Guinness Pro12
Leinster see off 14-man Cardiff
ESPN Staff
January 10, 2015

Leinster secured a bonus-point 13-22 win over Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park in the first of Saturday's two Pro12 clashes. Blues chances were dented when they had Kiwi lock Jarrad Hoeata sent off for a dangerous high tackle on Leinster full-back Rob Kearney just after the half-hour mark.

In the first minute Noel Reid crossed for a try after Jimmy Gopperth set off on a beautiful run but the fly-half failed to convert. Sam Warburton was forced off the field with a cut to the eye but a pair of Gareth Anscombe penalties and a converted try from Warburton's replacement Manoa Vosawai sent the hosts into the break leading 13-5, despite being a man down.

As time wore on, the man advantage showed, however and Leinster scored three more tries in the second half, including one while Vosawai was in the sin bin after being harshly adjudged to have kneed an opponent.

Gopperth scored a try of his own and was joined on the scoresheet by his half-back partner Luke McGrath and replacement prop Tadhg Furlong.

In the day's second game, Munster travelled to Zebre and return to Ireland with a bonus-point win as four converted tries and an Ian Keatley penalty saw them run out 31-7 winners.

Scores for Felix Jones, CJ Stander and Conor Murray saw the visitors race to a 24-0 lead at half-time and Simon Zebo scored almost immediately after the break. In response, Zebre could muster only a converted try from replacement hooker Oliviero Fabiani.

The result leaves Zebre bottom and Muster a point behind leaders Glasgow, and with Leinster a further point behind them.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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