LEINSTER RECORDED THEIR first win of the new season but didn’t have it all their own way as Cardiff Blues gave the hosts a run for their money at the RDS this evening.
After defeat to Edinburgh last weekend, tonight’s result will come as a relief to newly installed coach Leo Cullen as he gets his first win under his belt.
It wouldn’t have been easy viewing for Cullen from the coaching booth as he watched his side huff and buff for large periods before eventually muscling their way past the Blues.
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The home side led 10-9 at the break after Jack Conan’s try but Rhys Patchell’s boot was keeping Cardiff in the contest and two second-half penalties saw the Welsh side take the lead with just 20 minutes remaining.
Josh van der Flier was man of the match. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
But Isa Nacewa’s third penalty of the evening – which saw him move past 400 points for the province – and a late penalty try created daylight between the sides and was ultimately enough for Leinster to see the job home.
Leinster: Isa Nacewa (capt); Garry Ringrose, Ben Te’o, Noel Reid, Fergus McFadden; Cathal Marsh, Luke McGrath; Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon, Jamie Hagan; Ross Molony, Mike McCarthy; Dominic Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Cardiff Blues: Dan Fish; Aled Summerhill, Tom Isaacs, Gavin Evans, Owen Jenkins; Rhys Patchell, Tavis Knoyle; Sam Hobbs, Kristian Dacey, Craig Mitchell; Jarrad Hoeata, James Down; Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi (capt), Manoa Vosawai
Leo Cullen earns first win but Leinster made to work by resilient Cardiff
Leinster 23
Cardiff 15
LEINSTER RECORDED THEIR first win of the new season but didn’t have it all their own way as Cardiff Blues gave the hosts a run for their money at the RDS this evening.
After defeat to Edinburgh last weekend, tonight’s result will come as a relief to newly installed coach Leo Cullen as he gets his first win under his belt.
It wouldn’t have been easy viewing for Cullen from the coaching booth as he watched his side huff and buff for large periods before eventually muscling their way past the Blues.
The home side led 10-9 at the break after Jack Conan’s try but Rhys Patchell’s boot was keeping Cardiff in the contest and two second-half penalties saw the Welsh side take the lead with just 20 minutes remaining.
But Isa Nacewa’s third penalty of the evening – which saw him move past 400 points for the province – and a late penalty try created daylight between the sides and was ultimately enough for Leinster to see the job home.
Leinster: Isa Nacewa (capt); Garry Ringrose, Ben Te’o, Noel Reid, Fergus McFadden; Cathal Marsh, Luke McGrath; Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon, Jamie Hagan; Ross Molony, Mike McCarthy; Dominic Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Cardiff Blues: Dan Fish; Aled Summerhill, Tom Isaacs, Gavin Evans, Owen Jenkins; Rhys Patchell, Tavis Knoyle; Sam Hobbs, Kristian Dacey, Craig Mitchell; Jarrad Hoeata, James Down; Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi (capt), Manoa Vosawai
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
It was a bad day at the office for Ulster as they suffered defeat in Wales
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Guinness PRO12 Leinster Cardiff Blues Up and Running