Leinster take control to put Dragons in their place

■ By SIMON THOMAS

Leinster ……….. 34pts

Tries: Conan 18, R Byrne 38, Deegan 47, J McCarthy 64, Larmour 69, King 81

Conversions: R Byrne 48, 65

Dragons ………….. 6pts

Penalties: Evans 25, 38

LEINSTER made it two bonus point victories from their opening two URC matches as they celebrated a special night for Ireland great Cian Healy at the Aviva.

Prop Healy set a new cap record for the province as he made his 281st appearance, surpassing the tally of Devin Toner, as the hosts backed up their 33-31 win away to Edinburgh in Round 1.

They were made to work hard by a competitive Dragons outfit in the first half, leading just 10-6 at the break, but then dominated the second period, ending up with six tries in all.

Skipper Jack Conan said: “We got it in the neck at half-time. The ruck stuff was terrible. But we showed up pretty well in the second half.

“It was nice to give Cian the day he deserved. It was such a momentous occasion for him. All the lads are incredibly proud of him and I’m glad we could do it for him and give him a win.”

Dragons coach Dai Flanagan said: “The effort was outstanding, the collision was a step forward, but, all credit to Leinster, they defended their 22 really well and, with the big game players they have got, they managed to squeeze us in the end.”

It was Flanagan’s men who made the brighter start, buoyed by last weekend’s dramatic late victory over the Ospreys. But they were reduced to 14 men when tighthead Chris Coleman was yellow carded on 16 minutes for head-on-head contact with opposite number Thomas Clarkson.

Leinster capitalised immediately with No.8 Conan stretching out to the line after the ball was moved left and they struck again just before the interval as fly-half Ross Byrne stepped over following a lineout maul drive.

The dogged Dragons had the final word in the half as No.10 Lloyd Evans landed a second penalty to cut the deficit to just four points.

But it was one-way traffic after the break, as the hosts monopolised territory and possession, with their power and cutting edge telling. Flanker Max Deegan – the player of the match – muscled his way over, while there was no stopping Ireland lock Joe McCarthy round the front of a lineout, with wings Jordan Larmour and Aitzol King also crossing, as TMO reviews twice led to contested scores being awarded.