Returning winger Dave Kearney crossed for two tries in a man-of-the-match performance as Leinster finished as 40-14 bonus point winners away to Benetton Treviso this afternoon.
Leinster gradually saw off the hosts’ challenge at Stadio di Monigo, Rory O’Loughlin’s first-minute try from a kick over the top by Ross Byrne setting them on their way in this GUINNESS PRO12 clash.
Dave Kearney marked his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury in October with a brace after 24 and 27 minutes, helping the visitors to lead 21-7 at half-time. Second row Filo Paulo crossed for Treviso who had a good deal of first half pressure but not the scores to show for it.
Adam Byrne, notching Leinster’s bonus point in the 50th minute, and his opposite number Andrea Pratichetti swapped tries, before the province sealed the result with a Joey Carbery touchdown on his return from injury and a Bryan Byrne seven-pointer from a 71st-minute pack drive.
The maximum return keeps third-placed Leinster hot on the heels of the Ospreys – three points separate the sides in the play-off zone – ahead of next Friday’s encounter with Edinburgh at the RDS (kick-off 7.35pm).
Leo Cullen’s men got off to the ideal start in sunny conditions with O’Loughlin winning the race to out-half Byrne’s dinked kick, the clever move off a lineout catching the Italians out. The conversion was added by the young number 10.
Leinster had to absorb some Treviso pressure in the opening quarter, but they won a scrum against the head, Dan Leavy stole a lineout and winger Kearney beat a couple of defenders to get himself up to speed.
The hosts went close soon after, first forcing impressive full-back Zane Kirchner to cover a dangerous grubber kick and then Ross Byrne had to nail a one-on-one tackle on Andrea Pratichetti who had the try-line in his sights.
Back on the attack, Leinster showed how clinical they can be when Dominic Ryan pounced on a loose ball to send Ian Nagle away and the heavily-involved Jamison Gibson Park kept the move going. Leavy managed to retrieve possession and O’Loughlin fed Kearney to raid in from the left wing and score.
Kearney was certainly back with a bang, linking well with O’Loughlin to ghost past a covering defender and complete his quick-fire double in the left corner. Ross Byrne tagged on a superb touchline conversion to maintain his 100% record on the day.
Still, Treviso had something to show for their first half efforts when Leinster were caught offside and following a penalty kicked towards the corner, the home side forced their way over through the powerful Paulo, with familiar face Ian McKinley adding the extras from straight in front of the posts.
Michael Bent did well to win a scrum penalty as Leinster trotted off with a 14-point advantage, and some strong running from Leavy, Jack Conan and Adam Byrne swiftly got them into scoring range when play resumed.
Ireland Sevens international Byrne showed his finishing skills when he crossed out wide for his ninth try of the season, expertly converted again by Ross Byrne. But Treviso hung in there thanks to Pratichetti’s well-taken seven-pointer.
Having recovered from his recent ankle injury, Carbery replaced centre O’Loughlin for the final half an hour, and the province’s starting front row of Peter Dooley, stand-in captain Richardt Strauss and Bent was also called ashore after a classy collective performance in the scrum.
Leinster chipped away at the Treviso defence for Carbery to burrow over from close range and the same patient approach paid dividends entering the final 10 minutes. The hosts had Francesco Minto sin-binned and Leinster made them pay, a robust maul seeing replacement hooker Byrne touch down. Ross Byrne coolly converted to top off his 10-point contribution from the tee.
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