BLUES GET UP TO SPEED

LEINSTER No8 Max Deegan said the province took time to get to grips with Zebre before building momentum for another bonus point PRO14 victory.

Reigning champions Scarlets await in a huge Champions Cup semi-final on 21 April at Aviva Stadium. And Benetton Rugby will be the next to try their luck against Leo Cullen’s in-form side.

But Leinster looked on top form as they secured a PRO14 play-off position with seven tries despite a disappointing first-half at the RDS.

Fresh off their quarter- final win over reigning champions Saracens in Europe last weekend Leinster were 12-3 in front at halftime after tries from James Lowe and Rory O’loughlin (below).

Zebre looked dangerous but Deegan scored a crucial try on the resumption and he also added the bonus point effort on the hour. There were further tries from Lowe, Vakh Abdaladze and Bryan Byrne but the winning margin flattered the hosts.

“I don’t think it was one of our best performances. They are always going to come out strong and come out fit but we started to match their fitness. We had lacked that in the first-half,” said Deegan. LEINSTER:

Leinster 41 Zebre 6

ZEBRE: