As a statement of intent, Leinster's performance last night at Donnybrook could not have been any more emphatic. Defeat would have effectively signalled the end of the province's Heineken European Cup ambitions. It was therefore all the more commendable that Leinster produced a marvellous four-try display on the most pressure-laden occasion of their season to date.
Conditions were miserable, the constant rain a potential bedfellow for handling errors. Leinster, though, played with an accuracy and precision that has been missing from most previous performances. They produced all of the quality rugby last night and the breadth and vision of their patterns ultimately ripped asunder the visitors.
On a night of excellence, Leinster had many accomplished performers, notably centre Shane Horgan, a deserved man of the match, and Victor Costello, who was unlucky not to receive that accolade himself. In essence, it was a fine collective performance, players taking responsibility and having the patience to work their openings.
Biarritz struggled to cope with the pace of the match; it was only in the latter part of the first half and a brief spell in the second that they looked threatening. It was a tribute to Leinster's aggressive defence that they did not yield a single try.
Leinster opened positively. Brian O'Driscoll underlined the intent, powering through a minuscule gap in midfield before being brought to ground by Biarritz full back Glen Osborne.
The home side grabbed the lead their play merited on five minutes, a move that began with a great turnover and surge by second row Malcolm O'Kelly. Liam Toland took the ball on and, two rucks later, centre Shane Horgan swept to the blindside, broke two tackles and had the strength and the speed to make the line.
Eddie Hekenui missed the conversion, but on 14 minutes added a penalty to put Leinster 8-0 in front. A primary concern for Leinster, though, was the concession of too many penalties and the 40 minutes contained three successful strikes from Biarritz outhalf Laurent Mazas.
Leinster, though, continued to play with an assurance of handling that belied the conditions. They were rewarded on 24 minutes when, from a scrum just outside their 22, Hekenui produced a delightful chip, Horgan regathered superbly and released Gordon D'Arcy. He raced 30 metres before passing inside to the supporting O'Driscoll, who outpaced flanker Serge Betsen over the last 22 metres to the line. Hekenui kicked a magnificent touchline conversion.
Thereafter, the pace of Leinster's game dropped appreciably and the errors crept in allowing Biarritz to edge closer with a couple of Mazas penalties. Kevin Putt's departure could have proved a setback, but Brian O'Meara proved an able deputy.
The home side needed an authoritative start to the second half and, in this respect, Victor Costello provided them with the platform. He made the hard yards from the base of the scrum time and again and in broken play he was equally effective in giving his pack a target going forward.
Sustained pressure allowed Denis Hickie to drop a goal, but Trevor Brennan's sinbinning a minute later threatened to scupper Leinster's control. To their credit, the home side increased their work-rate from one to 15, Toland, O'Kelly and Corrigan leading the tackle-count up front. Eric Miller's arrival and that of Leo Cullen, Peter Smyth and Gary Halpin allowed Leinster to increase the tempo further.
Horgan's tour de force continued with another fine break and his well-timed inside-pass allowed D'Arcy to cross unopposed. Hekenui converted as he would do again on 67 minutes when Horgan grabbed his second try of the match, taking a short pass from Hekenui to coast over from 10 metres.
Mark McHugh's 79th-minute arrival on the pitch allowed him to avail of an injury-time penalty to complete an excellent night's work for Leinster.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; E Hekenui, K Putt; R Corrigan, S Byrne, E Byrne, B Casey, M O'Kelly, T Brennan, V Costello, L Toland (capt). Replacements: B O'Meara for Putt (32 mins); L Cullen for Casey (58); E Miller for Brennan (59); P Smyth for S Byrne (63); G Halpin for E Byrne (63); P McKenna for D'Arcy (74); mins
BIARRITZ: G Osborne; P Bernat-Salles, S Bonetti, N Couttet, S Legg; L Mazas, N Morlaes; S Puleoto, M Irazoqui, C Dabadie, L Matiu, O Roumat, S Betsen, S Keith, C Milheres. Replacements: JM Gonzalez for Dabadie, E Menieu for Matiu (both half-time); F Botica for Morlaes (47); O Nauroy for Keith (60); S Bonnet for Osborne (64); JP Versailles for Puleoto (66).
