Leinster complete Italian job
Leinster virtually assured their place in the Magners League play-offs with a 20-8 victory over Aironi at the Stadio Zaffanella.
Last Updated: 23/04/11 6:04pm
Leinster virtually assured their place in the Magners League play-offs on Saturday with a 20-8 victory over Aironi at the Stadio Zaffanella.
Tries by number eight Sean O'Brien and prop Cian Healy helped ensure a win that places the Irish province second in the table, seven points ahead of fifth-placed Ospreys having played a game more.
They did not, however, earn a bonus point against a side who defended stoutly and deserved the score given to them by flanker Gareth Krause.
Leinster winger Fergus McFadden missed an early opportunity to open the scoring but made up for the error soon after by converting his second penalty attempt.
Aironi scrum-half Tito Tebaldi then had the chance to level the game but his effort drifted wide.
Leinster scored their first try after 20 minutes when powerful back-rower O'Brien went over, with McFadden adding the extra two points.
He then kicked another penalty to leave Leinster in control at 13-3. Healy's try, scored just before half-time and converted by McFadden, then confirmed their dominance.
Leinster's task then appeared even easier when number eight Nick Williams was sin-binned for Aironi.
Complacent
However, the visitors perhaps became a little complacent and it was the hosts who looked the more threatening while Williams was off the field.
With 13 minutes to go, Krause brought the Italian side back into contention although fly-half James Marshall missed their third kick at goal.
Although Aironi continued the press as the match entered its closing stages, they could not break down the strong Leinster defence.
