Leinster beat Cardiff Blues 14-13 in their PRO12 clash
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 21/02/16 6:57pm
Isa Nacewa scored the only try for Leinster as they held on for a 14-13 win against Cardiff Blues at Arms Park on Saturday, but they had to withstand a late Cardiff onslaught after Josh Navidi crossed with two minutes remaining.
Cardiff welcomed back five Wales internationals including Alex Cuthbert and half-back pair Lloyd Williams and Gareth Anscombe. Anscombe opened the scoring after just four minutes with a penalty from Manoa Vosawai's break.
Leinster started with six of the Ireland squad, as well as a return from injury for Cian Healy. The prop was part of an all-international front row that dominated the early set-piece exchanges and allowed Ian Madigan to level early.
Madigan was making his 140th appearance for the province but missed the chance to put Leinster ahead when his long-range effort struck the post.
It summed up Leinster's first half as they struggled to make the most of playing with a fierce wind at their backs.
Fergus McFadden went close to scoring when he latched onto Madigan's cross-field kick. Rhys Patchell did well to scramble across and forced the Ireland wing to drop the ball over the line.
It got worse for McFadden just a minute later when he was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Lloyd Williams.
Blues were reluctant to kick into such a strong wind but Cuthbert led a piercing breakaway from under their own posts. Patchell and Williams carried over halfway before McFadden made his reckless challenge.
Anscombe, kicking into the wind, missed the resulting penalty, but Cardiff had the better of the first half until Madigan's injury-time kick gave Leinster a 6-3 lead at the break.
Anscombe levelled early in the second half but the injury to centre Cory Allen disrupted the hosts, who were forced to play Wales wing Tom James at centre, and Madigan converted a third penalty.
Neither side could craft an opening until Jack Conan slipped down the blindside of a maul before handing Isa Nacewa an easy finish.
The Blues fought back as Josh Navidi went over with two minutes remaining, Rhys Patchell's conversion bringing the hosts to within a point. Patchell then saw an injury-time drop-goal attempt charged down as Leinster held out.
