SCOTT FARDY admits he is very impressed by Leinster’s strength in depth this year.
The Blues, with only three of Ireland’s World Cup squad starting, crushed Connacht 42-11 in Galway on Friday night.
And Aussie veteran Fardy reckons the fringe players are giving coach Leo Cullen plenty to think about ahead of next Saturday’s Champions Cup opener at home to Treviso.
Leinster lost Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw to illness before kick-off but Jimmy O’Brien, who travelled as the 24th man, slotted in superbly in only his sixth start. Fardy said: “Jimmy was not expecting to play and he came on at No 13 and put in a great performance.
“Everyone is playing well. There are tough decisions this week for Leo, as there are every week.
“The boys want to keep putting their best foot forward and be there every week. It is a very competitive group and we are really enjoying it.”
HAPPY WITH THE RESULT
The PRO14 champions secured the bonus point inside 30 minutes to make it six wins on the spin — five with bonus points.
Fardy, 35, added: “This is always a tough place to come so we are really happy with the result and the first-half performance especially. We had a really good training week before coming down here.”
Andrew Porter and promising hooker Ronan Kelleher got a brace of tries each before the superb Ross Byrne and a James Lowe intercept finished the job.
Stephen Fitzgerald pulled back a try for Connacht but to crown a miserable night the home side lost prop Finlay Bealham and Seán O’Brien to injury.
MOST READ IN SPORT
And back rower Paul Boyle admitted it was a chastening experience.
He said: “We just have to start all over again, correct the things that didn’t work and get ready for Montpelier here in the Champions Cup next Sunday.”
SCORERS – Connacht: try, S Fitzgerald; pens, J Carty, D Leader. Leinster: tries, A Porter 2, R Kelleher 2, R Byrne, J Lowe; cons, R Byrne 6.