Keenan helps get Leinster up and running with win over Cardiff in home opener

The Blues returned home and secured a bonus point before half-time taking advantage of Aled Jones' sin-binning 

CRASHING IN: Jack Conan of Leinster in action against Harri Millard of Cardiff during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Cardiff at the Laya Arena in Dublin. Photo by Mark Kavanagh/Sportsfile

Leinster 29 Cardiff 5

Leinster closed out their first win of the new United Rugby Championship season as they beat Cardiff 29-5 on their return to the Laya Arena in Dublin.

Hugo Keenan scored Leinster’s opening try in the ninth minute when he chased his own kick down the line, before Cardiff saw Aled Davies sent to the sin bin for having his hands in the ruck. The yellow card proved costly as Jimmy O’Brien and Jack Conan both powered over in the space of two minutes.

Mason Grady got Cardiff on the board in the 25th minute, taking down a cross-field kick into the corner from Callum Sheedy. O’Brien then touched down Leinster’s fourth following another swift break to secure a bonus point just ahead of half-time, with the try converted from out wide by Sam Prendergast for a 22-5 lead.

Leinster – who had lost both of their opening games in Johannesburg and Durban – were forced into some strong defensive work as Cardiff looked to regroup in the early stages of the second half.

Cardiff – having beaten Scarlets and Zebre in their previous two fixtures – almost added another try on the break when Taine Basham looked to race clear having intercepted a loose Leinster pass, but Keenan produced a great recovery run to get back and make a saving tackle.

Leinster – playing a first competitive fixture at the 20,500-capacity venue in Merrion Road, having spent two seasons across at the Aviva Stadium during the redevelopment – made sure there would be no late drama when Jamie Osborne powered through with four minutes left and Prendergast again slotted over the extras.

PA