PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY: Friday, August 28

LEINSTER 68 MOSELEY 0, Donnybrook

Scorers: Leinster: Tries: Isa Nacewa, Fergus McFadden, Jack Conan 2, Mick McGrath, Dan Leavy, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Darragh Fanning, Penalty try; Cons: Isa Nacewa 5, Fergus McFadden 4
Moseley: –

Moseley were familiar opponents for a number of players in the province’s starting line-up as they have previously played Leinster ‘A’ in the British & Irish Cup – and will do so again this season. In addition, their current director of rugby is Kevin Maggs, who amassed an impressive tally of 70 caps with Ireland during a memorable playing career.

However, under the watchful eyes of Joe Schmidt and his Ireland coaching staff, Leinster opened the scoring with just three minutes on the clock. The hosts had developed several attacking phases in the opening exchanges and even though Moseley held firm initially, left winger Mick McGrath powered through a gap for a fine individual try.

This was the perfect tonic for Leinster in front of an enthusiastic home crowd and full-back Isa Nacewa,making his first home appearance since returning to the province, added the first conversion of the night.

The visitors briefly forced Leinster onto the back foot following the concession of these early points, but after they turned over Moseley on their own 22, Leinster doubled their lead with just 14 minutes gone. Out-half Cathal Marsh opted for touch rather than the posts when referee Peter Fitzgibbon awarded a a close range penalty, and flanker Dan Leavy touched down in powerful fashion from the resulting lineout maul.

From a trickier angle, Nacewa was once again on target with his conversion attempt, and he also forced Moseley winger Ed Sheldon into touch on the 20-minute mark. The former Fiji international was warmly received by the Leinster fans throughout the first half and following some superb approach work byColm O’Shea, Marsh and Mick McGrath, he raced through for Leinster’s third converted try.

That meant that the Blues had a 21-0 interval lead and as a consequence, they were able to introduce a multitude of replacements on the restart. Current internationals Fergus McFadden, Isaac Boss and Jack Conan were among those given a chance to shine against the English Championship outfit. Just four minutes into the second period, Conan added to his name to the scoresheet with an excellent pushover try.

Nacewa was one of the few starters who emerged for the closing 40 minutes, and he contributed a fourth successful conversion with relative ease. Indeed, he also added two more points to his personal haul eight minutes later when Conan dotted down under the posts after St. Mary’s College duo Darragh Fanning and Marsh had combined effectively.

It was turning into a damage limitation exercise for Moseley as the play progressed, but in spite of the best efforts of their under-pressure defence, Tadhg Beirne was on hand to register Leinster’s sixth try – just moments after his introduction into the second row in place of Mike McCarthy.

Owing to the 56th minute withdrawal of Nacewa, McFadden took over the kicking duties. He made no mistake with his first kick at the posts, and he also converted a penalty try 16 minutes from the end.

McFadden was eager to make an impression with the Rugby World Cup squad selection just days away and courtesy of neat lay-off from fellow Kildare man Adam Byrne, he crossed in the left corner for a 70th minute score.

The Old Belvedere clubman was narrowly wide with the difficult conversion, but he bounced back with a brace of successful kicks following tries from Josh van der Flier and Fanning in the closing moments of the game. All in all, a dominant performance which gives Leo Cullen and Leinster some winning momentum to take into next Friday’s GUINNESS PRO12 opener away to Edinburgh.

LEINSTER: Isa Nacewa; Adam Byrne, Colm O’Shea, Gordon D’Arcy, Mick McGrath; Cathal Marsh, Luke McGrath; Peter Dooley, Aaron Dundon, Michael Bent, Tom Denton, Mike McCarthy, Kevin McLaughlin (capt), Dan Leavy, Peadar Timmins.

Replacements used: Darragh Fanning for A Byrne, Ben Te’o for O’Shea, Noel Reid for D’Arcy, Fergus McFadden for M McGrath, Isaac Boss for L McGrath, Jamie Hagan for Dooley, Royce Burke Flynn for Bent, Ross Molony for Denton, Dominic Ryan for McLaughlin, Jack Conan for Timmins (all half-time), Bryan Byrne for Dundon, Josh van der Flier for Leavy (both 51 mins), Ross Byrne for Marsh (53), A Byrne for Nacewa, Tadhg Beirne for McCarthy (both 56), Steve Crosbie for Reid (70), Ian Fitzpatrick for A Byrne (76).

MOSELEY: Charlie Foley; Drew Cheshire, Greg King, Aaron Pinches, Ed Sheldon; Glyn Hughes, Sam Brown; Tom Fidler, Scott Tolmie, Craig Voisey, Greg Charlton, Aaron Flagg, Ed Siggery, Joe Bercis, Chris Brightwell.

Replacements: Tom Warren, Jack Lea, Simon Gardiner, Harry Casson, Dave Brazier, Rhys Williams, Kyle Evans, Buster Lawrence, Harry Hone, Will Keenan, Sam Raven, Sam Montieri.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU)