Leinster push forward

Leinster are beginning to establish impressive momentum. Tougher challenges lie ahead, but last night's resounding victory was a testament to a team that is developing into a confident, skilful and potent combination.

The starting line-up may have lacked a few familiar faces but the depth of quality in the squad was illustrated by the performance of their replacements.

Gavin Hickie - some dicky lineout throwing aside - and David Quinlan in the centre managed big contributions. Another debutant Australian outhalf Nathan Spooner handled the pivotal role with a great deal of flair.

His place-kicking was excellent, particularly in the first half, his tackling assured and his distribution intelligent.

If some of the new faces excelled, it was because of the latitude they were given by familiar countenances. Trevor Brennan enjoyed another huge match and deservedly won the accolade for the game's outstanding player.

His influence was not merely confined to his destructive tackling: He demonstrated excellent hands and a good appreciation of those around him and the spaces that presented themselves.

Keith Gleeson had another excellent outing at openside in what was a fine display from the back row and indeed the pack. Everyone contributed positively. Behind the scrum, it was centre Adam Magro and right wing Denis Hickie that caught the eye.

Magro's ability to time the pass and seek out the gaps, combined with a poacher's instinct ensure that he represents an important acquisition. Hickie was sharp, making several blistering runs, and deserved more than a single try. Girvan Dempsey, captain for the night, scored two tries and ran strongly and linked shrewdly.

Ebbw Vale showed character and in the opening 10 minutes broke Leinster's initial defensive line but could not quite deliver on the opportunities.

Former Leinster coach, Mike Ruddock, now in charge of the Welsh side, conceded that he had rested several of his first-team players but introduced them at the interval as Leinster threatened to swamp the visitors.

"I didn't really want to play them but I had to. Leinster were so impressive. They have great strength in depth."

Matt Williams assessed the performance with a coach's eye and while disappointed that "we lost our shape a bit for 20 minutes in the second half", he went on to point out that "we scored a couple of brilliant tries".

He described Gavin Hickie's display as "phenomenal" and also pointed out that David Quinlan "had a wonderful debut".

There were also a few words for the three Lions that Leinster eventually sprung from the bench: Malcolm O'Kelly and Brian O'Driscoll looked sharp after their travails in Australia while Eric Miller rounded off the scoring with a try.

Leinster led 31-6 at the interval, scoring four tries. The first came from centre Magro after good work by Leo Cullen and Denis Hickie. Dempsey was next to cross the visitor's line.

Keogh bounced a defender enroute to the third and Spooner cantered 45 metres for the fourth, with the outhalf adding all four conversions and a penalty.

There was so much to admire in Leinster's display as they raised their intensity again in the second half, Magro, Denis Hickie, Dempsey and Miller crossing the Ebbw Vale line.

Williams confirmed that there were no injury worries in the aftermath before retiring to consider the selection headache he faces in naming the team to play Ulster at Donnybrook on Friday night.

SCORING SEQUENCE - 4 mins: Cull penalty, 0-3; 9: Magro try, Spooner conversion, 7-3; 14: Spooner penalty, 10-3; 22: Dempsey try, Spooner conversion, 17-3; 24: Cull penalty, 17-6; 26: Keogh try, Spooner conversion, 24-6; 33: Spooner try, Spooner conversion, 31-6. Half-time: 31-6. 46: Mitchell try, Cull conversion 31-13; 54: Magro try, 36-13; 59: Hickie try, Spooner conversion, 43-13; Dempsey try, 48-13; Miller try, Dunne conversion, 55-13.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey (capt); S Keogh, A Magro, D Quinlan, D Hickie; N Spooner, B O'Meara; E Byrne, G Hickie, P Coyle; L Cullen, T Brennan; A McCullen, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: B Willis for O'Meara 60 mins; A Dunne for Spooner 60 mins; B O'Driscoll for Magro 60 mins; R Corrigan for E Byrne 60 mins; E Miller for Costello 70 mins; S Byrne for Gleeson 76 mins.

Ebbw Vale: G Cull; N McKim, A Takarangi, P Matthews, M Ridley; S Mitchell, K Ellis; D PenisiniJ Evans (capt), A Clatworthy; O Booyse, P Sidiki; S Jarman, G Evans, A Rogers. Replacements: G Betts for Ellis 25 mins; W Thomas for Jarman h-time; C Billen for Booyse h-time; M Jones for Clatworthy h-time; D Weatherley for Ridley h-time; M James for Mitchell 62 mins; L Phillips for J Evans 70 mins.

Referee: J Barnard (England)