Isa Nacewa grabbed a double as Leinster leapfrogged Munster in the Guinness PRO12 table with a 25-14 victory over their fierce rivals at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Leo Cullen’s men have now won seven of their last eight meetings at the Aviva while Munster’s poor recent record against fellow Irish provinces continues.

Skipper Peter O’Mahony crossed for the visitors in the first half and they had plenty of opportunities but Leinster were too clinical with Nacewa their tormentor in chief.

The winger finished with a try in each half while scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park also crossed in the second period for the boys in blue.

Munster – who have started this season in impressive fashion – have now only won one of their last six clashes against Irish opposition but did get a late consolation through Jaco Taute.

It was the home side who hit the front from the outset, two Jonathan Sexton penalties in the first ten minutes opening up a 6-0 lead.

Either side of those kicks Leinster came agonisingly close to the first try of the game when Gary Ringrose and Sexton combined to release Nacewa down the left but the winger was collared by a superb try-saving tackle by Simon Zebo.

Despite the scoreline, the majority of the rugby in the first quarter was actually played by Munster – muscular carries through the middle creating inroads.

And eventually their pressure told as skipper O’Mahony – in his first start for his province since May of last year – went over at the back of a rolling maul.

Tyler Bleyendaal added the extras to put the Red Army in front at 7-6 but Leinster nearly responded immediately.

Sexton’s clever kick in behind released Ringrose who seemed certain to score but the young centre knocked on with the try line at his mercy.

That miss did not prove too costly however as Leinster did get their try before the break, Nacewa making up for his earlier wasted chance to go over in the left corner after quick hands from Luke McGrath and Sexton had released him.

The fly-half missed with the extras however, so the home side went into the break at the Aviva Stadium leading 11-7.

Munster made early changes in the second half to their pack – skipper O’Mahony withdrawn for Jack O’Donoghue.

But it was another replacement in James Cronin who nearly got their second try – the prop only denied by the TMO for a double movement as the Munster pack turned the screw.

But having spent most of the first ten minutes trapped in their own half, Leinster turned the tide and struck with real ruthlessness.

Ringrose made the initial incision down the right and when the ball was spread left Nacewa again had a simple run in off a Rob Kearney pass.

This time Sexton did add the extras and at 18-7 in front before the hour mark Leinster looked home and hosed.

And not long afterwards they had a third try, a clever kick in behind from debutant Robbie Henshaw sparking chaos in the Munster back line. Ronan O’Mahony and Bleyendaal both failed to ground the ball and replacement scrum-half Gibson-Park was on hand to dot down.

Nacewa slotted the extras for Leinster as Sexton was withdrawn and while Zebo fed Taute late on for a consolation the damage was done as Leinster went second in the table, only behind Ulster on points difference.