Leinster limp out of title race

Cardiff 27 Leinster 11: For the second season in a row, Leinster's Celtic League ambitions floundered in Cardiff as the Blues inflicted a crushing defeat on Michael Cheika's side.

Knowing a bonus point win would seal the title, Leinster failed to perform on the night and provided scant opposition for the Welsh who now move above the Irish province at the top of the standings.

Disappointly for Cheika and his troops, Leinster never looked close to scoring the four tries required. Instead, Cardiff had four of their own by the 50th minute and, despite a consolation score from Shane Horgan, went on to secure a comfortable victory.

While the Ospreys will still claim the title should they win in their final game at the Borders tomorrow, Cardiff top the table on 63 points, two ahead of Leinster. The Ospreys are third on 60 points.

The Blues, with an unbeaten home record to protect, left no doubt about their intentions, crossing for a superb try after just five minutes.

Following a driving line-out fly-half Nicky Robinson, with a point to prove after being omitted from the Welsh tour party for Australia, knifed between opposite number Felipe Contepomi and flanker Keith Gleeson and sent the supporting Robin Sowden-Taylor over.

Contepomi responded with a penalty but Leinster, desperate for tries, spurned further kicks at goal to go for position but the solid Blues defence — notably one tackle by Jamie Robinson on Horgan — keeping them at bay.

When the visitors were awarded another penalty after Rob Kearney brilliantly reclaimed his own high kick, Contepomi opted to take the three points.

It was ironic therefore when the Blues, on a rare visit to the Leinster 22, chose to put a kickable penalty into touch and the pack carried hooker Gareth Williams over for a second touchdown.

And the Blues went further ahead early in the second period with an inch-perfect cross kick by Nicky Robinson being caught by Chris Czekaj, who drew the last defender to send fellow wing Rhys Williams in and Ben Blair converted.

A disastrous error by Horgan gifted the Blues a fourth try and a bonus point. The centre tried to chip Marc Stcherbina, but his kick was too low and the Australian centre grabbed it and strolled over for Robinson to add the extras.

Horgan quickly made up for his mistake, hacking the ball downfield for 50 yards and, once Rhys Williams had failed to clear, the big centre won the race to touch down.

Contepomi missed the conversion and his evening went from bad to worse when he was dispatched to the sin-bin after taking out Jamie Robinson in mid-air as the Blues man jumped to claim a high kick.

The visitors hurled the ball around in desperation but never looked like reducing the deficit.