Donning the socks of his alma mater St Michael’s College for the URC’s second consecutive ‘Origin Round’, the Gloucester-bound Ross Byrne kicked a brace of early penalties to touch in a bid to produce an early breakthrough try for Leinster.

While their first attempt at a line-out maul didn’t pay dividends, the hosts eventually broke the deadlock when Leinster hooker John McKee applied the finishing touches to a set-piece move.

Yet instead of this being the catalyst for a dominant opening period performance from Leo Cullen’s men, their Welsh counterparts came roaring into the contest either side of the first-quarter mark. Following his impressive break into the Leinster half, Cardiff full-back Cam Winnett passed out wide for winger Harri Millard to race over in the left-corner for a 17th minute try.

Although his wayward conversion attempt in the wake of this score kept their opponents in the ascendancy, Callum Sheedy was on hand to supply the bonuses when openside flanker Thomas Young drove over the whitewash just shy of the half-hour.

This offered the visitors a five-point buffer, but despite now being under serious pressure, there was enough time left in the first half to turn the tide back in their favour. Back on Leinster duty after making his Ireland senior bow against Wales last weekend, Jack Boyle got on the end of a prolonged move for a stoppage-time try on the left-flank.

A successful touchline bonus strike from Byrne ensured Leinster led 14-12 at the beginning of the second half and within three minutes of the restart, their cushion was extended as a result of Max Deegan crashing over for their third converted try – moments after Cardiff’s Alex Mann had been sent to the sin-bin.

Leinster had now discovered their groove and in the wake of Luke McGrath wrapping up their ninth try bonus of the campaign, Charlie Tector broke free for his fifth try in just nine appearances this season on 54 minutes.

Even though this appeared to place the final outcome beyond doubt, Cardiff sealed a bonus point of their own when Millard’s second try of the game was supplemented by a well-worked score from replacement scrum-half Ellis Bevan on the stroke of 70 minutes.

By this point in the action, a number of Leinster reserves had joined half-time replacement RG Snyman on the field of play – including debutants Ivan Soroka and Oliver Coffey.

Rob Russell was also introduced for his first competitive outing since an opening day victory on the road against Edinburgh back in late September and following a lengthy consultation between the match officials, he was awarded a 76th minute try that rounded off a 12th URC victory in as many games this term for the Irish province.

Scorers for Leinster: Tries: J McKee, J Boyle, M Deegan, L McGrath, C Tector, R Russell Cons: R Byrne 6

Scorers for Cardiff: Tries: H Millard 2, T Young, E Bevan Cons: C Sheedy, T De Beer

LEINSTER: J O’Brien; T O’Brien (R Russell 61), H Cooney (L Turner 77), C Tector, A Osborne; R Byrne, L McGrath (O Coffey 70); J Boyle (I Soroka 70), J McKee (S Smyth 57), R Slimani (R McGuire 70); D Mangan (RG Snyman h-t), B Deeny; A Soroka, W Connors (S Penny 63), M Deegan.

CARDIFF: C Winnett (T De Beer 41-52); G Hamer-Webb, R Lee-Lo, R Jennings, H Millard (R Grace 63); C Sheedy (T De Beer 70), J Mulder (E Bevan 63); D Southworth (R Barratt 52-61), L Belcher (E Daniel 65), R Litterick (W Davies-King 52); J McNally (A Mann 33), R Thornton; B Donnell (S Davies 63), T Young, A Lawrence.

Referee: A Piardi (FIR).