Costello leads Leinster barrage

The Connacht players smiled as they peered out of their dressingroom minutes before the start of their Guinness Interprovincial clash on Saturday. The Sportsground, a venue at which their opponents had not prevailed at since 1986, was assailed by a howling gale, abetted by occasional cloudbursts. The portents appeared excellent as the Western province sought to cement their season's rehabilitation with a victory.

By mid-afternoon on Saturday those same Connacht players filtered past the deserted main stand, eyes downcast, struggling to reconcile what had happened in the previous 80 minutes. They had been annihilated, conceded nine tries and perhaps the most galling thing was the knowledge that it could have been worse. Afterall, the home side received the considerable benefit of an almost four to one penalty count in their favour from Ulster referee Alan Watson.

Conditions militated against anything but a forward orientated strategy, yet seven of Leinster's nine tries were scored by their backs. There was a great deal to admire about the visitor's performance which can not be wholly attributed to the inadequacy of their opposition.

Leinster's pack laid the foundations for victory. They were dominant in the scrum and in the line-out and superbly fluent in possession. They moved the ball before the tackle, thus establishing an irresistible momentum that often garnered 30 or 40 metres.

Several forwards enjoyed fine performances, including Victor Costello who was exceptional and scored a brace of tries.

Behind the scrum the pace and potency of Leinster's three-quarter line was easily discernible but it was full back Gordon D'Arcy that wrested the plaudits. A precocious talent, he offered testimony to his ability with two wonderful tries.

Leinster's aggressive defence forced countless Connacht turnovers and forced the home side into high risk passing. The former entertain Munster next Friday night at Donnybrook.

Scoring sequence: 9 mins: Costello try, Everitt conversion, 0-7; 19: Costello try, 0-12; 29: Elwood penalty, 3-12. Half-time: 3-12. 41: McWeeney try, 3-17; 50: D'Arcy try, Everitt conversion, 3-24; 62: McWeeney try, 3-29; 64: Hickie try, 3-34; 69: Horgan try, Everitt conversion, 3-41; 72: Farrell try, Farrell conversion, 348; 76: Deane try, 8-48; 78: D'Arcy try, 8-53.

CONNACHT: S Allnutt; M Mostyn, M Murphy, M Deane, P Duignan; E Elwood (capt), S McIvor; J Maher, S McDonald, M Cahill; M McConnell, G Webster; C Rigney, M Steffert, E Brennan. Replacements: B Gavin for Brennan 15 mins; J Screene for Cahill 51 mins; B Jackman for Steffert 51 mins; N Carolan for Mostyn 55 mins.

LEINSTER: G D'Arcy; D Hickie, P McKenna, S Horgan, J McWeeney; B Everitt, D Hegarty; R Corrigan, S Byrne, A McKeen; R Casey, M O'Kelly; D O'Brien, V Costello, L Toland (capt). Replacements: P Coyle for McKeen 64 mins; E Farrell for Everitt 69 mins; S Forster for Hegarty 69 mins; C McEntee for Costello 69 mins; B Cusack for O'Kelly 69 mins; P Smyth for Byrne 69 mins.

Referee: A Watson (Ulster).