Faultless McKinley looks part but Blues miss out on bonus

Leinster 30 Treviso 5

Battling Treviso gave a decent account of themselves but couldn’t match their first-half pressure by putting points on the scoreboard, while the hosts took their chances and eventually cantered home.

Much of the positive news came from out-half Ian McKinley, who scored his first try for the province in only his fourth appearance. The 21-year-old was assured in possession, kicked well and set up Dave Kearney for his try. That he crossed himself was a fair reward for his endeavour.

Elsewhere, Isaac Boss was again impressive at scrum-half while Ed O’Donoghue carried well on a rare start. Kevin McLaughlin’s rehabilitation continued and Dominic Ryan was energetic as usual.

The first half was a poor affair, largely due to the inexperience on show and a pernickety referee in Wales’ Neil Hennessy, who was all too fond of the sound of his own whistle.

Treviso looked sharp in the back-line with English full-back Joe Maddock prominent, but despite working a number of overlaps on the left wing they couldn’t make them count.

In addition, former Emerging Springbok fly-half Willem de Waal looked off the pace in open play and from the kicking tee and he couldn’t get them off the mark, while Isa Nacewa made them pay as Leinster took a fortuitous 9-0 lead.

And they made it count in the 29th minute as Kearney crossed the whitewash. Rob’s younger brother has come into his own recently, but even he would doff his cap to fly-half McKinley, who made the opening in some style.

Devin Toner won some clean lineout ball and Boss found the young number 10, who stepped past de Waal and drew Michele Sepe before feeding Kearney to score.

Nacewa converted as Leinster led comfortably, but the scoreline got some of the balance it deserved as flanker Gonzalo Padro bullied his way over the line on the stroke of half time as the hosts led 16-5.

Whatever hopes of a comeback the Italians had dissipated soon after the break as the Blues cut loose in some style for a second try, finished by McKinley.

They had to wait some time for another try, touched down by Conway, but it came too late to try and claim a bonus point.

Scorers for Leinster: I McKinley, D Kearney, A Conway try each, I Nacewa 2 pens, 3 cons.

Scorers for Treviso: G Padro try

LEINSTER: I Nacewa (capt); A Conway, E O’Malley, E Sheridan (P O’Donohoe 60), D Kearney; I McKinley (I Madigan 60), I Boss (N Morris 80); H van der Merwe (J McGrath 64), R Strauss (J Harris-Wright 74), S Wright (C Newland h-t); E O’Donoghue (P Ryan 61), D Toner; K McLaughlin, D Ryan, S Keogh (R Ruddock 37).

TREVISO: J Maddock; M Sepe, E Galon, A Vilk, B de Jagert; W de Waal (A Marcato 60), L Nitoglia; M Rizzon (P Di Santo 52), E Ceccato (F Sbraglini 52), IF Rouyet (M Muccignat 62); A Pavanello, C Van Zyl; B Vermaak, G Padro (E Pavanello 52), M Filipucci.

Referee: N Hennessy (Wales).