The Englishman, signed by former coach Matt Williams at the beginning of last season, has had little chance to shine since moving to Ireland from Wasps and finds himself behind Christian Warner and Felipe Contepomi in the race for the number 10 shirt.

But with Contepomi preparing for World Cup duty with Argentina and Warner starting at centre at Donnybrook tonight, Leek had his chance to shine.

And despite missing an early long-range effort he quickly settled down to run in Leinster’s first try in the sixth minute, which he then converted.

Leinster were in charge and in the 20th minute, scrum-half Brian O’Riordan broke the Welsh line to feed John McWeeney for a second try, again converted by Leek.

Gavin Henson got the Ospreys up and running with a penalty only for the visitors to lose Lyndon Bateman to the sin bin, Leinster compounding the error with a try from Des Dillon. Leek converted but two more Henson penalties kept Neath-Swansea in touch, 21-9, at half-time.

Elvis Sevalal’l closed the gap further with a try just after the restart only for Leek to chip in with a drop goal.

Again the Ospreys hit back, this time from Henson who converted his own try to bring the visitors to within three points of their hosts.

Leek again increased Leinster’s lead, however, with a penalty when flanker Steve Tandy was sin-binned for a deliberate offside.

The Ospreys did not give up and heaped the pressure on the home line but Leinster weathered the storm and won another penalty in the 78th minute which Leek took successfully before Warner made sure of victory with a fine solo run from inside his own half.