mens
United-rugby-championship
Leinster slipped to a 27-26 loss against Lions in theirs United Rugby Championship the opener, despite Fintan Gunne scoring a first-half hat-trick.
Gunne opened the scoring for the defending champions after just six minutes after bursting through the Lions defence, but Caspar Gabriel failed to convert and the hosts soon hit back as Erich Cronje struck and Chris Smith added the extras.
Smith increased their advantage from the tee with a penalty but Leinster leveled soon after Josh Ericson burst through the home defense before passing to Gunne, who ran over for the second try which Gabriel was able to convert.
Cronje’s try with Smith’s subsequent conversion restored the Lions’ lead and although Gabriel missed a penalty, Gunne grounded between the posts to give Leinster a 19-17 lead at the break.
Smith’s penalty put the Lions back in front after the break and Leinster were further frustrated when Dylan McNeice was booked in the last 10 minutes, leaving Kelly Mpeka to head into the corner for the hosts just before half-time, Smith’s shot going wide.
However, the Lions were given a scare when SJ Kotze was sent to the sin bin in added time and Leinster scored at the death when Stephen Smyth’s effort was converted by Harry Byrne, taking a bonus point for Leinster.
