Leinster down Ospreys

Leinster launched a second-half fightback as they kept their unbeaten home record in the Magners League intact against Ospreys.

The European champions had not lost at home since September 2008 but an impressive display from fly-half Dan Biggar, who converted his own try and kicked three penalties, had the visitors 16-10 ahead at the interval.

But Leinster's knack of finishing on top in tight games helped them edge ahead in the second half, with centre Fergus McFadden converting Shaun Berne's try and sealing the win with a late penalty.

The visitors managed to dominate the first half in terms of possession and territory, with a surprisingly flat Leinster side making just two visits to the Welsh region's 22.

But Leinster opened the scoring against the run of play in the 12th minute with an interception try. Back rowers Filo Tiatia and Jerry Collins linked in midfield as the Ospreys rumbled into the home 22.

Off the ensuing ruck, Biggar's looping pass was too ambitious, Isa Nacewa plucked it out of the air and the Auckland-born winger had the pace to run over unopposed from 80 metres.

McFadden tapped over the conversion but discipline and restarts let the hosts down.

The Ospreys attacked with vigour from the restart, and Biggar traded penalties with McFadden before the men in white took charge for the remainder of the half.

The talented number 10 hit a long-range penalty from just inside the Leinster half to close the gap to 10-6 and Shane Williams was bundled into touch in the right corner as the Ospreys continued to press out wide.

Space

They adjusted coming up to half-time, finding more space through the middle of the Leinster defence.

Biggar, having missed an earlier drop-goal, redeemed himself by jinking through for a 31st-minute try, shrugging off Mike Ross' challenge after the Ospreys had profited from a lineout steal.

Full-back Owen produced a solid tackle on Nacewa to win turnover ball and an eventual penalty which Biggar dispatched through the uprights for a 16-10 half-time lead.

However, it was a different story after the interval.

McFadden missed an early penalty chance, but Berne settled the league leaders' nerves by breaking the first line of defence, off quick lineout ball, to canter in under the posts on a diagonal run. McFadden converted for a 17-16 lead.

McFadden missed the target from a 66th-minute penalty and Berne also had a drop-goal ruled out.

Grip

But, despite ending the match on the defensive, Leinster sealed the points with five minutes to go.

Their grip on the game was tightened when Ospreys lock Gough was sin-binned for blocking Berne in midfield as he chased his own chip.

McFadden knocked over his most difficult kick of the night, completing Leinster's 14th straight league win at the RDS.