The returning Dave Kearney went over for a try double as Leinster cruised to a 40-14 win over Benetton Treviso at Stadio Monigo to close the gap on the Guinness PRO12 top two. Kearney was starting his first game since last October when he injured his ankle against Cardiff Blues and the winger showed that his finishing instinct has not be affected by the lay-off. Rory O’Loughlin crossed for the opening score in the opening two minutes before Kearney’s double, and efforts from Adam Byrne, Joey Carbery – also returning from injury – and Bryan Byrne helped the Leinstermen move within three points of second-place Ospreys. Treviso got on the scoreboard through No.8 Robert Barbieri and winger Andrea Pratichetti but they still slipped to a 12th defeat in the 14 meetings between the sides. With 11 players away on international duty, Treviso’s much-changed line-up could not have asked for a worse start as they conceded a try with less than two minutes played – Ross Byrne cleverly dinking over the top following a line-out for O’Loughlin to collect and slide over. Byrne duly added the extras before Leinster demonstrated their defensive capabilities as Mick Kearney and Jamison Gibson-Park both produced huge tackles in their own 22 to deny the Italians. Treviso continued to pressure and Byrne was forced to produce a try-saving tackle on Pratichetti midway through the first half. But the Italians were made to pay for not converting their territorial dominance into points as Dominic Ryan made an initial break in midfield and the ball was worked wide for Dave Kearney to score – Byrne adding the extras. And 14-0 became 21-0 shortly after as Kearney again went over in the corner and Byrne stayed perfect from the tee. To their credit, Treviso got on the board before half-time as Barbieri barrelled his way across the line to narrow the deficit to 14 points at the break. A scrappy start to the second period was ended on 50 minutes as Adam Byrne notched the bonus-point try, when a solid scrum set the platform for the ball to be spread through the hands and the 22-year-old finished the move. Ross Byrne again nailed the tricky, touchline conversion for a 28-7 lead. Pratichetti dotted down for a nicely-worked try shortly after but visiting fly-half Carbery, making his return from the injury sustained in Europe against Northampton Saints, had an instant impact after coming off the bench as he burrowed over the whitewash with 15 minutes left. And there was still time for Bryan Byrne to grab a sixth try for Leinster as he benefitted from an inexorable driving maul to complete a 40-14 triumph that narrowed the gap on Guinness PRO12 table-toppers Munster to four points. Guinness PRO12 Final 2017, 27th May, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Ticket Information: Fans can still avail of an exclusive number of €30 tickets. Book via www.ticketmaster.ie. Further information: www.pro12rugby.com/final
