Eight-try performance disguises some underlying weaknesses

Almost typical Leinster, you might say. Yet again they scaled thrilling heights in running in eight tries to take their tally to 23 - easily the highest in the tournament. A third try-scoring bonus point and fifth in all maintained their qualification hopes. But from both within and without there were misgivings aplenty.

Although, Munster-like, the rolling maul established an early platform, this was an often nervous and imprecise performance too, as evidenced by an early rush toward the bonus point (achieved by the 39th minute), and thereafter the pursuit of more tries, which would come into play if Leinster finished level on points with another second-placed side.

There were handling errors, over-ambitious plays, missed tackles and, again, a lack of sustained go-forward ball from the pack, while a 12-0 penalty count against them in the second half again exposed discipline problems at the breakdown particularly. Coach Michael Cheika attributed this to the over-eager desire to win turnover ball and look for tries.

"I think the team was a bit nervous," agreed Cheika. "No matter how many times you say 'don't think about it, don't talk about it', you can't help it. It's in everyone's head, players think about it, and it was a mental struggle for me to try and put it out of the back of my head.

"But one good thing: when you come out of a game where you have scored eight tries, and the dressingroom was a little bit sombre, that's a good sign in itself, because we know we have to improve if we want to win next week."

Leinster created all six first-half tries, though one misdirected pass by Brian O'Driscoll and three missed tackles on Rory Lamont invited Glasgow back into the game and reminded the 12,443 attendance of Leinster's capacity, for all their flair, to shoot themselves in the foot.

The concession of two late tries was an almost inevitable end-product of what Cheika conceded was a disappointing tendency to fall off tackles. And the penalty count is a particular concern given Bath are as dynamic if not as expansive as Glasgow.

The tries kept coming, even off scraps and when down to 14 men, and after Gordon D'Arcy ran back turnover ruck ball from the in-goal area, which almost resulted in a try over 100 metres up the pitch, it prompted assistant coach David Knox to enthuse that his backline can open up any team in Europe.

Inevitably the game lacked the intensity of, say, New Year's Eve when Munster rode into town. With Leinster starved of the ball, you could hear the crowd murmuring as they discussed their Saturday night entertainment.

Denis Hickie reflected that ultra-critical mood in the post-match dressingroom. "I thought it was average enough," he said. "It's easy to hide behind eight tries to three and say we won comfortably, but we set out a few things we wanted to do in this game and I don't think we really did a lot of them.

"Defensively we weren't great and we gave away a lot of penalties. Our general play isn't where it needs to be to win those really tight European Cup games. Luckily, we have another chance, but it really is last-chance saloon next week."

On the vastly tighter confines of the Rec, next week's confrontation will be an altogether different affair. Hickie and Leinster aren't under any illusions.

"We're playing a team who still have a lot to play for. They'll want to get home advantage (in the quarter-finals), and while they've run away with the group they're playing at home, with a big European crowd, so it's a big day for them, so we'll be really up against it. And obviously last year was a bit of a sickener for them, so there's a few different elements to the game, as you'd expect in the last round of the cup."

Hickie doesn't necessarily think it will be quite the clash of styles which is generally expected now that Brian Ashton has taken over. "They certainly played good rugby last night in beating Bourgoin and they scored some good tries, but I think while, obviously, we have to do our homework on them, I think we probably have to focus a bit more on what we're doing next week. You have to look after your own house, and we didn't quite do that tonight."

Jon Petrie, captain of the Glasgow side which has now played Bath and Leinster twice, reckons Leinster have a good chance, especially if, albeit a sizeable if, the Leinster forwards get their maul going and get their backs in behind the Bath defence.

"If they play like they did today I don't think they'll have too much to worry about."

So, given a free £100 bet, where would he place it? "Based on today's performance I would go for Leinster, but I think it will be a pretty close one across at the Rec anyway. It's a difficult place to go and win. But I think Leinster are a great side and it would be great to see them going further in the competition."