Carberry crosses for two on return

FLY-HALF Duncan Weir says next Friday’s home clash against Cardiff Blues is a must-win for Edinburgh after they suffered their third successive loss to Irish opposition.

A failure to turn possession into scores when on top in the opening half proved costly as Leinster, despite a pile of injuries, took command after the restart.

“Being 25 points away from the Leinster scoreline is disappointing,” said Weir. “The first-half was hugely positive but we let ourselves down with our error count. The Cardiff game’s huge, it is a match we have to win.”

Edinburgh were just 8-3 adrift at the break but should have been ahead, with Tom Brown, albeit having picked up a knock which forced him to retire at the break, butchering a clear run to the line just before the interval.

Leinster, having lost flanker Josh van der Flier to a serious looking shoulder injury, took over after the restart with winger Barry Daly getting his second try to secure the bonus point in the third quarter.

In between, fly-half Joey Carbery sent out a timely message to Ireland coach Joe Schmidt that he is fully recovered from his ankle injury and crowned his first start with two superb tries.

The rout was completed by the impressive Dan Leavy and prop Michael Bent, with Weir getting Edinburgh’s only try in between.

Leinster coach Leo Cullen said: “It was a difficult match with all the injuries but I was pleased with the way we took control in the second-half.