Leinster make their point

Leinster 45 Opsreys 22: Leinster closed the gap on Ulster at the top of the Magners Celtic League to just two points after securing a comprehensive bonus point win over a weakened Ospreys at Donnybrook tonight.

With Ulster winning away in Glasgow earlier in the day, Michael Cheika's side knew nothing less than five points would suffice against an Ospreys outfit with one eye on next week's crucial Heineken Cup tie with Stade Francais.

But the visitors proved to be more obdurate than expected in the opening quarter and grabbed the lead when Brent Cockbain profited from an Ospreys break to stun the home crowd.

However, with their superior class Leinster were never going to be denied and moved swiftly to redress the balance.

First Robert Kearney danced his way through a bewildered Ospreys defence to regain parity, Contepomi adding the points, before the midfield partnership of Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll combined brilliantly to extend Leinster's lead.

With a bonus point in their sights, Leinster upped the tempo after the break and should have added a third within seconds of the restart only for Kieren Lewis to knock on when attempting to touch down.

But another D'Arcy line break, one of many for the Ospreys tormentor in chief, led to a Denis Hickie score five minutes later before Kearney made sure of the all-important fifth point. O'Driscoll then grabbed his second and Leinster's  fifth as the Ospreys defence fell apart.

As Leinster eased up Stefan Terblanche and Richard Pugh added a modicum of respectability to the score but Keith Gleeson rounded of a fine team performance with a sixth try for the home side.

While the win keeps Leinster hot on the heels of Ulster at the top of the table, Cheika must now turn his attention to next weekend's European tie against Edinburgh and injuries to Stephen Keogh and Bernard Jackman won't have helped the Australian's preparations.