United Rugby Championship: Leinster prolong lead at prime with victory over Dragons

Leinster prolonged their lead on the prime of the United Rugby Championship desk to 11 factors with a cushty 43-14 bonus-point win over Dragons on the RDS in Dublin.

Tries within the second half from Jordan Larmour, Rob Russell and Charlie Tector sealed the win. Dragons’ solely rating of the second half got here from JJ Hanrahan.

Leinster keep their 100% league file whereas Dragons are only one place off the underside, having received solely three of their 14 video games.

Leo Cullen’s aspect have been lacking a bunch of Eire internationals as a result of Six Nations however welcomed again Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour and Jamie Osborne from Eire responsibility.

Wales worldwide Ross Moriarty returned from damage and was considered one of 5 modifications for Dragons since their final outing – a 28-42 loss at house to Glasgow final month.

Byrne bought his aspect off to the best begin inside the first 4 minutes, discovering a spot and stretching over earlier than changing his personal strive.

Dragons battled again, dominating territory and possession within the opening phases however may make little headway because of missed alternatives and errors at key moments.

In opposition to the run of play, McGrath intercepted an tried loop move and ran in 60 yards to increase the house aspect’s lead.

Dragons hit again minutes later following a spell of territory in Leinster’s 22, with Rhodri Williams sniping over in conjunction with a ruck to carry his aspect briefly inside touching distance.

Nonetheless, a quickfire double from flanker Ruddock and Byrne’s second strive of the sport gave Leinster a cushty lead on the break and secured a bonus level.

Within the second half, regardless of the comfy scoreline, Leinster struggled to search out their trademark fluency however defended properly and compelled errors from the Welsh aspect.

Regardless of not having fun with as a lot possession as normal, the hosts have been medical with the ball, as demonstrated by an opportunistic strive down an unguarded blindside from Larmour within the third quarter.

The guests have been finally rewarded for his or her spells of territory with a strive from JJ Hanrahan which proved to be scant comfort as Leinster responded with two late tries from substitutes Russell and Tector to cap off a cushty win.

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Jamie Osborne, Dave Kearney, Harry Byrne, Luke McGrath; Michael Milne, John McKee, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Brian Deeny, Rhys Ruddock (Capt), Scott Penny, Max Deegan.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jason Jenkins, Will Connors, Nick McCarthy, Charlie Tector, Rob Russell.

Dragons: Angus O’Brien, Sio Tomkinson, Steff Hughes, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams (Capt), Rhodri Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, Ben Fry, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: James Benjamin, Aki Seiuli, Chris Coleman, Sean Lonsdale, Ryan Woodman, Lewis Jones, JJ Hanrahan, Jordan Williams.