Leinster secured their place in the Champions Cup semi-finals in a comfortable fashion last night, defeating Leicester Tigers on a scoreline of 55-24 at the Aviva Stadium.
It was a game that everyone expected the Irish side to win rather comfortably, although they didn't have things all their way in the first half. The visitors were well in the game at halftime, although Leo Cullen's side would pull away as the contest went on to secure a convincing win.
And just like that!! 💥
Leinster are running away with this tie now!! 🔥#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/jdJ16VdcCa— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 7, 2023
This result sees Leinster move onto the last four, with the province being many people's favourites to win the competition for the first time since 2018.
As for Leicester, their head coach seems to think that his team were at a disadvantage before the whistle even blew last night.
Richard Wigglesworth makes bitter Leinster comments
Leicester Tigers have enjoyed a decent season in the Premiership, sitting in third place, although they are well behind table toppers Saracens.
However, the gap between them and the top teams in Europe was hammered home last night, with Leinster outclassing their opponents in every facet of the game.
Speaking after the game, their interim head coach Richard Wigglesworth congratulated the Irish team on a top performance. However, he also put the gulf in class between the sides purely down to the finances of both teams and suggested that Leinster have underperformed in recent seasons.
They have earned their home advantage and with the fans here it will take a special team to beat them, but they have only won it once in 11 years.
"So there has been teams that have popped up and beaten them. They’ve got to go and win it...
30 points, big enough gulf. Leinster were the better team today, an outstanding team who are quite rightly favourites to lift the trophy.
One, they are an outstanding team with quality internationals and quality coaches that have been together a long time.
None of that is in question, but the gulf is in what you have available to spend. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong. I’m not asking to spend more money. I’m just being clear.
Of course, those who remember Richard Wigglesworth's playing career would have found those comments to be slightly ironic. After all, he was a mainstay in the Saracens team at a time when they were found to have repeatedly breached financial rules in England, something that ultimately resulted in the club's relegation.
Quite a few people took issue with the comments.
My dude Richard Wigglesworth throwing shade about Leinsters budget as if he didn’t play with Saracens for 10 years, you couldn’t make it up
— John (@johngormley94) April 8, 2023
Richard Wigglesworth:
"The gulf is in what you have available to spend. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong.
I’m not asking to spend more money. I’m just being clear."
In other words, he can't buy what Leinster develop.
How much was Leicester's salary cap breach again? pic.twitter.com/f4X7C3fVGZ— Justin Deegan (@JustinDeegan_) April 8, 2023
Is this the same Richard Wigglesworth, or a different one??@ShaunMcGoldrick https://t.co/u2fLMFTLyx pic.twitter.com/wce9eWXLV2
— Raymond Hughes (@Raymondo79) April 7, 2023
Leinster now have a Champions Cup semi-final against either Toulouse or Cell C Sharks to look forward to later this month.
Should they overcome that significant challenge, they will be given the opportunity to win the trophy in front of a home crowd at the Aviva Stadium.
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