Dublin (AFP)
Unsurprisingly, Lyon, already eliminated from the European Cup, bowed widely, despite great efforts, Sunday against Leinster (42-14), vice-champion in title, who flies over the competition and was already assured of participate in the quarter-finals.
A blue hell was promised to a Lyon team revamped on the lawn of Leinster. But despite a final score, Lyon did not have to be ashamed when they left the RDS Arena in Dublin.
Admittedly, the Lyonnais conceded 6 tries and spent almost the entire match defending against the vast majority of the Irish national team. But while they could have collapsed after two tries cashed in less than a quarter of an hour of play, the men of Pierre Mignoni showed a sacred character on earth so hostile.
Faced with the incessant blue breaking waves that fell on the end line, the Lyon defense was braced, yielding the least inch at the cost of incessant Irish efforts.
Better, Lyon even made (slightly) doubt the finalists of the last edition, champions in 2018, by registering two tries in the first period by Virgil Bruni (22) and Hendrik Roodt (38), to be led only 21-14 at the break.
But by dint of throwing forces into the battle, defending at the limit, the faults before the line have accumulated and the yellow cards have started to rain too much.
In wear, after a second, then a third numerical inferiority for repeated faults, Lyon dropped the flag, cashing 3 new tests in the second period.
Leinster signs his fifth victory, the fourth improved, and has the best total of first group (24 points).
Lyon will host Northampton for the last day and will have the role of arbitrator to play, the English (14 points), victorious Sunday in Treviso (33-20), going to the Rhône to snatch a place among the best second hens.
© 2020 AFP