AIL review: Pack power ensures Lansdowne are the early pacesetters

A second successive bonus point win has moved Lansdowne three points clear at the top of Ulster Bank League Division 1A, while St. Mary’s College, UCD and Garryowen all bounced back with their opening victories of the campaign on Saturday.

Leinster loosehead Peter Dooley was part of a dominant home scrum and also helped himself to a try as Lansdowne thumped Terenure College 29-5 on the Aviva Stadium’s main pitch. Tom Daly and young replacement prop Ntinga Mpiko also touched down to add to a first-half penalty try.

Sean Kearns was the hero for St. Mary’s as they claimed the scalp of defending champions Clontarf in a 23-20 win. Kearns completed his 13-point kicking haul with the decisive penalty in the 77th minute.