Celtic League/ Connacht 9 Leinster 21: As a preview to next weekend's main event, it was not compelling viewing. Leinster's victory was unconvincing but consolidates their top-four position. Connacht, despite an improved performance, find themselves increasingly adrift at the bottom of the table.
If it was all about results, then Leinster's Michael Cheika was the happier coach. Their two internationally created tries ensured Leinster maintained their push for Celtic League honours, yet their pack was played off the park in the opening half, particularly in the scrum.
"Not a difficulty for next week," insisted Cheika ahead of Leinster's Heineken European Cup clash against Bourgoin.
"We will have to work on it. You do not just become poor scrummagers in a week, although we would have liked to have dominated a little more. I am definitely pleased with the win, although not so ecstatic with some individual touches."
Despite the loss of Keith Gleeson, Bernard Jackman, and Gordon D'Arcy with "bumps and bruises" in the second half, the two tries, initiated by their international three-quarters on the counterattack, were the difference between the sides.
After an erratic season to date, Connacht held the aces up front in the first half. Behind the scrum, however, they lacked penetration against an aggressive Leinster defence, although Kiwi Gavin Williams showed some glimpses of power and pace on his debut.
"I was pleased with the first half - most things went well," said Connacht coach Michael Bradley, "but we got a poor return relative to the possession with ball in hand.
"At half-time we went into the dressingroom having played them off the park. We also had two chances that we didn't convert. Two mistakes in attack, two mistakes in defence, and we have found this year against sides with large numbers of internationals that if we make one or two mistakes we will be punished."
With Connacht due to face Worcester, one of the biggest packs in the English Premiership, in next week's European Challenge Cup at Sixways Stadium, the pack performance was a most pleasing aspect for Bradley.
"Worcester's pack is colossal. They are huge, but if we play as well in the set-piece as we did today, I don't think Worcester's backs are as efficient in the counterattack as Leinster."
In a game littered with knock-ons, it was Argentinian Felipe Contepomi who struck first - his 100th point for the season - after number eight Colm Rigney was caught in possession from Kieran Lewis's long kick.
Connacht had their first opportunity after a clinical catch-and-drive brought them within yards of the line, but Rigney was penalised and the opportunity lost.
However, Connacht maintained the initiative, and outhalf David Slemen lofted a drop goal from 35 metres to give them some reward after 18 minutes. With their pack dominant, they forced two penalties in two minutes, which Slemen struck clinically to establish a 9-3 lead.
But two pieces of magic turned the game for Leinster late in the half. D'Arcy's footwork created the space from a counterattack before Connacht were penalised in a ruck. Contepomi had an easy kick in front of the posts. Then following a drop-out, Eric Miller's quick hands set up Shane Horgan, who evaded the tackler to strike upfield. He found the supporting Robert Kearney, who supplied Jamie Heaslip for the finish. Despite Connacht's first-half dominance, they trailed 9-13.
Having turned the tide, Leinster continued to push forward and Contepomi's penalty extended their lead. Within minutes Kearney's presence in midfield created the space for Girvan Dempsey, who cut through on the angle for a try in the right corner.
Understandably, Cheika was delighted with his side's defence.
"The most pleasing aspect was our defence and we had worked extensively on that during the break. But the credit must go to our international boys. I had asked them to stand up and show how good they were, and they provided the leadership."
SCORING SEQUENCE: 13 mins: Contepomi penalty 0-3; 18: Slemen drop goal 3-3; 26: Slemen penalty 6-3; 28: Slemen penalty 9-3; 40: Contepomi penalty 9-6; 40+2: Heaslip try, Contepomi conversion 9-13. Half-time: 9-13; 47: Contepomi penalty 9-16; 50: Dempsey try 9-21.
CONNACHT: M Mostyn; C McPhillips, G Williams, A Mailei, J Hearty; D Slemen, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty, S Knoop; C Short, A Farley (capt); J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: P Warwick for Slemen (58 mins), D Gannon for Short (58 mins), T Tierney for Keane (72 mins), M Swift for Lacey (76 mins), T Robinson for Williams (76 mins), D McFarland for Knoop (81 mins).
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; K Lewis, G D'Arcy, S Horgan, R Kearney; F Contepomi, G Easterby; R Corrigan, B Jackman, W Green; B Williams, B Gissing; E Miller, K Gleeson, J Heaslip. Replacements: N Ronan for Gleeson (46 mins), B Blaney for Jackman (61 mins), E Byrne for Corrigan (67 mins), C Jowitt for Heaslip (67 mins), J Hepworth for Kearney (70 mins), E Hickey for D'Arcy (80 mins).
Referee: S McDowell (IRFU).
