Leinster left in late to secure maximum points against Zebre and close the gap to GUINNESS PRO12 leaders Connacht.

Leo Cullen’s side began the weekend as the competition’s in-form team, having won nine of their last ten matches – including an eight-try, 52-0 victory over Zebre just two weeks earlier.

Luke McGrath crossed over to get them off to a flying start but Zebre are a more resilient side on home soil and the hosts only held a 12-3 lead at the break, Dominic Ryan with the second try.

A superb Adam Byrne score widened the gap after half-time but Zebre enjoyed their fair share of possession and territory in the second half and they were rewarded with a Federico Ruzza try.

But Dan Leavy crossed over late on to hand Leinster their try bonus point and ensure Connacht, who picked up four points in their 30-22 victory over the Ospreys the previous day, saw their lead at the top cut to just one point.

Leinster flew out the blocks and they were on the board inside six minutes. Good work from the pack allowed McGrath to snipe down the blind side and score, though Isa Nacewa missed the extras.

The continued to threaten and Garry Ringrose away broke down the left touchline, before he was bundled into touch by a covering defender.

The second try did arrive, however, before the 20-minute mark when Peter Dooley showed sharp hands to send Ryan in under the posts and this time Nacewa converted.

Zebre began to find a foothold in the game and when they were awarded a kickable penalty shortly before the half-hour, fly-half Ian McKinley pointing to the posts and getting the hosts on the board.

McGrath nearly got away for his second try just a couple of minutes later but despite Leinster probing away for the rest of the half, they went into the break just nine points to the good.

Nacewa got the second half up and running with a penalty and five minutes later a super third try arrived, courtesy of Byrne.

Zane Kircher chipped through before the Leinster academy product hacked forward and dotted down his second try against Zebre in as many games, Nacewa with the extras.

As the muddy conditions worsened, Zebre gained more of a foothold and enjoyed a spell in the Leinster half and Kayle van Zyl made a break for the corner flag, only to be herded into touch a couple of metres short.

Their perseverance eventually paid off seven minutes from time when Ruzza followed a long series of phases with a pick-and-go under the posts, McKinley converting.

However, Leinster made their way up the other end in the dying moments and grabbed that coveted fourth try, Leavy emerging from the base of a powerful maul with ball in hand and a smile on his face.

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