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Dublin: 12 °C Friday 24 May, 2013

As it happened: Leinster v Edinburgh, RaboDirect PRO12

With Leinster on a high from their recent Heineken Cup success, could Michael Bradley’s side bring them back down to Earth? Revisit our minute-by-minute coverage to find out.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_iepost a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Leinster 54-13 Edinburgh

20.17 – The Leinster scrum is looking good once again, as Edinburgh are penalised for collapsing. This time, McFadden makes no mistake with the penalty, much to his own relief presumably.

20.28 – Leinster’s patient build-up play is eventually rewarded. Isaac Boss collects the ball deep in the Edinburgh 22 and passes to an onrushing Cronin, who crosses over the line unchallenged. However, worryingly for Leinster, McFadden again misses the conversion.

20.35 – It must be said that that was an incredibly impressive first-half performance from Leinster when you consider the absence of several key players.

While their first XV may be almost set in stone at this stage, some of the fringe members of the team are doing themselves no harm whatsoever with their performances so far. If anything, they should be completely out of sight, and this would be the case if Fergus McFadden had remembered to bring his kicking boots.

Michael Bradley, meanwhile, will presumably be slightly concerned at his side’s Heineken Cup hangover, particularly when you consider that they’re not missing as many key players as their opponents.

20.51 – Edinburgh have enjoyed a lot of possession in the past few minutes, but seem to lack a cutting edge at the moment.

20.55 – Leinster have noticeably dropped the tempo in recent minutes – perhaps they’re content with the four tries.

21.02Nacewa gets another simple penalty to continue his 100% record. Surely there’s no way back for Edinburgh at this stage.

21.05TRY FOR LEINSTER!

21.22 – It’s champagne rugby at the moment from Leinster, as they run half the length of the pitch, simultaneously exchanging a series of slick passes, before Boss is eventually stopped just short of the try line.

Meanwhile, Ian Madigan has deservedly won the man-of-the-match award.

21.32 – That game was every bit as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. Credit must be given to Leinster though, for disposing of their opponents in a thoroughly professional manner. The game, once again, emphasises the strength in depth that Joe Schmidt’s side seem to have, as they were barely affected by the absence of several key players.

Edinburgh, meanwhile, continue their woeful RaboDirect PRO12 form, which is in stark contrast to their Heineken Cup performances this season. Though it was by no means their most important game of the season, Michael Bradley will surely be disappointed at the way his side wilted so badly in the closing stages of the game.

21.44 – Joe Schmidt plays down his side’s victory, indicating that Edinburgh were tired from last week. On the topic of his selection dilemma, he admits he’ll be “reaching for the Panadol”

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