Isa Nacewa reaches Leinster landmark in Cardiff Blues win

Leinster full-back Isa Nacewa is tackled by Kristian Dacey

Isa Nacewa broke the 400-points barrier for Leinster as they ground out a 23-15 win over a battling Cardiff Blues side at the RDS.

The full-back kicked three penalties and two conversions as the Irish province twice came from behind to register their first PRO12 victory of the season.

Leinster controlled the first half, with Jack Conan scoring the opening try on 18 minutes, but three penalties from Rhys Patchell kept Cardiff in touch as they trailed 10-9 at the interval.

Two further kicks from Patchell put Cardiff back in front with 22 minutes remaining, but a third Nacewa penalty and late penalty try meant the visitors left Dublin without a losing bonus point.

Patchell booted Cardiff into an early 6-0 lead in the Irish capital, his second successful kick a booming long-range effort from inside his own half.

Patchell's penalties sandwiched an effort from Nacewa that came off the upright, but the full-back made no mistake from his second attempt to take him past 400 points.

Cardiff invited more pressure when Patchell put the restart out on the full and they were punished on 16 minutes when Leinster scored the game's opening try.

A powerful break from Ben Te'o put the Blues defence on the back foot and Conan burrowed over from close range on the12th phase, Nacewa adding the extras.

Leinster enjoyed 76 per cent possession during the first half, making six times as many carries as the visitors, yet only one point separated the sides at the interval after Patchell landed another long-range penalty.

Nacewa and Patchell were both on target from the tee early in the second half, before a vital turnover from replacement Ellis Jenkins kept Leinster at bay.

Patchell put Cardiff in front for the first time in 40 minutes with another superb kick but they were pinged at a scrum with 13 minutes remaining, and although Nacewa did not strike the ball well it was enough to give them a 16-15 lead.

Leinster won another scrum penalty on 73 minutes but turned down a shot at goal, opting to kick into touch, and Cardiff captain Josh Navidi was sin-binned for coming in at the side of a maul.

The hosts' scrum dominance resulted in a penalty try and Patchell was off target with a late drop goal attempt as Cardiff went home empty-handed.