Rugby Celtic League: Neath-Swansea Ospreys - 25 Leinster - 36 Probably the best thing about Gary Ella's job with Leinster is working with Brian O'Driscoll, who returned from Australia to single-handedly demolish the Ospreys at the Gnoll.
Having taken over at the start of a World Cup-affected season, Ella has hardly had a chance to work with O'Driscoll, but he has already hailed the "genius" who he believes is close to being the best player he has ever seen.
That's high praise indeed considering Ella's illustrious former Wallaby brother Mark ranks among the finest outhalves to have played the game, but it was well deserved on the back of a performance that simply oozed class and left the Ospreys spellbound.
A combination of craft and pace produced his first try and, after creating two more, he used his power and strength for the second as Leinster shot down the Ospreys six tries to one to reignite their Celtic League campaign.
"He makes things look so easy, which is the sign of a great player. He is a genius and is close to being perhaps the best player I have ever seen," said director of rugby Ella, who could hardly contain his glee at finally having the international brigade back from the World Cup.
Malcolm O'Kelly returned to dominate the lineout, Victor Costello and Keith Gleeson resumed normal service in the back row and Argentinian Felipe Contepomi, who faced Ireland just five weeks ago in Adelaide, made a competent debut.
Yet despite the talent on show, including Wales's new heroes Shane Williams and Jonathan Thomas, it was the return of O'Driscoll that decided this game - and indeed would decide any game on this form.
"Just when we needed something Brian's class would come through every time," said Ella.
"He's obviously a great player but he's also a good leader off the field and it is good to have him and the other guys back. They showed their class by stepping things up when they needed to."
The Ospreys hung on to Leinster's coat-tails for a little over an hour thanks to the prolific boot of Gavin Henson and the fleet-footed skills of Williams, who evoked memories of his heroics against the All Blacks in Sydney.
But with the game poised at 19-18 to the visitors, O'Driscoll broke free to inspire three tries in eight blistering minutes midway through the second half.
John McWeeney scored after O'Driscoll took a pass somewhere near his bootlaces, before the Ireland star gave Scott Gibbs a taste of his own medicine as he barged through the former Lion to grab another just moments later.
Replacement Christian Warner followed suit, breaking through to score from some 40 yards. Warner also had a hand in Leinster's sixth try, opting to pass and give Gordon D'Arcy his second of the night - D'Arcy's first had come courtesy of a sublime, one-handed pass from you-know-who around the back of his would-be tackler.
It sealed Leinster's fifth straight win in the Celtic League and offered a statement of intent for this weekend's start to the European Cup - the one competition that has eluded them.
SCORERS
Ospreys: H Bennett try, G Henson 4 pens, con, S Connor drop goal; Leinster: B O'Driscoll (2), G D'Arcy (2), J McWeeney, C Warner tries, B O'Meara 3 cons
OSPREYS: G Henson; G Morris (A Durston, 76), J Storey, D Tiueti (S Gibbs, 50), S Williams; S Connor, A Williams (E Sevealii, 71); P James, H Bennett, A Jones (A Millward, 76), A Newman, G Llewellyn (capt), J Thomas, N Bonner-Evans, S Tandy (G Thomas, 57).
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; J McWeeney, B O'Driscoll, D Quinlan (C Warner, half-time), G D'Arcy; F Contepomi, B O'Meara (B O'Riordan, 68); R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne (G Hickie, 68), P Coyle, M O'Kelly (A Kearney, 68), B Gissing, D Dillon, V Costello (N Breslin, 72), K Gleeson.
Referee: D Changleng (Scotland)
