Josh van der Flier’s second-half try proved decisive as in-form Leinster leapfrogged Connacht to move second in the GUINNESS PRO12 table with a 13-0 victory at the RDS Arena.

Leo Cullen’s side have now won six in a row in the league while their Irish rivals slip to third after three defeats on the spin.

It was always going to take something special for Pat Lam’s side to claim victory considering they have not won in Dublin since 1985 and have never tasted victory at the RDS.

But in miserable conditions they were within range at the break – Jonathan Sexton’s penalty the only difference between the two teams.

But soon after the interval van der Flier went over from close range, Sexton adding the conversion and the hosts saw out the game, denying their Irish rivals even a losing bonus point – the first time in 13 games Connacht have taken nothing from a game in the league.

Despite Leinster’s victory over Munster last time out, Leo Cullen made wholesale changes to his starting XV and they made the brighter start in miserable conditions at the RDS.

The hosts were immediately on the front foot – with the wind at their backs – and twice kicked to the corner to try and force their way over with the driving maul.

But Connacht – who lost Nathan White to a head injury assessment earlier on – held firm initially in defence before eventually conceding a penalty from right in front that Sexton duly slotted over.

The visitors were struggling to get out of their own half and as the game wore on both Garry Ringrose and the impressive Eoin Reddan – the latter a late call-up for the injured Luke McGrath – made fine breaks.

But both amounted to nothing in the end and – despite being on the back foot at scrum time – Connacht came into the clash as half time approached and Niyi Adeolokun nearly went over for the game’s first try.

Dave Kearney and brother Rob both made a hash of fielding a low kick to the corner and Adeolokun looked to profit before Dave Kearney made amends to bundle him into the corner and at half time it remained 3-0 to the home side.

Ringrose – so impressive last time out against Munster – again made a break early in the second half but a knock on killed the momentum.

Sean O’Brien was then introduced for the home side for his 100^th Leinster appearance and moments later came the decisive moment.

Dave Kearney made the initial break and after a succession of phases on the try line it was van der Flier who burrowed his way over.

Sexton added the extras to make it 10-0 and leave Connacht with an uphill battle to just gain a losing bonus point.

Bundee Aki’s break from the restart nearly brought Connacht back into it but despite having the wind in their favour, they failed to profit and a late Ian Madigan penalty put the icing on a crucial win for Leinster.

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