Updated at 17.05
LEINSTER HAVE CONTINUED their stream of new contract announcements this week by confirming new deals for Hugo Keenan, Jack Conan and Scott Penny.
The province have also announced that Academy player David Hawkshaw has signed his first senior contract with the club.
Despite making his Leinster debut back in 2017, Keenan has kicked on to a new level and made a real breakthrough in the past 12 months, winning his first Ireland cap against Italy in October of last year.
With veteran fullback Rob Kearney moving to Australia’s Western Force, the versatile Keenan – who can play at fullback or on the wing – has grown into a key figure at both provincial and international level.
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UNITED STAND: Leinster players gather on the pitch following their victory over Exeter Chiefs in Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final at Sandy Park. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Mon, 12 Apr, 2021 - 07:00
Having disposed of potentially the biggest obstacle in their relentless pursuit of the elusive fifth Heineken Champions Cup star in reigning champions Exeter Chiefs, Leinster are now in pole position to make up for the disappointments of the last two seasons in Europe.
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Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster’s side were superb in Sandy Park yesterday. By Murray Kinsella Sunday 11 Apr 2021, 6:00 AM 3 hours ago 3,709 Views 8 Comments
Jack Conan celebrates Leinster s win.
Image: Ryan Hiscott/INPHO
Image: Ryan Hiscott/INPHO
ROBBIE HENSHAW WAS named man of the match but it could have gone to several other Leinster players.
Only nine minutes into yesterday’s Champions Cup quarter-final in Sandy Park, the smart money was on an Exeter player walking away with the award for the best individual performance. 14-0 up, the defending champions had a massive early advantage.
Both sides had standout individuals out wide, with Leinster’s Jordan Larmour and Exeter’s Tom O’Flaherty contributing a brace of tries apiece, but ultimately Leinster’s territorial superiority and defensive energy was decisive. Even in the absence of Johnny Sexton, who was forced off inside the first half-hour, the Irish province fully deserved their victory.
Exeter, who went 14-0 up early on, were left to regret their inability to take their customary grip on proceedings in the final 30 minutes. “We can play better than we did today,” acknowledged Rob Baxter, their director of rugby. “We’ll be frustrated with some things on review but a lot of that is credit to Leinster. They kept an intensity in the game which meant we never really settled.”