Leinster v Cardiff

Cardiff's hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs took a dent as they were annihilated by a relentless Leinster side in Dublin.

“The back row battle will be crucial; we can’t let them win that gain line battle or it will make turnovers very difficult to come by. Byrne added the extras but Leinster weren't prepared to take their foot off the gas. Kristian Dacey touched down for Cardiff's second try after a period of sustained pressure but Leinster centre Turner rubbed further salt into the Welsh club's wounds with the home side's sixth try. You have to mix things up, get your game going and fire some shots early on. It took Leinster a mere seven minutes to open the scoring with powerful No2. Harry Byrne adds the extras. With the conditions making it tough, Cardiff's defence tired with McGrath spotting a hole to race over from 25 metres out for his second try. He was eventually hauled down but it was a warning of things to come. There's only one team in this. There's only one side in this. A powerful carry from Deegan who offloaded to Liam Turner put them on the front foot before Rhys Ruddock charged forward. But even so, this was a poor show from the Welsh club.

Leinster remain unbeaten in the league and Europe this season after a bonus-point victory over Cardiff.

Leinster had called for a penalty try, but referee Jaco Peyper was happy there had been sufficient cover on the wing. "We showed a bit of heart at the end to come back, but I don't think we can tap ourselves on the back, I am hugely disappointed." "The conditions were difficult out there so it was hard for Cardiff to chase the game when they were behind." But it was Leinster who had the final say of the game, Turner picking up a loose ball to run in a sixth try and round off an impressive evening for the youngsters. Cardiff enjoyed a rare spell of possession when back to a full complement and began to threaten Leinster's tryline, but the defence repelled the initial attack. Leinster celebrated a third try when a sniping McGrath took advantage of a gaping hole around the ruck to cross on the half-hour mark.