Stormers boss admits 6-2 split 'backfired' against Leinster after injury to Libbok

While the Cape Town outfit trailed by only three points as the first half wound down, their fortunes would change dramatically when Springbok No 10 Libbok limped off the field two minutes before the break. The loss of their central playmaker would have been a big blow in any event, but the fact that Dobson had gone with a 6-2 split on the bench meant it left him without any flyhalf cover or a recognised goal kicker.

It was a blow the Stormers never recovered from, with Leinster scoring their second try just before half-time to take a 15-7 lead before turning the screws in the second half to run away with a 36-12 victory.

"You've got a world-class flyhalf and you're 10-7 down away and he goes off. That was a huge blow and I must take responsibility for not having another flyhalf on the bench," Dobson admitted after the match.

"We went for a six/two bench, and that gamble backfired badly for us. It was a big loss," he added.

As for the injury to Libbok, Dobson admitted the team did not yet how serious it was, although the flyhalf was able to play on for a while after sustaining it, which suggests it is not particularly severe.

Libbok was not the only injury the Stormers suffered on the night as lock JD Schickerling was also forced to leave the field.

"It's something to do with his AC joint," Dobson said. "I don't know how serious it is."

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