Leinster were made to work extremely hard for their bonus point 54-34 win over Cell C Sharks in the URC today. It was a game played at the highest of levels, with the packed RDS crowd getting to witness 12 tries during the contest.

It was a game that certainly had entertainment written all over it from the off. Leinster started the game the brighter of the sides and after less than five minutes on the clock, lock Jason Jenkins burst over the try line from close range. Johnny Sexton added the extras, but the hosts allowed their opponents back into the game in the minutes following.

After winning their lineout inside the Leinster 22, the Sharks opted for a maul. After gaining valuable metres, they flashed the ball wide and Alphelele Fassi went over underneath the posts. Boeta Chamberlain added the extras from the conversion and the quick reply certainly gave the South Africans confidence.

Leinster were forced into early changes with Rhys Ruddock and Jordan Larmour picking up injuries. The Sharks took the lead through a Chamberlain penalty midway through the first half, but Leinster responded in emphatic fashion.

Garry Ringrose was only on the pitch a matter of moments and with his first touch of the ball, he embarked on a wonderful solo run, diving between the posts to retain the lead for Leinster.

Johnny Sexton yet again remained composed from the tee to increase their lead.

With it looking like Leinster were regaining control of the contest, a try from Werner Kok quickly turned the game upside down. Just minutes later, the Sharks’ opposite wide man Thaakir Abrahams dived over in the corner to give the Sharks a six point lead with half time edging close.

In the 38^th minute, a moment of brilliance from Robbie Henshaw saw Leinster go over for their third try of the half. Henshaw’s inch perfect cross field kick was gathered by Garry Ringrose who dived over for his second of the game.

Sexton maintained his 100% record from the tee to send Leinster into the break with a narrow 21-20 lead.

Just after the break, Leinster sealed the bonus point through a powerful drive over the line from close range courtesy of Andrew Porter.

Sharks also got their bonus point just before the hour mark through some individual brilliance and an early try of the season contender from Thaakir Abrahams. The pacey winger expertly collected a high ball before weaving under tackles and kicking in behind the Leinster defence. Abrahams then went toe to toe with Garry Ringrose in an intense foot race over the try line, with Abrahams narrowly beating Ringrose to the ball and securing a fourth try.

This unbelievable contest showed no signs of losing quality and just minutes later, a delicate chipped kick from Charlie Ngatai was collected by Robbie Henshaw in the corner and with the help of Johnny Sexton’s conversion, extended Leinster’s lead back to eight points.

Leinster found their sixth try of the evening after 15 phases of possession on the Sharks’ try line with Foley spreading the ball wide to Rob Russell to put daylight between the two teams.

Shortly after, in a move which started with Sexton’s Crossfield kick in his own half, the veteran out half found a try after a cheeky grubber kick beyond the Sharks’ defence which he finished himself for the seventh try.

Leinster put the icing on the cake in the final moments of the game with a try from substitute John McKee, bringing an end to a terrific game played at the very highest level.