O'Meara kick-starts Leinster's resurgence

Leinster may have suffered a fitful opening 40 minutes but not even the most fickle supporter could quibble with their performance in the second half.

Leading 12-11 at the interval they produced a high-quality post-interval display to rack up 27 unanswered points.

If the backs took the try-scoring plaudits, it was the forwards who created the opportunities with a powerful and cohesive performance from the eight.

Scrumhalf Brian O'Meara kicked 24 points as the visitors were made to pay dearly for any transgression.

Leinster's application was spot on in the first half but the accuracy of execution was a little awry at times. The understanding at the line-out was somewhat off-kilter and contrived to stymie several decent attacking positions.

Fortunately, scrumhalf O'Meara was in excellent form, kicking four penalties from as many opportunities.

Wings Denis Hickie and Gordon D'Arcy offered examples of their attacking prowess, while Shane Horgan ran strongly in the centre.

Andy Dunne settled down well at outhalf after a hesitant start and up front there was no lack of willing ball carriers. Kieran Gleeson enjoyed an outstanding debut at openside, turning over possession on a couple of occasions and having the pace and good angles to support the runner.

Glasgow looked dangerous from broken play, illustrated by the try which captain Andy Nicol grabbed in the first half. Outhalf Tommy James added a couple of penalties. Matt Williams half-time briefing had the desired effect; Leinster cut down on the mistakes and the tries followed.

The first came from Girvan Dempsey, following straight running and good hands from Adam Magro, who also enjoyed a fine debut. Dunne created the second using his searing pace to make a break on half way, releasing Gordon D'Arcy. The left wing still had plenty to do but he accomplished this with elan, beating two tacklers to crawl over the line.

O'Meara's faultless place-kicking had continued to this juncture, as he added two penalties and both conversions, the second from the touchline. There was an ironic gasp from the crowd when he missed from his ninth attempt, having kicked the previous eight.

What will also have pleased Williams was the uncompromising defence. Glasgow tested this to the full in the closing 10 minutes but found their hosts in a resolute mood. None epitomised this commitment more than Trevor Brennan.

Dunne rounded off a very impressive night for Leinster rugby with a try in injury time, profiting from a D'Arcy break, good vision from Hickie and prop Peter Coyle. O'Meara, fittingly, concluded the proceedings by adding the conversion.

Scoring sequence: 2 mins: O'Meara penalty, 3-0; 6: O'Meara penalty, 6-0; 16: Hayes penalty, 6-3; 18: Nicol try, 6-8; 30: O'Meara penalty, 9-8; 36: O'Meara penalty, 12-8; 43: Hayes penalty, 12-11. Half-time: 12-11. 42: O'Meara penalty, 15-11; 46: O'Meara penalty, 18-11; 52: Dempsey try, O'Meara conversion, 25-11; 54: D'Arcy try, O'Meara conversion, 32-11; 84: Dunne try, O'Meara conversion, 39-11.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Hickie, A Magro, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; A Dunne, B O'Meara; R Corrigan, S Byrne, P Coyle, R Casey, L Cullen, T Brennan, V Costello, K Gleeson.

GLASGOW: G Kiddie; J Steel, J McLaren, A Henderson, R Kerr; T Hayes, A Nicol (capt); D Hilton, G Bulloch, L Harrison, S Griffiths, J White, G Simpson, J Petrie, D MacFadyen. Replacements: G Scott for Bulloch (blood 52-62 mins); C Blades for Harrison 54 mins; N Ross for Griffiths 64 mins; J Stuart for McLaren 67 mins; I McInroy for Kerr 73 mins; C Black for Nicol 78 mins.

Referee: P Adams (Wales)