Two decisions swung this end-to-end tie in Leinster’s favour. John Connolly’s Premiership side failed to score off late scrum pressure in the first half before D’Arcy had a questionable 67th-minute try awarded despite the presence of Michael Lipman’s hand as he attempted to ground.

Alex Crockett’s try gave the visitors hope at 10-8 down at the break, but D’Arcy’s drop goal and try after the restart and a late effort from Horgan saw Declan Kidney’s men to a somewhat fortuitous 19-point success.

Already without elusive winger Brendon Daniel, Connolly also lost Springbok centre Robbie Fleck midway through the first half. The Australian’s misery was compounded by a blood injury to returning skipper Jonathan Humphreys.

Yet in the hooker’s 10-minute spell on the sidelines, Bath managed to swap tries with their hosts.

Holwell opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a penalty and his opposite number, Olly Barkley, missed his first chance at replying from out on the left wing. But Bath were level with a straight effort from Barkley after 20 minutes.

Hickie then claimed Leinster’s first try and his 14th in the competition’s history. Shane Jennings collected at a line-out and 28-year-old Hickie took advantage of Andrew Higgins’ slip to strip Chris Malone for pace at the left corner.

Holwell swept his touchline conversion over and Leinster looked comfortable. Two minutes later though, a Barkley up-and-under just past halfway saw Shane Horgan cough up possession and with full-back Girvan Dempsey hopelessly out of position, Fleck’s replacement Spencer Davey reacted brilliantly to set Crockett on a 40-metre dash to the right corner.

The 22-year-old, making his first start since damaging an ankle in the Premiership win at Harlequins last month, evaded poor challenges from Hickie and Leinster skipper Reggie Corrigan to send Bath in at the break 10-8 down.

Welsh referee Nigel Williams endured a busy second half as Bath’s forwards drew a series of offences from the home side.

But still Leinster maintained their advantage on the scoreboard and five minutes into the second period D’Arcy dropped a lengthy goal for 13-8.

Barkley and Holwell exchanged kicks around the hour mark but Brian O’Driscoll’s incisive play after 67 minutes saw D’Arcy, fed by the supporting Dempsey, barge past the tackle of Malone and look to ground the ball under Michael Lipman’s heavy challenge.

Television match official Robert Davies ruled in Leinster’s favour, and Holwell crowned an impressive display with another touchline conversion, before also converting Horgan’s 78th-minute try.