Leinster escape with victory despite furious Zebre comeback

Leinster were left clinging on for a 33-29 United Rugby Championship victory over Zebre Parma in Italy after last season's bottom side threatened to pull off their first victory over the Irish province.

Zebre ended the inaugural URC campaign with only one win to their name but they pushed Leinster – who topped the overall standings last term – all the way at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi thanks to an excellent second-half display.

Tries from Luke McGrath, Rhys Ruddock (2) and Jason Jenkins had given Leinster a 28-10 half-time lead and a try bonus, with Richard Kriel and Pierre Bruno touching down for the home side.

Simone Gesi and MJ Pelser crossed early in the second period as the deficit was reduced to 28-22 and the margin was down to four after Zebre responded to Dave Kearney’s unconverted try with a Franco Smith touchdown.

Zebre pushed for an unlikely victory but had to settle for a pair of bonus points in the end, along with a performance that will give them huge encouragement heading into the rest of the season.

Zebre have made it a four-point game as Leinster concede a fifth try in Parma Watch live on @RTE2 & @RTEplayer #rterugby #ZEBvLEI #URC pic.twitter.com/cUcNu4y3uw

McGrath went over from close range after six minutes as Leinster dominated the opening exchanges, with Ross Byrne adding the conversion.

Ruddock then powered his way through a number of Zebre bodies to add Leinster’s second as the clock hit 20 minutes.

Byrne again added the extras and Zebre then lost captain David Sisi to the sin bin for an accumulation of infringements by the home side.

Ruddock burrowed his way over as Leinster quickly made the extra man count – Byrne again splitting the posts – but out of nowhere Zebre produced a try of real quality.

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