Leinster stutter on way to bonus-point win v Dragons

After the rush of last weekend's thrilling opening weekend of the BKT United Rugby Championship, this was a sugar-crash.

Leinster got the job done to make it two bonus-point wins from two to start the season, but Leo Cullen’s side laboured their way to a 34-6 win against a plucky but limited Dragons at the Aviva Stadium.

Leinster’s first game of the season at their temporary home on Lansdowne Road drew a respectable attendance of 18,397, although it was a crowd that got lost in the expanses of a 50,000 seater stadium.

Those in attendance weren’t treated to a classic, as a mix of Leinster’s youth and experience meandered their way to a six-try win.

On a night where Cian Healy made a record 281st Leinster appearance, Jack Conan continued to impress as a stand-in captain. The number eight powered over for his side’s opening try of the night, and dragged his side along during an opening half in which they struggled for momentum.

Jimmy O’Brien also excelled, and it could have been a different night had he not come up with two big defensive moments during the first 40 minutes when the Dragons were opening up the Leinster backline.

Ross Byrne missed three of his five conversions on the night, but did come up with a try to give his side a 10-6 lead at the break.

Leo Cullen’s side looked more authoritative in the second half, with Max Deegan capping off an impressive outing with a try, before Joe McCarthy brought up the bonus-point on 64 minutes, while Jordan Larmour and Aitzol King padded out the score as the Dragons faded in the final quarter.

It was a remarkably sloppy beginning from the hosts, who spent the first five minutes pinned back in their own 22.

It began when Jordan Larmour was turned over in midfield, and a beautiful 50:22