RUGBY UNION: Full Conte

FELIPE CONTEPOMI added some Latin flare to a contest dubbed the unofficial Irish trial ahead of the Six Nations with a 25-point contribution to send Munster home with their tail between their legs.

A Celtic League record attendance of 14,135 witnessed a masterclass from the Argentine international, which even included 10 minutes in the sin bin early in the second half.

Munster, and Ronan O'Gara in particular, failed to capitalise on his absence with the Irish outhalf immediately missing the target with a simple penalty.

Paul O'Connell did muscle over for a try just after the hour mark but Contepomi replied with a wonder score.

Faced with a wall of red jerseys, Contepomi (right) chipped two lumbering forwards before gathering and strolling in beside the posts.

He even slotted the conversion to leave Leinster seemingly home and dry at 28-16 with five minutes to go.

However, Leinster did cough up a late try after a quick tap from Foley saw O'Gara send Trevor Halstead over but even then Contepomi wasn't finished as he scampered over for the fourth try after a punt downfield from Guy Easterby.

There were several other subplots in this New Year clash, in particular, Brian O'Driscoll with his first start in six months, while Paul O'Connell also looks to be returning to top form.

There was a late scare as O'Driscoll retired nursing his now famous right shoulder.

Another returnee Denis Hickie replaced him and even made a timely interception as Munster sought victory at the death.

"It just got a little sore at the end," said O'Driscoll. "You've got to be smart about these kind of things. I was never going to play the full 80 minutes anyway.

"Maybe next week I will play the full game."

O'Driscoll had a hand in the first try when his delicate grubber kick saw Peter Stringer engulfed by a posse of blue shirts on the Munster line.

Leinster kicked to touch and from the resulting lineout, hooker Brian Blaney was driven over.

O'Gara hit back with three penalties before O'Driscoll laid the groundwork for try No2 by ripping possession from Marcus Horan.

Leinster eventually moved the ball right where Shane Horgan slipped past namesake Anthony Horgan before diving over. Contepomi's conversion and another penalty left it 21-9 at the break.

The 12-point cushion was achieved despite some bizarre calls by Ulster referee Alistair McKay, which annoyed Leinster coach Michael Cheika.

He said: "I would have complained if I lost so I'll complain when I win too. I thought he was poor. I thought he was out of his depth."

"I thought he penalised us harshly. I don't know what the penalty count was, I know it was in doubles, but we were probably down by 10 at half-time."LEINSTER: Tries: B. Blaney, Horgan, Contepomi 2. Cons: Contepomi 3. Pens: Contepomi 3.

MUNSTER. Tries: O"Connell, Halstead. Cons: O"Gara 2. Pens: O"Gara 3.

Att: 14,155

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