Celtic League: Leinster Light Up Lansdowne

David Holwell kicked a perfect 20 points as Ireland internationals Shane Horgan and Denis Hickie both bagged a brace in Leinster’s 55-3 defeat of the Dragons at Lansdowne Road on Sunday.

Celtic League: Sunday, January 30
Leinster 55 Newport-Gwent Dragons 3, Lansdowne Road
Scorers: Leinster: Tries: Ben Gissing, Shane Horgan 2, Felipe Contepomi, Denis Hickie 2, Niall Ronan; Cons: David Holwell 7; Pens: Holwell 2
Dragons: Pen: Percy Montgomery

Coach Declan Kidney started with nine Ireland internationals as Leinster attempted to banish the memories of last weekend’s disappointing loss to the Borders – and banish them they did with a scintillating seven-try display.

Chris Anderson’s outfit were minus eight Wales stars, and were off-the-pace throughout, as hopes of a repeat of last May’s 95-point Dublin try fest quickly evaporated.

Once Leinster adjusted their lines of running, there was only ever going to be one winner.

With Brian O’Driscoll rested, all of Eddie O’Sullivan’s men coming through un-scathed, bar Horgan who was forced to ice his ankle when coming off in the second half.

It’s a clean bill of health though for Ireland, and a fresher outlook for Kidney’s men who have drawn within four points of second-placed Munster, with leaders the Ospreys yet to visit Lansdowne Road.

A crucial ten-minute period before the break ignited Leinster into action, following a meek opening in which Kiwi Holwell edged the penalty duel with South African Percy Montgomery, 2-1.

His fellow New Zealander Ben Gissing gained retribution on the flailing fists of the Dragons’ forwards – and in particular tighthead prop Chris Anthony who he was involved in a dust-up with – when driving over after a Malcolm O’Kelly lineout take on 34 minutes.

Three minutes later, Felipe Contepomi’s snappy midfield break helped Gordon D’Arcy send an arching pass out to the right for Horgan to fly in.

Holwell converted and chipped neatly through, with Dragons lock Neil Edwards in the sin-bin, for Contepomi to touch down in added time for a 27-3 break advantage.

Horgan, Denis Hickie (2) – running some delightful lines, and 22-year-old Lansdowne flanker Niall Ronan – bagging a cheeky 63rd-minute score, when collecting his own chip kick for his fifth try in 16 league appearances – stretched the Leinster advantage as they handed Newport-Gwent their heaviest defeat since they formed in 2003.

A heartening workout for Leinster in the end, in what was their penultimate outing at headquarters before April’s Heineken Cup quarter final against Leicester.

LEINSTER:

(15) Girvan Dempsey
(14) Shane Horgan
(13) Felipe Contepomi
(12) Gordon D’Arcy
(11) Denis Hickie
(10) David Holwell
(9) Guy Easterby
(1) Reggie Corrigan (Capt)
(2) Shane Byrne
(3) Emmett Byrne
(4) Ben Gissing
(5) Malcolm O’Kelly
(6) Ciaran Potts
(7) Niall Ronan
(8) Eric Miller

Replacements used: Aidan McCullen for Gissing (35 mins-half-time), Gary Brown for Horgan (46), Ricky Nebbett, David Blaney, Victor Costello, Brian O’Riordan, McCullen and David Quinlan for Corrigan, S Byrne, Ronan, Easterby, O’Kelly and D’Arcy (all 64)

Yellow card: Neil Edwards (Dragons)
HT: Leinster 27 Dragons 3; Attendance: 4,600
Referee: David Changleng (Scotland)