Leinster fend off Cardiff’s onslaught to claim points
LEO CULLEN would have enjoyed the view, however brief, as he looked down from the top of the Pro12 table last night.
The rookie Leinster coach has had a tough baptism, but even though his side occupied the top spot for a mere two hours before Connacht nipped back after their win in Parma, it was cheering for the province to be back where it believes it should always reside − and for the first time this season.
The game was the source of another headache for Wales coach Warren Gatland, with centre Cory Allen looking likely to be ruled out of the remainder of the RBS 6 Nations after suffering an ankle injury.
Allen was carried off on a stretcher early in the second half at the Arms Park.
The injury, should it prove as serious as it appeared, will further limit Gatland’s midfield options and comes as another blow to the four-cap centre who was ruled out of the World Cup after one game.
Isa Nacewa scored Leinster’s only try, but they had to withstand a late Cardiff onslaught after Josh Navidi crossed.
Cardiff welcomed back five Wales internationals including Alex Cuthbert and half-back pair Lloyd Williams and Gareth Anscombe.
The latter, son of the former Ulster coach Mark, opened the scoring after just four minutes with a penalty from Manoa Vosawai’s break.
Leinster started with six of the Ireland squad as well as a return from injury for Cian Healy.
The prop was part of an all-international front row that dominated the early set-piece exchanges and allowed Ian Madigan to level early.
Madigan was making his 140th appearance for the province but missed the chance to put Leinster ahead when his long-range effort struck the post.
It summed up Leinster’s first half as they struggled to make the most of playing with a fierce wind at their backs.
Fergus McFadden went close to scoring when he latched onto Madigan’s cross-field kick. Rhys Patchell did well to scramble across and forced the Ireland wing to drop the ball over the line.
It got worse for McFadden just a minute later when he was sinbinned for a dangerous tackle on Lloyd Williams.
Blues were reluctant to kick into such a strong wind but Alex Cuthbert led a piercing breakaway from under their own posts. Patchell and Williams carried over halfway before McFadden made his reckless challenge.
Anscombe, kicking into the wind, missed the resulting penalty, but Cardiff had the better of the first half until Madigan’s injury-time kick gave Leinster a 6-3 lead at the break.
Anscombe levelled early in the second half but the injury to Allen disrupted the hosts, who were forced to play Wales wing Tom James at centre, and Madigan converted a third penalty.
Neither side could craft an opening until Jack Conan slipped down the blindside of a maul before handing Nacewa an easy finish.
Navidi responded after Jordi Murphy was sin-binned but Patchell saw an injury-time drop-goal attempt charged down as Leinster held out. CARDIFF BLUES: Patchell, Cuthbert, Allen (James 46), Lee-Lo, Scully, Anscombe (Fish 52), L Williams (T Williams 69), T Davies (Thyer 49), Dacey (Rees 49), Ma’afu (Filise 49), Hoeata (Cook 69), Down, Turnbull, E Jenkins (Navidi 63), Vosawai. Scorers — Tries: Navidi. Cons: Patchell. Pens: Anscombe 2. LEINSTER: Kirchner, McFadden, Ringrose, Te’o, Nacewa, Madigan, Reddan, Healy (Dooley 67), Cronin (Strauss 44), Furlong (Ross 44), M Kearney (Denton 52), Triggs, Ruddock, Murphy, Conan. Scorers — Tries: Nacewa. Pens: Madigan 3. SIN BIN: McFadden (22), Murphy (71). REFEREE: J Fitzgibbon (IRFU)