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Near full strength Leinster maintain 100 per cent start to season
By PA
Leinster continued their 100 per cent start to the United Rugby Championship season after beating Benetton 35-5 at Stadio Monigo.
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After seeing off Edinburgh and Dragons in the opening two rounds, Leinster had the bonus point secured inside 25 minutes against a Benetton team who had lost just once at this venue in any competition since March 2023.
The Irish side were awarded a penalty try in the ninth minute after Benetton pulled down a maul just short of their line, with Mirco Spagnolo receiving a yellow card as a result.
Ciaran Frawley, Jack Conan and Caelan Doris added further tries inside the next 16 minutes, the former converting all three.
Ryan Baird was then sin-binned for Leinster and Benetton, winless this season, took immediate advantage as Marco Manfredi went over, although Leonardo Marin missed the conversion.
Replacement Lee Barron added a fifth try, converted by Ross Byrne, with a minute left as Leinster made it eight matches unbeaten against Benetton.
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Leinster were 28 up after 25 in testing conditions.
The pitch was an injury waiting to happen with Ronan Kelleher hobbling off followed by Jimmy O'brien and Keenan. Ireland had a 6-2 repacemenets split and backline had to be rejigged with Ross Byrne at 10. Pity as Frawley was outstanding at 10. Leinster only scored once again after 25 mins. Professional performance with glimpses of real quality early on.
I really like how Frawley is coming along. Feel like he's playing with a lot more confidence since SA.
Who played 12 for Leinster?
Jamie Osborne