Connacht failed to turn a promising maul into a scoring chance and Leinster responded in decisive fashion, countering from deep with flair before Richardt Strauss' pass out of a tackle put Kearney over in the left corner.

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But that was the end of the Welsh region's scoring for the afternoon at the Parc des Sports Aguilera, digging deep to produce a defensive performance that largely kept Biarritz at bay.

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The six powerplay overs produced 65 runs for England and although Botha returned to briefly calm the scoring rate, he was frustrated when Kieswetter, on 29, lofted to deep mid-wicket where JP Duminy settled under the ball only to fumble the chance.

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De Villiers clearly felt the scoring needed to increase, however, and sacrificed his wicket in the 37th over, caught at deep mid-wicket, while Amla fell three short of the first century of the series when he feathered a catch to the keeper attempting another late cut.

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