Carre leads fightback but Cardiff lack power

The home side weren’t able to reproduce that success but it was another committed effort from them after enduring a disastrous start.

- ROGER PANTING

LEINSTER maintained their impressive record against the Welsh regions with an eighth win in succession since losing to Cardiff in January 2002. 

Two-try Rhys Carre, Thomas Young and skipper, Liam Belcher, all furthered their causes to be included in the national squad and there were whole-hearted performances from Aled Summerhill and Willis Halaholo but ultimately Leinster’s forward power in the second half proved crucial.

The introduction of front-row replacements saw those players score three tries in 12 minutes to take the game away from their opponents, who had rallied to have a three-point lead.

Leinster also had sharp centres in Jamie Osborne and Harry Byrne but after trailing at the interval, they resorted to a more forward-orientated game to cement their place at the top of the league table.