Four second-half tries handed Leinster a bonus-point win over a resolute Edinburgh in the RDS on Friday evening. The win moves Leo Cullen's side five points clear at the top of the Pro12 table.
In a first half of few chances all the scores came from penalties. Jason Tovey gave the visitors the lead inside five minutes, before two Ian Madigan penalties within the next ten minutes handed Leinster a 6-3 lead.
Facing into a deceptively strong wind, Madigan kicked for the corner on numerous occasions when a kick at goal in calmer conditions would have been the obvious option. Both teams will have been annoyed with their handling, losing numerous opportunities throughout the half with knock-ons and missed passes.
Leinster's Josh van der Flier scores a try. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Both teams came out for the second half showing much more intent. It only took Leinster three minutes to find their first try of the game. Scrum-half Luke McGrath touched down under the posts after a Luke Fitzgerald break. Despite the early try, the Scottish side answered almost immediately through Tom Brown.
Leinster scored again on 51 minutes when Noel Reid intercepted a Edinburgh pass to send man-of-the-match Josh van der Flier under the posts. Just before the hour mark Fergus McFadden scored his first try to give the home side a 25-8 lead. That was to be Leinster's biggest advantage throughout the game.
Despite the deficit, Edinburgh replied again almost immediately through Mike Allen after the substitute intercepted a Madigan reverse pass. Leinster earned the bonus point with just over 15 minutes left in the game through McFadden to give Leinster a 30-15 lead.
A late try from substitute Sean Kennedy and a Sam Hidalgo-Clyne penalty gave Alan Solomons' side a late bonus point. Leinster return to action in a fortnight away to Ulster as they look to guarantee a home match in the Pro12 play-offs.
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