18 Dec 2011

Leinster outclass Bath in Heineken Cup clash

1:02 pm on 18 December 2011

Defending Heineken Cup rugby champions Leinster have thrashed Bath 52-27 to go six points clear at the top of their group after four rounds of pool matches.

Leinster's classy display, which included seven tries, saw the Irishmen collect a four-try bonus point and effectively put one foot into the knockout stages. Leinster now top their pool with 16 points while Bath, who welcomed World Cup-winning All Black Stephen Donald after that tournament, are at the bottom with six.

It was the second time in a space of a week that Leinster had beaten the English side, though their performance was a huge improvement on Monday's scrappy 18-13 win.

The race to be best-placed runners up from the pool stages is already hotting up and Glasgow Warriors battled hard to finish level with Montpellier after a pulsating game which ended 13-13.

Glasgow face Leinster in that pool's fifth round fixture.