McFadden to the fore as Leinster notch Italian win

Treviso 20 Leinster 30

Fergus McFadden claimed a 15-point haul as Leinster beat Treviso 30-20 in a hard-fought RaboDirect PRO12 CLASH at the Stadio Monigo.

Wing McFadden kicked three penalties and three conversions as the reigning Heineken Cup champions gained revenge for last year’s shock defeat in Italy.

Treviso might have fancied their chances of pulling off another surprise win as Leinster coach Joe Schmidt chose to rest Ireland internationals Jonathan Sexton, Rob Kearney, Leo Cullen and Sean O’Brien.

However, Leo Auva’a set the tone for the game when he crossed in the first minute to give the Irish side a flying start.

Leinster wing Fionn Carr also scored an early try before Treviso’s Tobias Botes kicked four penalties to keep the Italians in touch at 17-12 at half-time.

However, excellent kicking by McFadden kept the Italian side at bay before Manoa Vosawai crossed for Treviso to level the scores in the second half.

Botes missed the simple conversion but McFadden, who had taken over the kicking duties from the rested Sexton, punished Treviso with another penalty before Eoin O’Malley crossed the line.

McFadden duly kicked the conversion to make it 30-20 and although flanker Shane Jennings was sent to the sin bin late on, Leinster held on to seal the win.