Isa Nacewa’s first-half double inspired Leinster to a 37-13 bonus-point win over Newport Gwent Dragons in the GUINNESS PRO12.

In a scrappy first 40 minutes Nacewa was the standout performer as Leinster carved out a ten-point advantage at the break.

It wasn’t a vintage performance from Leinster but they were effective in their work and second-half scores for Cathal Marsh and Garry Ringrose sealed the win.

The opening exchanges weren’t the easiest on the eye but Leinster were the side looking most likely and a break through the middle after ten minutes moved them deep inside the Newport 22.

That brought about a penalty for the home side in front of the posts and Fergus McFadden made no mistake to give his side a 3-0 lead.

But three minutes later the Dragons were level as Leinster were penalised and Jason Tovey got his side on the board.

A high tackle from James Thomas however gave Leinster the chance to restore their lead and McFadden duly obliged as he turned over his second penalty of the afternoon.

Despite having the lead Leinster were looking flat and the Dragons put them under immense pressure after 22 minutes as they drove for the line.

And that pressure told as Sarel Pretorius picked up the ball and crashed across with Tovey on hand to tag on the extras.

The home side sprung into life on 27 minutes however and switched the ball left to Nacewa who had all the time in the world to run across and McFadden split the uprights with a tricky conversion.

And Nacewa had his second on 35 minutes when a chip over the top saw the home skipper put Tom Prydie under pressure as the Dragons man failed to collect and the Leinster full back swooped in to dot down before converting himself.

The home side hit the ground running after the restart as Ringrose darted beautifully through a gap and burst down the left only to be tackled just short of the line.

In the end they couldn’t make anything of the chance but it set the tone for things to come with Leinster starting to put the Welsh side under extended periods of pressure.

A third try wasn’t forthcoming however but Leinster did extend their lead on 54 minutes thanks to the boot of McFadden.

The Dragons were in danger of letting the score run away but they closed the gap shortly after when Tovey turned over the easiest of penalties.

But as soon as they edged closer Leinster once again turned the screw as they earned a scrum five metres from the line after McFadden almost went over.

From there they managed to work the ball left where Ringrose was in acres of space to dart across and McFadden converted brilliantly to make it 30-13.

Within a minute of the restart they were at it again, this time a brilliant move down the left saw Marsh collect the ball and his converted try secured the bonus point.

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