Leinster 38-23 Worcester Warriors

Leinster (10) 38
Tries: Conway, Sheriff, D Kearney, Madigan, McGrath
Cons: McKinley 5 Pens: McKinley
Worcester (15) 23
Tries: Shervington, Balding, Short
Cons: Walker Pens: Walker 2

Alex Grove has returned to Sixways after his loan spell at Edinburgh

Leinster's powerful second-half burst saw off young Worcester's challenge in the British & Irish Cup after they had led at half-time in Dublin.

After Andy Conway had crossed for the home side, tries from Ed Shervington and Adam Balding put Warriors ahead.

Having trailed 10-15 at the break, Leinster turned it round with second-half tries from Eoin Sherriff, Ian Madigan, Jack McGrath and Dave Kearney.

But Andy Short's late consolation was probably the best try of the game.

Worcester's defeat at Donnybrook drops them to fourth place in Pool A, thanks to Newport's win against Currie on Friday night.

That leaves them with ground to make up when they host Plymouth Albion next Saturday (22 January, 1500 GMT).

Warriors had a young side on duty in Dublin, coach Richard Hill having already made it clear that he was going to make changes.

He did just that by changing almost the entire 22-man squad to face what was Leinster's A team, including recently returned Scotland centre Alex Grove.

The only man who had been involved against Bedford was Matt Kvesic, who came into the back row after being on the bench the previous weekend.

Warriors academy manager Andrew Stanley told BBC Hereford and Worcester:

"We conceded soft tries that we are very disappointed about.

"One from a line-out and one from an inside pick and go, Ultimately, that was the difference between the teams.

"Games are turned on small margins and, when we look back, we know what we need to correct.

"Full credit to Leinster. They took their opportunities well when they arose and had some very good players in the back line who, when the game broke out, were very good at one-on-ones to make things count."

Leinster: Morris; Conway, Macken, Berne, D Kearney; McKinley, Cooney; McGrath, T Sexton, Shawe; C Ruddock, Galarza; R Ruddock, Murphy, Keogh.

Replacements: Reid, Keating, Dundon, O'Connell, Flanagan, Sheriff, Madigan.

Worcester: Penn; Miller, Grove, King, Short; Walker, Williams; C Black, Shervington, Taumoepeau; Clutterbuck, Bowley; Freeman, Kvesic, Balding.

Replacements: Radburn, McCarthy, Hills, Dacres, Collins, Whybrow, Dudley.