The 28-year-old speedster grabbed his first league try since October 2002 as Declan Kidney’s side held too much in reserve for the rock bottom Scots.

Hickie’s 37th minute effort put Leinster into a lead they failed to relinquish as centre-cum-winger Gary Brown helped himself to three of the home side’s six tries.

Despite an early touch down from skipper Paul Thomson and a brace of penalties from New Zealander Charlie Hore, Steve Bates’ visitors were totally out-classed.

A shaky Leinster start was exemplified by fly half Brian O’Meara who screwed two first half penalties wide, with the Galashiels side in the ascendancy.

Following a concerted spell for the Borders, loosehead prop Thomson stretched over for a seventh minute try, converted by Hore, the older brother of All Black hooker Andrew.

Hore, shifted to inside centre, exchanged penalties with O’Meara before keeping the Scots 10 clear with his third successful kick on 19 minutes.

O’Meara booted Leinster back within a converted score at six minutes later, and thereafter the try-fest began.

A crooked scrum feed from Johnny Weston, Borders’ replacement for Scottish international Chris Cusiter, saw Victor Costello tap and barge clear.

A quick step from Christian Warner saw Hickie offload for 24-year-old Brown to notch his first on 28 minutes.

O’Meara missed the touchline convert and allowed Argentinian international Felipe Contepomi to break his season’s duck as he added the extras to Hickie’s try, after a superb jinking run from the Leinster full-back.

Contepomi tagged on an injury time penalty for a 21-13 half-time advantage.

The South American centre then right-footed a second penalty two minutes after the restart.

A quick Hickie lineout and cross-field kick from Warner saw James Norton in for his second try in two games on 45 minutes.

Any lingering chance of a Borders comeback was relieved as Hore drifted their final scoring attempt wide, and watched helplessly as a Hickie left wing break put Brown under the posts for a 34-13 lead.

A midfield intercept from prop Emmet Byrne was rushed to Hickie and again Brown was the receiver as Leinster ran riot with a fifth try on the hour.

With the bonus point and Leinster’s six-game unbeaten record preserved, Norton darted over again in injury time to send the Scots home with their 10th straight league loss.