Leinster's dominant start to the BKT United Rugby Championship season has continued as the league leaders made it a perfect five bonus-point wins in a row with a 33-12 dismissal of Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium.
Just as they did to Munster at Croke Park a week ago, Leinster built their win on a fast start, scoring two tries in the opening quarter of an hour, and holding their hosts at arm’s length to comfortably see out victory.
The only blemish on for Leo Cullen’s side will be an ankle injury to Ciarán Frawley.
The out-half (below) trapped his ankle in a tackle in the build-up to his side’s second try, replaced by Ross Byrne, and with less than three weeks to go until Ireland host New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium, it will be also be a worry for Andy Farrell.
Connacht struggled to deal with the physicality and ball-handling skills of RG Snyman, with the South African lock scoring his side’s third try on the stroke of half time, while constantly releasing the ball in contact to keep his side on the front foot.
Jamie Osborne and Liam Turner’s tries were a just reward for Leinster’s dominant start, and while Connacht did reply with a score for Sean O’Brien, Snyman’s effort on the stroke of half time left them with too much to do after the break.
Much had been made of Leinster’s struggles to score in their second halves against Munster and Benetton, but the province needed just five minutes to extend their lead after the break when Max Deegan secured the bonus-point.
And while Connacht did reply with a Cathal Forde try on 64 minutes, Leinster killed off the game instantly as Andrew Osborne, younger brother of Jamie, raced in to cap off a big Interpro win.
Just as they did a week ago, Leinster came out hot, and when Snyman’s pass in
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