Ian Madigan kicked 14 points as Leinster dealt the Scarlets a first GUINNESS PRO12 loss of the season, running out 19-15 winners at the RDS.

Scarlets dominated the first half with tries from both centres, Hadleigh Parkes and Gareth Owen, to lead 15-9 at the break.

They could have been further clear, but indiscipline allowed Madigan to keep Leinster in touch with three penalties before Mike Ross’ first GUINNESS PRO12 try gave Leinster the lead for the first time..

Ross and Madigan were among a number of World Cup stars making their first appearance of the season for Leinster, with Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney also back in the starting line-up.

Once they had taken the lead Leinster continued to make the most of the visitors’ infringements to stretch clear and secure the win, ending the Scarlets’ unbeaten start to the season, with the Welsh side slipping off top spot as Connacht beat Treviso.

The Scarlets made a strong start, camping in Leinster territory and they had the lead after just three minutes. After a powerful driving maul the Scarlets earned penalty advantage, a succession of forward charges had Leinster scrambling before Parkes ran a perfect line to crash under the posts. Dan Jones converted to make it 7-0.

Leinster had barely been out of their half, but on their first lineout in Scarlets’ territory they set up a huge maul and marched right up to the five-metre line. They were stopped by Jake Ball collapsing the maul, and he was sin-binned for his troubles.

The visitors conceded two more penalties in quick succession, with Leinster choosing to kick the second through Madigan to reduce the deficit to four points.

He added another just as Ball returned as Aaron Shingler took out the fly-half at a ruck, but back up to 15, the Scarlets got back on the front foot.

After a few charges, a nice kick through had Kearney scrambling and while the Leinster full-back got back in time, it was to be his last act as he tweaked something racing across.

That meant a reshuffle for the home side, and it showed two minutes later when Gareth Davies made a half-break, finding John Barclay on his shoulder. The Scarlets skipper then delivered the ball to Owen outside him, and the centre had the pace to go over on the left. Jones missed the conversion but the Scarlets led 12-6.

Another ruck infringement from the Scarlets allowed Madigan to knock over a third penalty of the evening, as Leinster stayed in touch despite having been on the back foot for much of the half.

It was quickly cancelled out by a first penalty of the evening from Jones, making no mistake from wide on the left after Cian Healy was slow to roll away from a ruck.

Leinster could have taken the lead against the run of play just before half-time when Garry Ringrose pounced on a loose ball in midfield but Parkes got back just in time to bring him down and the Scarlets led by six at half-time.

Having been on the back foot for much of the first half, Leinster started the second much better and after a rolling maul, they used the pick and drive to send Ross over from close range. Madigan converted to make it 16-15 to the home side.

A fourth Madigan penalty stretched the lead out to four points when the Scarlets strayed offside, with the momentum having clearly shifted towards the home side.

Coming off the bench, Johnny Sexton thought he had the decisive try nine minutes from time with a trademark wraparound but after consultation with the TMO, Leighton Hodges realised Noel Reid had helped him in with some blocking.

But it made no difference as Leinster held on, with the Scarlets having to settle for a losing bonus point.

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