Leinster have extended their unbeaten streak in the URC out to eight games, with a strong bonus point win over Glasgow Warriors at the RDS this evening.

The hosts showed their clash to squash any hopes of Glasgow ending their losing streak at the Dublin venue, both guilty of being ill disciplined but Leinster showed skill in defence and attack, limiting Glasgow’s scoring output.

Leinster’s pack showed their brawn to push back Glasgow from a close range lineout in the early exchanges, the brain of Luke McGrath opted to go wide, a string of passes found Jamie Osbourne who offloaded to Dave Kearney, the veteran winger crashing over for their first score after 8 minutes, Ross Byrne adding the extras with a difficult kick for a 7-0 lead.

Using the width was proving fruitful for the hosts, on the ten minute mark Charlie Ngatai had space on the right flank, he was held up short but played a sensational offload to Robbie Russel to add their second try, after some TMO deliberation the Leinster centre was indeed in touch as he was tackled, before producing the most sublime of offloads on the RDS turf beside the corner flag, for Russel to touch down.

Leinster were starting to carve Glasgow open, after pinning them back once more their lineout was successful, McGrath went down the blindside and went down the right wing, he fed Russell who dashed clear of the oncoming tackle to race past the Glasgow line for his second try of the game after 22 minutes, Byrne’s extras punishing some ill discipline by Glasgow as that was hindering their performance in those opening 20 plus minutes.

Trailing by 21-0 it easily could have been more had Liam Turner and Osborne linked up for a fourth try, great movement by Natai fed Turner to race through the middle, his offload just eluded Osbourne as he could not gather possession, Glasgow were able to breathe a sigh of relief. 

Despite conceding nine penalties in the opening half Leisnter went in 21-0 ahead at the break, both teams were guilty of some dangerous tackles, but Glasgow unable to break the Leinster backline as they kept having the solution caused by the Scottish attack, the hosts showing why they remained unbeaten prior to kick off.

The Warriors started the second half with intent,creeping toward the try line they were held up, but Ronan Kelleher was penalised for slowing the ball down and shown a yellow card for his troubles, Glasgow would capitalise as Gregor Brown bundled over for their first try, however the TMO would reverse the decision and award a penalty for the Blues, ruled out for a flying wedge by Glasgow in the maul that Leinster couldn't stop.

Glasgow would get their try and using the man advantage they spread the play wide and Sebastian Cancelliere touched down in the corner, some smart work by Glasgow the conversion missed the mark but the scoreline now reading 21-5 had them back in the tie at least.

With Kelleher back on Leinster were at full strength for their pack to drive Glasgow back, they defended a maul well but the Leinster forwards were just able to get over, Michael Milne made a powerful drive from close range to cross over, securing the bonus point and a 28-5 lead as Byrne had the easiest of his conversion attempts after 54 minutes.

Russell completed his hat trick to wrap up the tie after 72 minutes, Leinster attacking well again before substitute Chris Cosgrave made a drive for the line, he offloaded wide for Russell to touch down unopposed to extend the lead, Harry Byrne unable to add the extras from a difficult attempt.

Right at the death substitute hooker John McKee crossed for their sixth try, he showed the hunger to get over after Kearney was unable to meet a kick in behind, all coming from Leinster pinning Glasgow pack with a kick in behind, they turned it over and McKee showed his class to cross, Byrne made no mistake with his second attempt, five conversions between the Byrne brothers.