Garry Ringrose helped Leinster get their Champions Cup fixtures rolling with a 33-19 bonus-point win over Benetton at the RDS.
Leinster scored five tries in their Champions Cup opener against Benetton at the RDS Arena in Dublin on Saturday.
Garry Ringrose shone with his first career hat-trick, while Rónan Kelleher and Johnny Sexton also touched down for the hosts to secure a bonus point win.
“I won’t say we admire their spirit, because they are above that.”
“We’re under no illusion how tough a game that was.”
Benetton have made huge strides forward in recent times the @leinsterrugby boys know it well.
Class from man of the match Garry Ringrose 👏 pic.twitter.com/z4fUr4GxTx
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 16, 2019
Benetton lock Dean Budd scored in the first half while hooker Epalahame Faiva and winger Luca Sperandio scored second-half tries for the visitors.
Irish international Ian Keatley kicked two conversions for Benetton.
“Give him the ball and something special is going to happen.”
Garry Ringrose is different class 🙌
The Irish star helps himself to a hat-trick as @leinsterrugby start their #HeinekenChampionsCup campaign in style 🔵 pic.twitter.com/8pVqHbTJXD
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 16, 2019
More to follow
Leinster: Larmour; D Kearney, Ringrose, O’Loughlin, Lowe; Sexton, McGrath; Healy, Rónan Kelleher, Porter, Toner, Ryan, Ruddock, Van der Flier, Doris
Replacements: Tracy, Dooley, Bent, Fardy, Deegan for Doris 16, Gibson-Park, Byrne, Henshaw.
Benetton: Hayward; Esposito, Brex, Sgarbi (capt), Sperandio; Keatley, Duvenage; Quaglio, Faiva, Riccioni; Herbst, Budd; Pettinelli, Steyn, Manu.
Replacements: Makelara, Zani, Pasquali for Riccioni 29, Fuser, Lazzaroni, Halafihi, Tebaldi, Allan.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
