Try-scorer: Brian O'Driscoll
Related links
Teams
Also see
Leinster gained some much-needed momentum ahead of their Heineken Cup title defence with a 30-21 PRO12 success over Munster on Saturday.
In an exceptional first half of rugby, it was the hosts that edged to a 20-14 lead through tries from Richardt Strauss and Ian Madigan, with 10 points coming from the boot of Jonny Sexton.
Munster responded through a Peter O'Mahony touchdown and three Ronan O'Gara penalties, but a further Sexton three-pointer and a Brian O'Driscoll try sealed the victory, despite Conor Murray's consolation score.
Although the visitors resided in third position heading into the encounter, just one point separated them and their opponents in a tightly contested league.
As ever with these intense derbies, the match started at a ferocious pace with the hosts striking early on through Strauss after several phases of pressure. It was the ideal opening, particularly after their shock 34-6 hammering to minnows Connacht last week.
However, the Limerick-based outfit were also looking to bounce back from a 30-15 defeat to the Ospreys and they responded immediately from O'Mahony's touchdown.
O'Gara then fired Munster ahead with a penalty before Sexton responded with one of his own. The battle between Ireland's two 10s continued when the away side's fly-half slotted his second three-pointer of the evening to take the score to 11-10 in their favour.
But another close-range converted try from Madigan meant Leinster retook the lead before the respective fly-halves traded penalties as the Dublin team led 20-14 at the break.
Despite the second period continuing with attacking, ball-in-hand rugby, it was initially all done by one side as the hosts controlled proceedings.
Sexton added a penalty and O'Driscoll finished superbly as they moved clear.
To their credit, Munster fought back and were unperturbed by Damian Varley's sin-binning. After the hooker returned, Murray touched down in the corner, Ian Keatley converting, to give them hope. However, they couldn't force the losing bonus-point.
The scorers:
For Leinster:
Tries: Strauss, Madigan, O'Driscoll
Con: Sexton 3
Pen: Sexton 3
For Munster:
Tries: O'Mahony, Murray
Con: Keatley
Pen: O'Gara 3
Leinster: 15 Ian Madigan, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Isa Nacewa, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip (capt), 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Damian Browne, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 John Cooney, 22 Noel Reid, 23 Fionn Carr.
Munster: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Doug Howlett (capt), 13 Keith Earls, 12 Casey Laulala, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Sean Dougall, 6 Dave O'Callaghan, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Billy Holland, 20 Peter Butler, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 James Downey.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Television match official: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)
Assessor: Jack Sheehan (Ireland)
Comments
shbennett says...
Kid_diablo, I spelt his name phonetically, I joined up here to place an read comments on rugby if you want to correct spelling, etc join an academia website or get a life one or the other
Posted 20:56 07th October 2012
curates_egg says...
For Leinster the bigger picture here is clearly the players leaving the field. 4 more injuries heaped on an injury-ravaged squad. Nacewa and Conway look certain to be out of next weekend's game. McLaughlin also a doubt (no H-Cup quality back-up for him left either). Hopefully, BOD's sprain is not too bad. After the luck Leinster had last season, this season is the polar opposite.
Posted 19:47 07th October 2012
Sincero says...
How do you like *them* turnips?
Our Strauss: in the middle of our pack!
Who let Mad Dog out?: Who?! Who!? Who?!
Brian O'Driscoll: Jesus in disguise?
Athenry: still in Galway.
Derby: WON!
Posted 13:40 07th October 2012
papachinzo says...
Good win for Leinster, just the bump they needed to get their season up and running. All they need to sort out is their current injury epidemic!
As for Munster, O'Gara is obviously a political choice, but I really don't understand why they insist on playing Earls at 13...
Posted 13:36 07th October 2012
kid_diablo says...
@shbennett: "Lua Lua" ? are you really too lazy to scroll up one roll of your mouse wheel to check the guys real name ?
Posted 12:14 07th October 2012
shbennett says...
Even though Munster looked well beaten up this week and last, Penney is still experiment with formations, needs to get the balance in the forwards right. As much as I admire everything that O'Gara has achieved defences are set for him-Keatley makes defences less certain and makes Munster less predictable, I'd restore Downey alongside Lua Lua and move Earls to full back-Munster were a far better team when both Keatley and Downey came on, I was not a big Keatley fan but I think this year he is coming on a bundle as are a number of other players-progress is being made but we need to be patient, again Lua Lua had some beautiful offloads, other players should take note and stop looking for contact all the time
Leinster more than deserved the victory
Posted 08:16 07th October 2012
GCP_JONES says...
Leinster still not at the races,good game,best derby match between them since the Rabo final at Thomond in 2010,.
Good scores (bad call by the ref denied Munster a third). Earls at centre and O'Gara not working (a Kidney tactic me-thinks).If Deccie does take anything from the game he should be looking at O'Mahony at No8.
We'll are so light weight at second row Joe should give Brad a call.
Posted 21:19 06th October 2012
melkdave says...
Well the game was enjoyable ,espically in the 1st quarter,alot of points scored by both teams.But worrying that they both struggled at the restarts.A good fightback from Munster ,but overall Leinster deserved the win imo
Posted 20:53 06th October 2012