Leinster got back track after their recent run of form in the URC over the weekend, producing a thumping 61-14 victory over Ospreys at the RDS.
It was a brilliant performance from the province, who opted to play a first choice XV in league competition for the first time in a number of weeks. Their most recent outings in the URC had seen second string sides ship two heavy defeats in South Africa, results that had put them under some pressure in the battle for play-off seedings.
There were no such issues on this occasion. With most of the big hitters returning to the side, Leinster would run in nine tries in order to close the gap on table toppers Glasgow Warriors.
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Rugby fans baffled by missed cynical Caelan Doris play vs Ospreys
While it would have had very little impact on the ultimate outcome of the game, it is fair to say that Leinster star Caelan Doris got away with a rather blatant infringement during the Ospreys game.
It came during a defensive ruck, where after the Ireland star was shielded from the ball by the opposition, he would swing a boot at the Ospreys scrum-half and knock the ball from his hands as he attempted to make a pass.
It was a cynical piece of play and one that came right in front of the referee. However, instead of correctly punishing Doris, the official would somehow deem this to be a knock-on and give the advantage to Leinster.
You can watch the incident below.
Caelan Doris never not at it! An absolute pest at defensive rucks.
Very frustrating one for the Ospreys here as Leinster were given the scrum for knock-on. pic.twitter.com/5r09Ls83S7— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) May 13, 2024
We have no idea how the Leinster man got away with that one.
Former England star Andy Goode said that this was a clear penalty and yellow card for Doris, with quite a few rugby fans baffled as to how the incident went unpunished.
Should be a penalty to Ospreys and a yellow card to Caelan Doris @Murray_Kinsella https://t.co/3CbTQUfgfD
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) May 13, 2024
In the previous two rucks he gave away clear penalty offences and the referee said 'No Caelan'.
Sound. https://t.co/KzSGK0aeiF— Conor Fletcher (@ConorFletcher5) May 13, 2024
This was the one where SGW repeatedly said “stop kicking it/don’t kick it”
Noted. https://t.co/kmd7yTfyeX— OspreysEyrie Podcast (@OspreysEyrie) May 13, 2024
Unbelievable bit of skulduggery. Can only applaud. https://t.co/RNzebYbYcu
— A-P (@rugby_ap) May 13, 2024
Hard not to admire this bit of skullduggery from Doris. A tiny wiggle of the foot. Maddening for the opposition I’m sure but then that’s the whole point. It’s the breakdown innit? https://t.co/AdmhMbDtPK
— Whiff of Cordite (@WhiffofCordite) May 13, 2024
I know it's cheating.
But it's the good kind. https://t.co/mq9j1bcSQY— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) May 13, 2024
Leinster have forged a reputation as a side who are willing to push the boundaries when it comes to their rucking in recent times, most notably in their recent Champions Cup semi-final victory over Northampton. On that occasion, it was suggested that the province benefitted from some rather favourable refereeing at the breakdown.
However, even Doris himself must have been surprised that he got away with this one.
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