Biarritz, victors over the Heineken Cup holders Northampton Saints last weekend, had no answer to ferocious Leinster at Donnybrook, with the home side winners by 35-9.

The French side were never really in the hunt and in the end all they had to show for their efforts were three first-half penalty goals from fly-half Laurent Mazas.

Leinster, who lost their opening match to Edinburgh Reivers, ran in four tries - two from man-of-the-match Shane Horgan - without reply.

Horgan's first came after only seven minutes, when constant Leinster pressure prised open the Biarritz defence.

Fly-half Eddie Hekenui missed the conversion, but eight minutes on landed a penalty goal to stretch Leinster's lead.

Mazas' first penalty goal was rapidly countered by a fine try from centre Brian O'Driscoll after Horgan had made the initial running, with Hekenui adding the conversion points.

Mazas then landed two more penalty goals before the break to give the hosts a 15-9 half-time lead.

The second half was dominated by Leinster and they piled on a further 20 points without reply.

Ireland wing Denis Hickie began the avalanche with a drop goal just after the re-start, and by then there was to be no way back for Biarritz.

Left-wing Gordon Darcy scored Leinster's third try, before Horgan got over for his second, both converted by Hekenui.

And with the last kick of the match, replacement fly-half Mark McHugh struck a penalty goal with Leinster convincing winners.

``This was a good win for us'', said Leinster coach Matt Williams. ``Losing to Edinburgh was a huge disappointment, but we have had some injury problems.''

``But I was very encouraged by this performance. I felt we were in control all the way, and all the guys, replacements included, played really well.

``I think we can look forward to the rest of the campaign with confidence, but that doesn't mean that we'll be taking anything for granted.''

Leinster - tries: O'Driscoll, Horgan 2, Darcy; cons: Hekenui 3; pens: Hekenui, McHugh; drop: D Hickie

Biarritz - pens: Mazas 3