WATCH: Stunning match highlights as Leinster power past Sale in European Champions Cup
Dan Sheehan was player of the match at the Aviva Stadium as Leo Cullen's men made light work of their English opponents
Leinster booked their place in the European Champions Cup semi-finals with a convincing 43–13 win over Sale Sharks at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, April 11.
The home side started with intent and struck early through hooker Dan Sheehan, who crossed after a well-worked attacking phase. Despite that promising opening, Leinster struggled to find rhythm in a fragmented first half. Sale brought heavy physicality and slowed the breakdown effectively, preventing the hosts from building sustained momentum. Fly-half George Ford kept the visitors within touching distance with accurate goal-kicking, ensuring Leinster held only a narrow advantage at the interval.
After the restart, however, the match shifted decisively. Leinster increased their tempo and sharpened their execution, while Sale began to lose discipline at key moments. With space opening up, the Irish province capitalised ruthlessly. Tries from Hugo Keenan and Ryan Baird set the tone, before further scores from Rieko Ioane, Tommy O'Brien, and Jamie Osborne put the result beyond doubt.
At out-half, Harry Byrne controlled proceedings with composure, adding points from the tee and directing play intelligently. Leinster’s set-piece, particularly the lineout, also provided a solid platform for their attacking surge.
Sale continued to battle and were rewarded with a late try from Alex Wills, but by then the outcome was already decided.
In the end, Leinster’s ability to shift gears in the second half proved decisive. While they were tested early on, their clinical finishing and superior depth ultimately carried them comfortably into the last four.