Leinster vs Bath match report: Ian Madigan fills boots to send Bath packing

Bath crashed out of the Champions Cup with a whimper rather than a fight. Leroy Houston scored in the second half but that was the only glimmer of light on a bleak performance.

In contrast, Leinster saved face by halting their run of defeats, though they rarely had to stretch themselves.

Bath faced expectancy but there were early signs of fatigue following their heroics against Toulon in the south of France.

They were not helped by losing hooker Rob Webber early on to injury and Dominic Day to a yellow card. They were also to lose Francois Louw at the break.

It meant that their set-piece, which was the bedrock of their display against the European champions last week, struggled even against an inexperienced Leinster pack.

The hosts have looked a shadow of the side that won this tournament three times between 2009 and 2012, though the expectancy to prevent a record fifth defeat in the pool stages was powerful motivation.

Hooker James Tracy went close on 23 minutes but it was the boot of Madigan that punished Bath’s indiscipline.

Houston thought he had given Bath a foothold following the speed and vision of Jonathan Joseph from a counter-attack, only to be beaten by the fingertips of Dave Kearney for the touchdown.

Instead, Madigan nudged Leinster 15-3 ahead early in the second half before Houston offered a glimmer of hope. Henry Thomas made the initial break and from the resulting line-out, Houston spearheaded the second thrust for a try.

The No 8 and Matt Banahan then collided for Sean Cronin to end up scurrying over unopposed to settle the tie.

Leinster: Z Kirchner (N Reid, 67); I Nacewa (capt, J Sexton, 74), G Ringrose, B Te’o, D Kearney; I Madigan, L McGrath (E Reddan, 66); P Dooley (J McGrath, 46), J Tracy (S Cronin, 46), T Furlong (M Moore, 46), R Molony, M McCarthy (T Denton, 46), R Ruddock, J van der Flier, J Murphy (S O’Brien, 59).

Bath: A Watson (T Homer, 64); S Rokoduguni, J Joseph, K Eastmond, M Banahan; G Ford (R Priestland, 66), C Cook (J Evans, 66); M Lahiff (N Auterac, 50), R Webber (R Batty, 30-36, 41), D Wilson (H Thomas, h-t), S Hooper (capt), D Day (sin-bin, 35; C Ewels, 53), M Garvey, F Louw (D Denton, h-t), L Houston.

Referee: P Gauzere (France).