Sean Everitt says the Cell C Sharks got what they needed from their trip north despite ending their Vodacom United Rugby Championship mini tour with a heavy loss to Leinster.

The Sharks suffered a 54-34 defeat by Leinster in Dublin, conceding eight tries in the process. However, Everitt was happy to focus on the positives, mainly that the Durban side scored five tries of their own.

“The boys tried really hard, the effort was there, the energy they displayed on the field to fight to the end was really good. Unfortunately, individual errors cost us dearly,” Everitt told the Sharks website.

“We were up against a class outfit, [flyhalf] Johnny Sexton was world class and he put us under enormous pressure. But, in saying that, we’re really pleased to have scored five good tries, although we’re not happy to concede 50 points.”

The loss in Dublin came after the Sharks, playing without a host of Springboks, claimed narrow back-to-back wins over Dragons in Newport (20-19) and Zebre in Parma (42-37).

“There were aspects of the game that we have improved on since we played Zebre and the Dragons,” said Everitt. “Our goal for this tour was to come away with at least 10 points and we achieved that.”

The Sharks are back in Durban and are expected to bring back a number of stars when they host Glasgow Warriors on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors, coached by Franco Smith, are coming off a 35-21 victory over the Vodacom Bulls.

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