Rampant Leinster thrash Wasps in Champions Cup opener

Luke McGrath and James Lowe scored twice as Leinster began their European Champions Cup title defence with a 52-3 thrashing of Wasps.

The Irish province won the competition for the fourth time in May and they began their bid for an unprecedented fifth in style on Friday, earning a bonus-point home triumph.

Leinster were comfortable from start to finish, opening the scoring with Sean Cronin’s early try and only seeing their progress checked by an 11th-minute penalty from Lima Sopoaga.

The next try did not come until McGrath crossed after the clock ticked past 40 in the opening period, but Leinster were rampant from then on as Lowe touched down two minutes after the restart.

McGrath went over once more and Lowe followed, before Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw and Jack McGrath got tries in a sensational seven-minute spell to cap the scoring late on.

Leinster take on Toulouse on the road next, while Wasps will hope to bounce back at home to Bath.

FULL-TIME! What a way to start the title defence! #LEIvWAS pic.twitter.com/iNVMc9VkrA

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 12, 2018

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