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Leinster made it six wins in a row in the United Rugby Championship this season with a dogged 24-6 triumph over Lions at the Aviva Stadium.
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Unlike some of their recent bonus-point victories, Leo Cullen’s men had to show their persistence against a Lions outfit that defended physically and smartly for much of this encounter.
Two Kade Wolhuter penalties had Lions leading 6-3 before player-of-the-match Josh van der Flier’s 31st-minute converted try gave Leinster a 10-6 interval lead.
Also adding to his earlier penalty, Sam Prendergast converted Caelan Doris’ score on the hour mark and a last-minute penalty try from a collapsed maul left the margin at 18 points.
The in-form RG Snyman blocked a Morne van den Berg box-kick inside the opening minute, leading to Ireland prospect Prendergast claiming the first points.
Boosted by holding up Hugo Keenan, Lions ventured forward and Wolhuter split the posts twice, his second strike coming from just inside the Leinster half.
The 23-year-old fly-half then pulled a long-range penalty wide before Leinster got into range to break the try deadlock.
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Doris, Ireland’s captain for the Autumn Nations Series, carried hard off a scrum, leading to van der Flier eventually forcing his way over.
Lions’ well-organised defence continued to frustrate Leinster, allied to the hosts’ indiscipline.
Henco van Wyk was quick off the mark to deny James Lowe, getting his fingertips to a dangerous grubber kick from Prendergast.
Finally, the hosts got the cushion they wanted when van der Flier, off the back of a tap penalty platform, sent Doris over from close range and Prendergast converted for a 17-6 scoreline.
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Lions’ hopes of hitting back were ruined by a crooked lineout throw and Leinster were then awarded a penalty try via a dominant drive.
