Leinster hosted the Dragons RFC on Friday evening at the Aviva Stadium in a URC Round 2 fixture, and after a close first half, Leinster cruised to a 34-06 six-try bonus point win.
The Dragons RFC dominated initial play, however, following a yellow card to the Dragons Leinster attacked with purpose which saw captain Jack Conan score the first try of the match following some brilliant handling and interplay by Leinster to lead 05-00 after twenty minutes of play.
A converted penalty by the Dragons', Lloyd Evans was the only points scored by the Dragons. With time almost up Leinster attacked from a five-meter lineout maul from which quick hands led to a great try by Ross Byrne. A second converted penalty by Lloyd Evans cut Leinster's lead to 10-06 which was the score at the halftime break.
Connacht were the dominant side in the second half and a try by Max Deegan was just a reward for Leinster's dominance. With twenty-four minutes to play Leinster led 17-06.
Leinster scored their bonus point try when hooker Gus McCarthy scored off the back of a five-meter lineout maul to extend their lead to 24-06 and fifteen minutes to play.
Leinster added tries by Jordan Larmour and Aitzol King during the final fifteen minutes of play to secure an "easy" 34-06 bonus point win.
Scorers:
Leinster Rugby: Tries: Jack Conan, Ross Byrne, Max Deegan, Gus McCarthy, Jordan Larmour, Aitzol King. Conversions: Ross Byrne (2).
Dragons RFC: Penalties: Lloyd Evans (2)
Teams
Leinster Rugby: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Liam Turner, 12 Charlie Tector, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan (c), 7 Will Connors, 6 Max Deegan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Brian Deeny, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Cian Healy. Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Aitzol King.
Dragons RFC: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Harry Wilson, 12 Steff Hughes, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Lloyd Evans, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 7 Harri Keddie, 6 Ryan Woodman, 5 George Nott, 4 Ben Carter (c), 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 1 Rodrigo Martinez. Replacement: 16 Oli Burrows, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Luke Yendle, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 George Young, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Joe Westwood, 23 Ewan Rosser.