DUBLIN — Leinster ended their two-game losing start to their United Rugby Championship title defence with a 29-5 bonus-point victory over Cardiff at the Laya Arena on Saturday. Tries from Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O'Brien (2), Jack Conan and Jamie Osborne secured the home win, while fly-half Sam Prendergast starred with an eye-catching running game that will encourage head coach Leo Cullen and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.
The reigning champions had the try bonus point secured by half-time as they led 22-5 at the interval. Keenan opened the scoring after nine minutes, gathering his own perfectly weighted left-footed kick down the sideline to dot down for 5-0, before turning provider on 17 minutes when a scrum move down the blindside sent O'Brien over from close range. Prendergast then ate up ground with ball in hand before being stopped metres short, but Max Deegan found Conan on a smart supporting line to make it 15-0. Cardiff responded on 24 minutes when Callum Sheedy's quick thinking from a penalty picked out Mason Grady on the wing, only for Prendergast's superb break on 37 minutes to set up O'Brien's second for the four-try bonus.
Cardiff, who suffered their first defeat of the new URC season, grew into the contest after the break and enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory around the hour mark with Taine Basham prominent, but Leinster's defence held firm during a 36-minute scoreless spell. The drought finally ended on 76 minutes when Osborne took a delayed Prendergast pass to add gloss to the scoreline.
The result propels Leinster up to 10th in the table, while Cardiff end the round in sixth. The competition now heads into a one-week break for the two European tournaments.