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Rugby Union

Leinster overturn Leicester

10/11/2007

Leinster made a winning start to their Heineken Cup campaign by defeating last year's finalists Leicester 22-9 at the RDS in Dublin.

The Irish side were level at 6-6 at half time but a superb second-half display from Argentinean fly-half Felipe Contepomi combined with ferocious defence secured victory by a comfortable margin.

Contepomi and Andy Goode traded two successful penalties each in a first half that saw the home side penned in for large parts by a series of forward rumbles from the visiting pack.

However Leinster sparkling back division showed that it could carry a threat from anywhere on the field with a flowing counter-attack that swept from one end to the other and was only halted by a despairing high tackle from Seru Rabeni.

With the wind now at his back, Contepomi added another couple of penalties after the break to edge his side into a lead, before playing a key role in the only try of the game.

After exchanging passes with Brian O'Driscoll in midfield, Contepomi freed Gordon D'Arcy who in turn fed Shane Horgan for a fine score.

His conversion nudged the score on to 19-6 and signalled the start of a Leicester onslaught.

However the Tigers pounded away at the resolute Leicester defence without reward as the two kickers landed another three points each as the match petered out.