URC table toppers Leinster began their mini tour of South Africa against a Springbok laden Sharks side in Durban over the past weekend.
Despite resting several front-line players ahead of their upcoming Heineken Champions Cup quarterfinal against a high-flying Leicester Tigers, the Dubliners once again showed just how much strength in depth they possess.
Two players in particular who have stood out all season are Ciaran Frawley and Tommy O’Brien.
As half time approached the scores were finely balanced at 10 – 7 in favour of the visitors. Frawley spotted open space between Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi and O’Brien on the right wing. With a beautifully weighted Crossfield kick that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a Gaelic Football pitch, Frawley found a sprinting O’Brien.
The winger still had plenty to do however as he stepped inside Fassi before sprinting away from the covering Werner Kok.
With this score Leinster extended to a 10-point lead ahead of the break. Despite this cushion the Sharks played some blindingly good rugby to come back into the contest.
Leading the way was Fassi who was simply sublime with ball in hand. The young fullback has continued to go from strength to strength and appears to have all of the skills necessary to be a sensational player at test level.
Sign In