Second-half tries propel Leinster to five-point lead

Leo Cullen's men extended their lead at the top of the table to five points.

Second-half tries propel Leinster to five-point lead

Leinster 30 Edinburgh 23

Four second-half tries propelled Leinster to a 30-23 Guinness PRO12 bonus point win over Edinburgh at the RDS.

Leo Cullen's men extended their lead at the top of the table to five points, but a late penalty from Sam Hidalgo-Clyne earned Edinburgh a deserved losing bonus point.

Two Ian Madigan penalties cancelled out Jason Tovey's third-minute opener as Leinster led 6-3 at half-time, a poor return given Edinburgh flanker Jamie Ritchie's 33rd-minute sin-binning.

But tries from Luke McGrath and Josh van der Flier, either side of a Tom Brown effort, catapulted the league leaders clear and Fergus McFadden's double had the bonus point secured with 17 minutes left.

Replacement Mike Allen squeezed in an intercept effort for the visitors, who ended the game strongly with another five-pointer from Sean Kennedy and Hidalgo-Clyne's closing penalty.

A high-tempo start saw Tovey boot Edinburgh in front before he was pinged for not rolling away and Madigan levelled matters. Luke Fitzgerald and Ben Te'o initiated a break down the left wing that was eventually rewarded with three more points.

Tovey then missed out on an intercept try as play was called back for a prior knock-on, while Leinster's midfield axis of Te'o and Noel Reid increased their ball-carrying threat.

Edinburgh's well-organised defence held firm though, winning a couple of key ruck penalties in their 22 after multi-phase Leinster moves.

However, having got a team warning, Edinburgh lost teenage forward Ritchie to the sin bin for infringing at the breakdown. Again, the visitors managed to frustrate Leinster who fell short with a couple of promising mauls.

The fit-again Rob Kearney, enjoying his first appearance in blue since January, was making some purposeful runs, and the breakthrough finally came in the 43rd minute. Madigan's flat pass back inside released Fitzgerald through the middle and he ran hard up into the 22 before sending the supporting McGrath in under the posts.

However, Madigan's conversion was followed by a quick response from Edinburgh as Tovey's long pass looped over McFadden and allowed Brown to finish smartly in the left corner.

Tovey's conversion attempt fell short and he blundered when missing touch from a penalty. Replacement Kennedy's subsequent pass was intercepted by Reid who offloaded for man-of-the-match Van der Flier to race through for a real sucker-punch score, converted by Madigan.

Leinster soon sucked in enough Edinburgh defenders for Reid and Fitzgerald to pass wide and send winger McFadden over in the right corner.

Allen read a short Madigan pass to claw seven points back, but McFadden brilliantly barged over past Blair Kinghorn and WP Nel for his second try of the night.

Poor defending, with Devin Toner particularly guilty, allowed Kennedy clean through from a ruck in the 70th minute, and Edinburgh's high level of endeavour - typified by a terrific Damien Hoyland break - saw them close them gap to seven thanks to Hidalgo-Clyne's close-range strike.

more courts articles

Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape
Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother

More in this section

Ospreys v Munster - United Rugby Championship Kendellen: Munster can't underestimate Cardiff threat
2015 Super Rugby: Cell C Sharks v Western Force Springboks legend John Smit says 'phenomenal' URC has proved doubters wrong
Joe McCarthy 25/3/2024 Cullen names raft of international returnees in side to face Bulls
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited