Leinster sustain Chamions Cup ambitions

Despite making a terrible start Devin Toner and Leinster marched to a 34-22 victory over Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup quarter-final at Sandy Park today.

In what turned out to be a terrific, end-to-end encounter Leinster showed tremendous resilience and conviction to defeat the reigning champions.

It didn't look good for the Blues early on when Exeter ran in for two converted tries inside the opening nine minutes.

Leinster, however, hit back to lead 20-14 at the interval with the help of a James Lowe try converted by Johnny Sexton. Ross Byrne came on to replace Sexton and converted a try by Jordan Larmour to leave it 14-14.

Byrne added two more penalties to give Leinster their interval advantage.

In the second-half Leinster trailed briefly as Exeter made it 22-20 but it wasn't long before the visitors imposed themselves again.

They also continued to add to their account with a second Larmour try and three Byrne penalties to secure their 12th semi-final spot in the European Cup.