Dragons (24) 30
Tries: Brew, Arlidge, W Evans, Fussell Cons: Arlidge, Tovey Pens: Tovey, Arlidge
Leinster (6) 14
Try: Keogh Pens: McFadden (2) DG: McKinley

Aled Brew flies in for the Dragons' opening try at Rodney Parade

The Dragons secured their position as Wales' leading region as they put second-string Leinster to the sword.

Their attacking intent was obvious from the start, Aled Brew sent in for a try after a clinical three-quarter move.

James Arlidge caught Leinster napping to run in a penalty, Wayne Evans swept in for a fine try and Richard Fussell secured the bonus point on 35 minutes.

Leinster managed a consolation Simon Keogh try on 78 minutes, about their only flowing three-quarter move.

The Heineken Cup holders led the Magners League at the start of the weekend, but rested all their Ireland squad players for the trip to Newport's Rodney Parade.

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The visitors were soon on the back foot from an attacking Dragons line-out, the home side driving forward before spreading the ball quickly and accurately across the three-quarter line for Brew to speed in at the corner.

Fly-half Arlidge fluffed the conversion having earlier missed a straightforward penalty.

Fergus McFadden proved no more accurate with his first penalty, but the centre landed his second attempt at goal to reduce the gap to two points.

Arlidge was offered the chance of another shot at goal, but as lax Leinster made their way under the posts the fly-half copied Stephen Jones' trick from last month's Wales v Argentina Test, choosing to run and having the pace to squeeze in at the corner.

Leinster fly-half Ian McKinley struck a drop goal, but from the restart Dan Lydiate and Gavin Thomas made serious inroads into the visitors' defence, Evans picking up the swift ruck ball to cross under the posts, with Arlidge finally landing a conversion.

Richard Fussell crosses for the Dragons' bonus-point score

Another scintillating Dragons attack ended with a knock-on from Fussell, but the winger made no mistake when presented with the chance to seal his side's try bonus point.

Arlidge floated a delightful pass to Jason Tovey inside the Leinster 22, the full-back off-loading neatly to Fussell whose diving finish was enough to convince the video referee.

Tovey converted well from the touch-line, the full-back and McFadden exchanging penalties after the break.

Arlidge resumed the kicking duties to take the lead to 30-9 with a 66th-minute penalty.

That proved the Dragons' last score, Leinster finally putting together an attack in the closing minutes to send Keogh in at the corner.

The Welsh side have now won their last eight games at Rodney Parade and will go into next Sunday's daunting Heineken Cup clash at Biarritz with some confidence.

Leinster will hope their star names can produce a different result when they return to Wales for their European game at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

Dragons coach Paul Turner:
"We would have taken that before the game, we played some great stuff - in the first half, especially.

"We tightened up a bit in the second half and Leinster threw a bit at us, but we were probably 30 points better than them on the day.

"There was a bit of experience out there for us. The pack laid the platform, there was a lot of control from James Arlidge, Wayne Evans is in the form of his life, Jason Tovey played well, the centres, the wingers...

"I know that Leinster had a lot missing but we still had to beat them, that laid down a marker."

Dragons: Tovey, Brew, Gomer-Davies, Riley, Fussell, Arlidge, W. Evans, Gustafson, S. Jones, Palmer, Sidoli, Charteris, Lydiate, G. Thomas, Webb.
Replacements: M. Thomas for Tovey (70), Harries for Fussell (64), Goodfield for S. Jones (68), Bracken for Palmer (74), A. Jones for Sidoli (60), MacDonald for Lydiate (68), Lee.

Leinster: Morris, D. Kearney, O'Malley, McFadden, S. Keogh, McKinley, Keane, McCormack, Jackman, van der Linde, Toner, O'Kelly, R. Ruddock, D. Ryan, S. Keogh.
Replacements: Madigan for Morris (47), Keating for D. Kearney (47), O'Donohoe for Keane (58), Ross for McCormack (47), Hogan for O'Kelly (66), P. Ryan for D. Ryan (56). Not Used: Strauss.

Att: 5,437.

Referee: Simon McDowell (IRFU)

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