Leinster 47 Bath 21

Prop Beno Obano was sent off as Bath were knocked out of the Champions Cup by a heavy loss away to Leinster.

The Gallagher Premiership leaders will be playing Challenge Cup rugby come the spring after a seven-try defeat in Dublin, combined with Benetton’s surprise 32-25 win over La Rochelle, saw them slip to fifth place in Pool 2.

Leinster, who have finished runners-up in the Champions Cup in each of the past three seasons, progress to the last 16 as group winners with a 100 per cent record.

Bath raced into a 14-0 lead inside eight minutes at the Aviva Stadium thanks to Finn Russell converting tries from No 8 Alfie Barbeary and full-back Tom De Glanville.

Robbie Henshaw’s quickfire double and a score from captain Jack Conan then turned the match in the home side’s favour.

Yet Johann van Graan’s visitors hit back and were 21-19 ahead at the break following De Glanville’s second touchdown of the evening and a further two points from Scotland fly-half Russell.

Leinster took control in the second period after replacement RG Snyman and Garry Ringrose crossed, either side of Obano being dismissed for a second yellow card.

Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park broke clear to increase the advantage, before World Cup-winning Springbok Snyman powered over following a line-out to register the Irish province’s seventh try.

Replacement Ross Byrne slotted the extras on the final two scores to add to four successful conversions from starting fly-half Sam Prendergast.

Bath’s scoreless second half was compounded by news from Treviso, where Benetton overturned a six-point deficit in the final 20 minutes to upset Ronan O’Gara’s two-time winners and seize fourth spot.

08:00 PM GMT

Thanks for joining us

That brings to an end our coverage of this Champions Cup tie as Bath were eliminated with defeat against Leinster. Thanks for joining us!

07:49 PM GMT

Leinster ‘didn’t panic’ after early deficit, says Conan

Leinster’s captain for the afternoon Jack Conan said to RTE: “Credit to Bath they came so quick out the gate and we were just slow to start.

“We didn’t panic, we were nice and calm we said we’ll stick to the process and we’ll get there. Really proud of the lads.

“All the lads off the bench were class and made a real impact and gave us that bit of a lift we needed, so we finished nice and strong.

“Probably a little bit loose in the first half chasing things, just need to be a bit more calm.

“A quality team Bath, they’re top of the (Premiership) for a reason - very difficult to break down.”

07:43 PM GMT

Henshaw ‘thrilled’ with win

Speaking at full time, player of the match Robbie Henshaw said on RTE: “We got there in the end after a slow start. Credit to Bath who came out of the blocks pretty quick and put us under pressure from the get-go!

“But thrilled to be here and get another win in a crowd over 40,000 I heard so brilliant.

On his own tries, he said: “Yeah it’s been a while but nice to get a couple of scores.

“I felt we did leave a few out there as well in that first half but we needed to be a bit more patient in breaking them down. We thought it would just come to us easily in that first half whereas we had to work harder.

On Leinster’s attack, he said: “We’re getting there, we’re always working on it. (There were) a few errors here and there but lot’s of positives to take.”

07:37 PM GMT

What the standings mean

Leinster and La Rochelle finish in the top two spots while Benetton’s victory over Ronan O’Gara’s side sees them finish in third and Clermont make up the final qualifying spot in fourth.

Bath drop down into the Challenge Cup while Bristol will only have domestic rugby to focus on for the rest of the season.

07:32 PM GMT

Today’s results and final standings

Today’s results in Pool 2:

• Clermont 33-26 Bristol

• Benetton 32-25 La Rochelle

• Leinster 47-21 Bath

Pool 2 final standings:

1. Leinster - 18 points

2. La Rochelle - 11 points

3. Benetton - 11 points

4. Clermont - 10 points

5. Bath - 7 points

6. Bristol - 7 points

07:27 PM GMT

Full time: Leinster 47 Bath 21

After such an entertaining first half, which finished 19-21, Leinster have completely dominated Bath in this second half to win 47-21.

It’s heartbreak for the visitors who now finish fifth in Pool 2 following Benetton’s victory over La Rochelle and they consequently fail to advance to the knockout stages.

Ojomoh’s second yellow card at 26-21 did Bath no favours but Leinster’s quality just proved too much in the end.

07:23 PM GMT

TRY! Snyman scores Leinster’s seventh

Leinster 47 Bath 21 (Snyman) It’s ominous now for Bath with their players starting to look really tired and Benetton continuing to lead La Rochelle. Can things turn around at this late stage?

It doesn’t look like it! Healy takes Leinster two metres short following the line-out before the ball is worked to Snyman to finish the job. Byrne converts and it’s all rather easy now for the hosts.

07:20 PM GMT

76 mins: Leinster 40 Bath 21

Bath knock it on before committing the foul and Leinster have the line-out about 10 metres out but they can’t capitalise as Bath can win tip it in their favour and clear.

Leinster come back quickly though and soon have the advantage. The move comes to nothing and Byrne can kick into touch within five metres.

07:15 PM GMT

73 mins: Leinster 40 Bath 21

Leinster force the foul at the breakdown inside Bath’s 22 after a superb kick and chase. Snyman gives away the foul following the line-out though and Bath are let off this time.

Keenan lets the ball go into touch but the referee and officials call it as a 50-22 from Russell. TMO confirms their decision. There is a high tackle from Moloney though and Bath waste the position.

07:11 PM GMT

TRY! Gibson-Park score’s Leinster’s sixth

Leinster 40 Bath 21 (Gibson Park) Gibson Park latches on to the loose ball after a kick forward by Byrne and a great challenge by Keenan.

He has the pace to burst away from the Bath defenders and cross the line for Leinster’s sixth of the day. Byrne converts and it’s a 19-point deficit that Bath face now.

07:08 PM GMT

66 mins: Leinster 33 Bath 21

La Rochelle are currently trailing Benetton meaning, as it stands, Bath are heading out. Given their deficit here at the Aviva, Bath probably need La Rochelle to turn things around. A fourth try and bonus point wouldn’t do them any harm either.

07:06 PM GMT

66 mins: Leinster 33 Bath 21

It’s a messy line-out from Bath in front of their own try-line and it’s eventually a knock-on from the visitors, gifting the scrum to Leinster.

Gibson-Park goes for the cheeky lobbed kick over the top of the Bath defence but Lawrence sweeps up well.

07:04 PM GMT

64 mins: Leinster 33 Bath 21

Keenan chases down a kick through incredibly and brings down De Glanville who was behind his own try-line and Leinster have the scrum within five metres.

Byrne goes for the crossfield kick to Barrett but it’s too deep and the inside-centre is forced into the touch after claiming. Missed opportunity there for the hosts.

07:00 PM GMT

TRY! Ringrose adds a fifth for Leinster

Leinster 33 Bath 21 (Ringrose) Some incredible footwork from Prendergast penetrates the Bath defence before he pops it off to Henshaw.

Gibson-Park picks it up from the breakdown before playing it to Ringrose and he just skips inside the final defender to cruise over the line.

Prendergast converts and it suddenly feels like a mountain of a task for Bath to get something from this game.

06:58 PM GMT

RED CARD! Obano given second yellow for Bath

Bath are penalised for wheeling the scrum and Prendergast can clear into touch for the Leinster line-out. It looks like they’ve overthrown it but the ball strikes the referee and he generously gives them another chance.

From the next line-out, Leinster win the scrum and Obano is penalised for folding. Oh wow - he gets a second yellow and he is off! It feels like a harsh decision.

06:55 PM GMT

58 mins: Leinster 26 Bath 21

Bath chase a kick really well and hold Prendergast up to force the foul. Russell kicks into touch well in the Leinster 22 for an attacking line-out Barbeary spills it as Bath go within five metres.

Leinster engage in the scrum too early though and Bath have the free-kick. Spencer doesn’t tap it though and Leinster are given the scrum. Another poor moment from the Bath skipper.

06:50 PM GMT

TRY! Snyman restores Leinster’s lead

Leinster 26 Bath 21 (Snyman) Leinster can turn it over as the ball goes loose at the breakdown on Bath’s 22.

They work it out to Ringrose who looks to be in down the right flank before being tackled by Russell, but the support arrives and it’s worked to Snyman who carries it over the line.

Prendergast converts and Leinster have the lead once again.

06:47 PM GMT

51 mins: Leinster 19 Bath 21

Russell knocks it on and despite Leinster then kicking the ball on, the referee still brings it back for the advantage and Leinster scrum.

After a number of attacking phases, Leinster reach the 22 but as they find themselves in a promising position down their left, Osborne’s pass to Van der Flier on the flank is spilt and the visitors have the scrum.

06:43 PM GMT

48 mins: Leinster 19 Bath 21

Bath can work it into the Leinster 22 following the line-out but there is obstruction from Lawrence at the breakdown, which gives the foul away and the hosts can kick into touch.

A few moments later and a long kick from Russell isn’t a great one as it looks to be harmlessly heading over the try-line but it bounces off the post and Keenan is forced into a rushed clearance into touch.

06:39 PM GMT

45 mins: Leinster 19 Bath 21

Spencer kicks high following the scrum but Osborne claims it excellently and Leinster work it well out to the right before back over to the left and they are quickly just outside the 22.

The attack is so promising for the hosts as they break into the 22 but a loose pass from Prendergast slows it down before Ojomoh pounces and wins the foul.

06:36 PM GMT

42 mins: Leinster 19 Bath 21

As it stands, La Rochelle, Bath and Benetton are all on 11 points and would therefore be progressing through ahead of Clermont on 10 points. This could all change very quickly with narrow margins in either game.

Leinster have the scrum on halfway and do well to work it into space on the left but Henshaw knocks it on and they waste a great position.

06:34 PM GMT

41 mins: Leinster 19 Bath 21

We are back underway with the hosts getting us underway going from left to right. A reminder that Bath are down to 14 for another couple of minutes. Can they hold on to a crucial lead?

06:27 PM GMT

Surprise half-time scores

The top two sides of Pool 2 are currently trailing with Benetton 13-11 up against La Rochelle at the break. Can they turn it around?

06:22 PM GMT

WATCH: Bath score inside 70 seconds

Bath took the lead after an incredibly early lead after less than 70 seconds with Alfie Barbeary getting over the line for the visitors.

06:20 PM GMT

Half-time: Leinster 19 Bath 21

Russell’s conversion was the final moment of an enthralling first half which Bath have come out on top of with a 21-19 lead.

06:19 PM GMT

TRY! De Glanville restores Bath lead

Leinster 19 Bath 21 (De Glanville) Just when Bath looked set to go into the interval behind, they respond incredibly!

Russell plays a superb long pass to Lawrence on the right and after powering through a couple of challenges, he pops it off to De Glanville making the supporting run to his right and he can score his second of the day to restore the lead for 14-man Bath.

Russell converts and what a great ending to the half for the visitors.

06:15 PM GMT

TRY! Conan gives Leinster the lead

Leinster 19 Bath 14 (Conan) The Leinster scrum collapses but the decision is given in their favour and the hosts have another scrum under the posts. It’s a stronger scrum this but the referee intervenes once again and Leinster will hope it’s third time lucky.

It certainly is! Conan brings it away from the scrum this time and takes his side to within a metre of the line. After a couple of carries it’s the captain to go for it once again and he can get over the line to give his side the lead for the first time.

Prendergast converts and the home side will surely lead at the break.

06:11 PM GMT

35mins: Leinster 12 Bath 14

There is a break in play as Gibson-Park is treated for a nasty gash on his cheek and replays show it was Obano’s forehead that made contact just before the knock-on.

There is a TMO check and the referee awards the yellow card for a high tackle, even with the mitigation of a quick change of direction from Gibson-Park.

Either way, Bath are down to 14 and Leinster have the attacking scrum five metres out from the line.

06:07 PM GMT

35 mins: Leinster 12 Bath 14

Bath have the scrum in front of their own try-line following the knock-on but Leinster win the foul as the scrum collapses.

They opt to kick into touch before driving towards the try-line. They get to within a metre, underneath the posts but knock it forward! A sigh of relief from Bath.

06:06 PM GMT

33 mins: Leinster 12 Bath 14

Maloney gives away the penalty for an illegal take-out in the breakdown and it’s a really good kick from Prendergast into touch inside Bath’s 22, down the hosts’ right.

Leinster then win the foul for another tackle off the ball and Prendergast is allowed to take it quickly despite Bath talking in a huddle.

As Leinster knock the ball on and the move breaks down, Spencer asks why this was allowed and the referee simply apologises and says he was wrong - how refreshing!

06:02 PM GMT

29 mins: Leinster 12 Bath 14

Some great work from Barbeary in the breakdown as Leinster come forward wins the foul for Bath. A really good start to the game by the visitors’ number eight.

Spencer fails to find touch from the kick though - his kicking needs to improve. Gibson-Park goes for the grubber kick through and despite Russell making a meal of gathering it as he slips, he then wins the foul.

05:58 PM GMT

26 mins: Leinster 12 Bath 14

Bath defend really well and force the spill from Leinster before nudging the ball through to force the hosts back well into their own half.

However, the TMO shows there was a tackle off the ball from Lawrence which gives away the penalty and Prendergast can find touch once again.

05:55 PM GMT

23 mins: Leinster 12 Bath 14

A delayed pass from Prendergast finds Osborne who can burst into a hole in the Bath defence to take his side into the visitors’ half but Roux gives away the foul in the breakdown.

It’s a bit rash from Spencer though as he looks to take the penalty quickly but his kick runs out beyond the try-line and Leinster have the scrum in the Bath half.

05:53 PM GMT

21 mins: Leinster 12 Bath 14

In the midst of that Leinster attack, Russell was forced to make way for a head injury assessment.

Van der Flier doesn’t release at the breakdown and Bath can ease the pressure on themselves for a moment as they can kick into touch for the line-out inside Leinster’s half.

After a number of phases from Bath, they give away the foul in the breakdown and Prendergast can find touch.

05:49 PM GMT

TRY! Henshaw scores his second

Leinster 12 Bath 14 (Henshaw) Bath give away the penalty for not releasing in the breakdown and the hosts opt to kick into touch, just a few metres out, down their right-hand side.

They can drive to within a metre of the line and, with the advantage, a succession of quick passes sees Henshaw freed and able to cross over the line.

Prendergast converts this time under the posts.

There is a TMO check for a knock-on but the onfield decision remains.

05:47 PM GMT

15 mins: Leinster 5 Bath 14

Bath commit the foul in the breakdown and the hosts can kick into touch about 30 metres out. Prendergast goes high with the kick and after a couple of spills backwards, they can eventually gather and clear.

Leinster quickly have it back though and work it out to Barrett who looks to be in down the right but Bath can make the tackle with the inside centre about five or ten metres out.

05:42 PM GMT

TRY! Leinster reduce deficit through Henshaw

Leinster 5 Bath 14 (Henshaw) Leinster take it into the Bath 22 and are able to work it to Keenan towards the right following the breakdown. The full-back pops it off inside for the onrushing Henshaw and he can get over the line to reduce the deficit.

Prendergast drags his conversion wide with the shot clock applying a bit of pressure. What a start we’ve had here in Dublin!

05:40 PM GMT

TRY! Bath double advantage through de Glanville

Leinster 0 Bath 14 (De Glanville) Bath have the scrum inside the Leinster 22 and work it out to Russell who pops it off to De Glanville to his right and the full back can roll over the try-line for his side’s second.

Russell converts once again and this has been just an unbelievable start from the visitors.

05:37 PM GMT

7 mins: Leinster 0 Bath 7

Following a wonderful take by Keenan and huge pass from Prendergast, De Glanville sweeps up nicely to gather Osborne’s kick through as Leinster look for an instant response.

Bath look to be in once again as Osborne is smashed in a tackle and loses hold of the ball. Russell kicks the ball through but Prendergast gets back to put a foot in and prevent the Bath man from claiming and getting over the line.

05:34 PM GMT

TRY! Bath score inside two minutes

Leinster 0 Bath 7 (Barbeary) It’s a really positive start by Bath who put some nice patterns together and suddenly Hill has space to run into down their left flank.

He is tackled about five or ten metres out but the visitors work it to Barbeary who can get over the line.

Russell converts to round off a dream start for Bath!

05:31 PM GMT

1 min: Leinster 0 Bath 0

We are underway at the Aviva Stadium with Bath and Finn Russell getting us underway kicking from left to right.

05:31 PM GMT

Kick-off approaching

Joe Cokanasiga is given the honour of heading out of the tunnel alone ahead of his 100th cap for Bath before the rest of the players follow and we are just a moment away from kick-off.

05:29 PM GMT

Van Graan on today’s challenge

Bath’s head coach Johann van Graan on the challenge of facing the Pool 2 leaders.

05:25 PM GMT

Cullen’s final thoughts

Leinster’s head coach Leo Cullen is relishing the challenge of taking on Premiership leaders Bath this evening.

05:21 PM GMT

Updated standings

That result really is heartbreak for Bristol after they had fought back to level the tie on two occasions after trailing 12-0 at half-time.

Here’s an update on the standings of Pool 2 following that result:

1. Leinster - 13 points

2. La Rochelle - 10 points

3. Clermont - 10 points

4. Bath - 7 points

5. Benetton - 7 points

6. Bristol - 7 points

05:18 PM GMT

Bristol beaten by Clermont

An 87th minute try has seen Clermont defeat Bristol in the sides’ final game of the pool stage. The result sees Clermont move up to third on 10 points while Bristol remain bottom.

Bath slip to fourth but can ensure their progression to the knockout round with a win given their superior points difference over Clermont.

Leinster have already qualified for the last-16 having won all of their three ties but will guarantee a home knockout tie with a win this evening.

05:14 PM GMT

Van Graan on ‘massive task’ ahead

Speaking after Bath’s comfortable win over Clermont Auvergne last Sunday, head of rugby Johann van Graan said: “It is all to play for - I think that’s why this competition is so great.

“You can make two choices. You can speak about how good Leinster are, because they are a phenomenal side, or you can just focus on yourselves.

“I have had some fond memories in the Aviva, and some big disappointments, and what a great place to go and play against one of the best teams in world rugby, certainly from a club point of view.

“It is a massive task. They are sitting way in front in the United Rugby Championship, and they are in front in our pool, and we are in front in the Premiership.”

05:09 PM GMT

Bath a ‘great challenge’ for Leinster, says Cullen

Speaking after Leinster’s win over La Rochelle last weekend, head coach Leo Cullen said: “It was a proper good cup rugby game, there was that feel about it. It was a pool game but it had that sense of a knockout game.”

Looking ahead to this weekend’s tie, Cullen added: “We will now need to turn our attention to Bath and hopefully we will get a big crowd in the Aviva Stadium for it.

“It will be another great challenge for us.”

05:04 PM GMT

Bath’s Champions Cup campaign

Despite an impressive second-half comeback, Bath’s Champions Cup campaign kicked off with a narrow 24-20 defeat at home to La Rochelle in torrential conditions at the Rec.

This was followed by a defeat of even tighter margins as an 80th-minute try saw Benetton run out 22-21 winners over Johann van Graan’s rotated side.

Bath eventually registered their first win of the tournament last weekend as they cruised past 14-man Clermont Auvergne at the Rec, winning by a scoreline of 40-21.

04:59 PM GMT

Leinster’s Champions Cup so far

Leinster started their Champions Cup pool stage with a 35-12 win away over Bristol as Sam Prendergast starred with two tries and five conversions.

It was a lower-scoring affair a week later as they took on Clermont at home but it was another triumph for the Irish side, coming out 15-7 winners.

Leo Cullen’s men continued their perfect record in this year’s competition last weekend as they narrowly beat La Rochelle 16-14 away from home.

04:54 PM GMT

Elsewhere in Pool 2

The two sides at the foot of the table at the start today are currently in action with Clermont hosting Bristol and with the game approaching its conclusion, the sides are all-square at 19-19.

Meanwhile, Benetton, who are level on points with Bath, take on second-placed La Rochelle in this evening’s other tie kicking off at 5:30pm.

04:50 PM GMT

Pool 2 after three matches

As the tournament’s pool stage reaches in conclusion, Leinster are the only side in Pool 2 to have won all of their opening fixtures and sit at the summit of the group on 13 points, with qualification already secured.

La Rochelle are in second having triumphed twice while the remaining four sides have all managed just one victory so far.

However, with Bath and Benetton having amassed a bonus point in each of their ties, they are on seven points while Clermont and Bristol sit on just five. Here’s the full standings of the group:

1. Leinster - 13 points

2. La Rochelle - 10 points

3. Bath - 7 points

4. Benetton - 7 points

5. ASM Clermont Auvergne - 5 points

6. Bristol - 5 points

04:46 PM GMT

Who’s in the tournament?

Pool 1 - Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Sharks, Toulouse, Ulster, Bordeaux Begles

Pool 2 - ASM Clermont Auvergne, Bath, Benetton, Bristol, La Rochelle, Leinster

Pool 3 - Bulls, Castres, Munster, Northampton Saints, Saracens, Stade Francais

Pool 4 - Glasgow Warriors, Harlequins, Racing 92, Sale, Stormers, Toulon

04:42 PM GMT

Tournament format

The Investec Champions Cup is a four-pool competition, containing 24 teams.

There are eight teams from each of the English Premiership, the French Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship.

Each club will play two matches at home and two matches away in the pool stages, but cannot play a side from the same league at this stage.

The top four sides go through to the round of 16 while the teams in fifth drop down into the Challenge Cup round of 16.

The final will be played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on 24 May 2025.

04:38 PM GMT

Those teams in full

Leinster: Keenan; Ringrose; Henshaw, Barrett; J Osborne, Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Slimani; J McCarthy, Ryan; Deegan, van der Flier, Conan (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Healy, Clarkson, Snyman, Doris, McGrath, R Byrne, J O’Brien.

Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga; Lawrence, Ojomoh; McConnochi; Russell, Spencer; Obano, Annett, Stuart; Roux, Molony; Hill, Reid, Barbeary.

Replacements: Dunn, van Wyk, du Toit, Ewels, Bayliss, Schreuder, Bailey, Coetzee.

04:35 PM GMT

Bath’s starting 15

Here’s how Bath set up this afternoon with winger Joe Cokanasiga set to win his 100th cap for the club as Johann van Graan makes three changes from Sunday’s win over Clermont.

04:33 PM GMT

How Leinster line up

This is Leinster’s starting outfit for this evening with Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan returning to action as head coach Leo Cullen makes five changes from the win over La Rochelle.

04:30 PM GMT

Preview: Bath look to advance with win over perfect Leinster

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the final round of the European Champions Cup pool stage as Bath look to qualify for the knockout rounds as they take on Pool 2 leaders Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Johann van Graan’s side were without a win in their first two fixtures but having triumphed last weekend against Clermont and with three bonus points in the bag, victory this evening would be enough to see them through.

Leinster have already secured their place in the last 16 having won all three of their matches this campaign, but the Irish side will still be hungry to continue their perfect record this evening with a home knockout tie the prize if they can remain top of the pool.

The sides will know their fate come full time with the clash between Benetton and La Rochelle getting underway at the same time of 5:30pm, while the pool’s fifth and sixth-placed teams Clermont and Bristol are already in action.

Bath will be hoping to make it four wins in their last five matches in all competitions this evening following their 40-21 win over Clermont last Sunday, which came two weeks after a 68-10 hammering of Saracens.

Despite defeat away at Northampton Saints at the start of the month, which was by a margin of just one point, Bath remain top of the Gallagher Premiership leading local rivals Bristol, who are in second, by six points.

They take on a Leinster side in imperious form though, with Leo Cullen’s men having won all nine of their United Rugby Championship matches this season and leading the way at the top of the table by 10 points.

Their only match since the turn of the year came last weekend as they edged past La Rochelle by a scoreline of 16-14.