Third Win For McEntee’s Leinster Side

Colin McEntee's men began the game with good intensity and dominated territory early on, with out-half Ian McKinley marshalling affairs. The hosts' early pressure was rewarded with a 15th minute try from Andrew Conway.

The fleet-footed winger took a superbly-timed pass to sprint clear of the Warriors defence and touch down under the posts, following an initial break by John Cooney.

McKinley slotted home the conversion to make it 7-0. The visitors had a chance to reduce the deficit but Willie Walker's penalty attempt struck the upright three minutes later, however he made amends with a penalty in the 21st minute.

With Jack McGrath and Ciaran Ruddock putting in strong shifts around the pitch, Leinster looked composed and solid in defence.

But, as the half neared its conclusion, Worcester hooker Ed Shervington touched down after a clearance kick was blocked down to give the visitors a 10-7 lead after Walker added the extras.

In the 38th minute McKinley levelled the sides with a sweetly-struck penalty, but Worcester skipper Adam Balding crashed over in the last move of the half to give his side a 15-10 half-time advantage.

Leinster started the second half brightly. Replacement Eoin Sheriff,  who came on for the injured Rhys Ruddock, swooped and gathered a lineout inside the Warriors half to race in unopposed for the province's second try.

McKinley’s pinpoint conversion saw Leinster regain the lead after 42 minutes.

Conway bagged his second try of the afternoon four minutes later. A Niall Morris burst put Worcester under pressure, and Brendan Macken took the ball on before offloaded for the supporting Conway to score. McKinley slotted home the conversion at the Wesley end.

Walker's 65th-minute penalty reduced Leinster's lead to six points, but replacement Michael Keating claimed Leinster's bonus point try when he took a neat delivery from Jordi Murphy to race in and score.

McKinley added the difficult touchline conversion before prop McGrath's excellent all-round display was rewarded with a try when he broke through Worcester's tiring defence, following a good passing move.

McKinley's successful conversion brought his personal tally up to 13 points, and Worcester had the final say courtesy of winger Andy Short's late try.

Leinster's third win in four Pool A games has them second in the table, a point behind the unbeaten Cornish Pirates. Currie, who have lost their opening two games, are next up for McEntee's charges at Donnybrook next Sunday (kick-off 2pm).