GUINNESS PRO12: Leinster stay second after home win over Ospreys

Leinster maintained their 100 per cent home winning record in this season’s PRO12 with a 19-16 defeat of the Ospreys at the RDS.

Leo Cullen’s men made hard work of it, though, scoring a lone penalty from Ian Madigan in the final 50 minutes as the Ospreys launched a stirring second-half fight-back.

Dan Leavy’s second try in as many games, converted by Ian Madigan who also landed three penalties, had the hosts leading 16-3 at half-time.

Sean Cronin and man of the match Ben Te’o stood out in attack for Leinster whose defence managed to frustrate the Welshmen until Dan Baker’s 60th-minute touchdown.

Sam Davies converted, adding to his two earlier penalties, to put just three points between the sides. Madigan and Davies swapped further kicks, but Leinster did just enough to hold on in a nail-biting climax.

The result sees Leinster keep the pressure on provincial rivals Connacht at the top of the table, while it was a further dent to the Ospreys’ top-four and Champions Cup qualification hopes.