Perhaps this old dog could learn some new tricks

DASCHUND, Beagle, Bulldog, Alsatian, Wolfhound, Terrier they're all great looking dogs.

- DEREK FOLEY

But while Leinster continue to flaunt their fine pedigree, have they forgotten that sometimes it is the hungry mongrel who has the right instincts for the deathly scrap? Because when they needed to get over the line, the ball over the posts, the tie to overtime, they were all catwalk runways without sensible shoes.

Turning down kickable penalties was merely a fashion with a gun, my friends.

Such are rugby's mechanics of scoring, such is the value of place-kicking opportunities in the last quarter, that decision-making has to be taken away from those who think tries are the only way to win games.

Ross Byrne had only just come for the penalty out on the right but both he and Sam Prendergast were on for the 80th-minute one on the left - more or less from the spot Prendergast had kicked the James Lowe try conversion.

Leinster had six points on offer via the tee and they, twice, went for fiveeven Junior Cert maths students or low grade chess players can figure this out.

The deal here is very simple. Skipper Caelan Doris was off the pitch, Jack Conan was doing stand-in armband but was caught looking to the sideline.

Not sure what that was about given 2023 World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber watched South Africa lose to Ireland at the pool stage because they didn't take their kicks before penalties won each of their three knockout games in France by a point.