NOT LION DOWN

Leinster refuse to be beaten as they fight back to preserve their incredible unbeaten run

Lions 36 Leinster 39

LEINSTER battled back from 15 points down to preserve their unbeaten United Rugby Championship record this season and secure a lastgasp victory over the Lions.

It was a cruel ending for the hosts who were exciting in attack and crossed for tries through Edwill van der Merwe, Gianni Lombard, Marius Louw and Francke Horn as well as being awarded a penalty try but the defeat was a blow to their play-off hopes.

Vakhtang Abdaladze, Liam Turner, Michael Milne, Rob Russell and Chris Cosgrave went over for Leinster as the Irish province secured a 16th win from 17 games.

It took Leinster just two minutes to open the scoring.

Abdaladze celebrated his first start for Leinster as he burst clear and had a 30-metre run to the line to touch down under the posts and Sam Prendergast added the conversion.