FIVE STAR LEINSTER OFF TO A WINNING START
Leo Cullen’s side put mounting injury problems aside with convincing win at Dragons in season opener
LEINSTER’S bid to end a threeyear trophy drought got off to a winning start as Leo Cullen’s side recorded a convincing 39-16 win over Newport Gwent Dragons in their Pro14 season opener at Rodney Parade.
Gavin Henson, making his first appearance as a Welsh regional player in five years, marked his return with three penalties while the Dragons were also awarded a penalty try.
However, Leinster controlled the game and had established a 13-6 lead by half-time after scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park scored a try, converted by fly-half Ross Byrne —who also kicked two penalties.
The visitors, who are coached by former Leinster man Bernard Jackman, also had a penalty try and touchdowns from highly-rated young wing Jordan Larmour, flanker Dan Leavy and Byrne’s replacement, Cathal Marsh. Byrne added the extras twice and Marsh converted his own try.
Despite a host of injuries, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was able to select a starting 15 packed with international stars, with Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Devin Toner, Rob Kearney and Josh van der Flier all lining out for the Blues, while former Leinster man Zane Kirchner made his competitive debut for the home side.
35-year-old Henson — who had spells at London Welsh, Bath and Bristol after leaving Cardiff Blues in 2012 — opened his account with a 30-metre penalty early on and the signs were favourable for the Welsh region against last season’s beaten play-off semi-finalists, who withdrew both Jordi Murphy and Fergus McFadden from their matchday squad.
Murphy was due to start but was pulled as a precaution with a knock to his knee, whereas McFadden was unable to train fully during the week because of a calf strain.
Leinster, who ran out 54-22 winners at Rodney Parade just over six months ago, found their feet with territorial advantage for the rest of the half.
They gained parity with Byrne’s first penalty and went ahead when Gibson-Park dived around the corner of a scrum on the home line and evaded an attempted tackle by hooker Elliot Dee for a try that Byrne converted.
Henson booted his second penalty but, in the final minute of a relatively tame first half, Byrne restored the seven-point lead with another penalty.
Leinster imposed their authority early in the second half as summer signing Scott Fardy caught the ball from an attacking line-out that resulted in a surge and a yellow card for Dragons second row Matthew Screech after he pulled down the ruck with a touchdown inevitable.
Referee Mike Adamson ran between the posts for the penalty try, which is not converted these days as it is taken for granted.
Henson kicked his third penalty but Leinster went further ahead when Larmour strolled in unopposed from 10 metres.
Cullen then decided to ring the changes, and Isa Nacewa continued to lead by example for the visitors with some deft kicks and Leavy sealed the result with a simple runin near the posts.
The Dragons were awarded a penalty try when Ashton Hewitt was high tackled by Adam Byrne but Leinster finished on top when Marsh was at the back of a drive over the line — and he added the extras himself.
Next up for Leinster is a home clash against Cardiff Blues — who lost 20-10 at home to Edinburgh on Friday night — at the RDS on Friday.