can go.
“Tonight it was a bit quicker than it has been all season. The backs got a bit more ball and we were able to have a few one-on-ones with the Connacht lads.”
4 talking points after Leinster see off Connacht at the RDSNoel Reid shines at 12 in Leinster win over Pat Lam’s Connacht