Dragons put to the sword by ruthless Leinster in Dublin
The Dragons came crashing back down to earth with a bang as they were put to the sword by a ruthless Leinster side at the Aviva Stadium.
Dai Flanagan's side - who had began their season with a dramatic victory over the Ospreys- only trailed by four points at the interval after a promising first-half performance where they created a number of gilt-edged opportunities which they failed to take. But they were made to pay for their inaccuracies as Leinster scored six tries courtesy of Jack Conan, Ross Byrne, Max Deegan, Joe McCarthy, Jordan Larmour and Aitzol King to claim a bonus point victory.
The Dragons came out of the blocks firing with a tremendous turnover from Shane Lewis-Hughes and a 50/22 from Dane Blacker setting up a strong attacking position. Australian centre Harry Wilson cut open the Leinster defence but was brought down short and soon after full-back Ewan Rosser had a clear run in to the line but he was denied by a desperate ankle tap from Jimmy O'Brien.
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The Dragons were guilty of not taking their opportunities in Leinster's 22 which was summed up by outside-half Lloyd Evans missing a straightforward penalty. Flanagan's side put themselves under pressure when tighthead prop Chris Coleman got sent to the sin bin for making direct contact to the head of Thomas Clarkson.
Leinster made the most of their numerical advantage with Ireland No 8 Jack Conan sliding over at the corner after a nice offload from Charlie Tector. The Dragons hit back with three points from Evans' boot but Leinster were soon celebrating their second try when fly-half Ross Byrne stretched over from short-range.
Byrne missed the conversion thanks to Rio Dyer's attempt at a charge down and the visitors had the last laugh of the half with Evans nailing his second penalty meaning the Dragons trailed 10-6 at the interval.
Leinster started the second-half well as they lay siege to the Dragons try line. Max Deegan powered over the line as the Dragons tried desperately to hold him up.
Referee Mike Adamson required the assistance of the TMO, Dave Sutherland, but made it clear that his on field decision was a try. The television replays showed very clearly that Dragons outside-half Evans had held the ball up with there being no evidence it had touched the line, but even so the try was awarded.
This knocked the stuffing out of the Dragons but they did butcher a golden opportunity to get back into the game when former Waratahs centre Wilson ignored a three man overlap in the Leinster 22.
The hosts began to turn the screw and they claimed the bonus point try when Ireland lock McCarthy smashed his way over the line. And Leinster completed the scoring with tries from Lamour and King.