A HIGH FIVE FOR CHAMPS
Benetton Treviso 3 Leinster 31
LEINSTER moved five points clear at the top of Guinness Pro14’s Conference B with a routine win at Benetton.
The champions ran in five tries as they brushed aside the challenge from the Italians with ease.
The Dubliners needed just five minutes to register their first try when winger Adam Byrne got to Jamison Gibson-park’s clever kick to score his side’s first try, which went unconverted.
Benetton’s response was an Antonio Rizzi penalty in the 25th minute after a sustained period of play close to Leinster’s try line.
Leinster scored their second try four minutes later when James Tracy grounded the ball after Benetton failed to stop the visitors following a successful lineout and drive to the line. Ross Byrne converted to put the Blues 12-3 in front.
Conor O’brien replaced full-back Rob Kearney in the 46th minute and four minutes later he was in the right place at the right time to score his first senior try for Leinster. Byrne’s conversion made it 19-3. Andrew Porter secured Leinster’s bonus point with 20 minutes to play with a powerful charge over the line which Byrne converted.
Winger Joe Tomane made sure Leinster travel to South Africa for their clash with Kings next weekend in great form, scoring his side’s fifth try with five minutes to play.