LEINSTER BREATHED A huge sigh of relief after beating Connacht 21 – 11 at the RDS tonight, after the 10-point gap between the sides was inflated by fortunate late try for Zane Kirchner.
After Connacht had pulled to within three points of the eastern province, Jimmy Gopperth aimed a penalty from midfield to the touchline.
The kick was within reach of winger Matt Healy, and he leaped, attempting to keep the ball alive rather than letting Leinster set up camp deep in the Connacht half.
Instead, he killed the game stone dead. The ball dropping perfectly for the chasing Springbok Zane Kirchner to collect and squeeze in for the late try.