Leinster Rugby made it two wins from two to start the 2020/21 Guinness PRO14 season with a hard-fought bonus-point win over Benetton Rugby in Treviso on Saturday.
First-half tries from James Tracy and James Lowe had Leo Cullen’s side in the ascendancy at the break.
But the hosts stayed within touching distance with scores either side of half-time from Sebastian Negri and Epalahame Faiva.
A penalty try for Leinster and a third penalty of the game from Guinness Player of the Match Ross Byrne looked to have put Leinster out of sight but Benetton scored with seven minutes remaining to narrow the margin to five.
Leinster pushed on, however, to claim the bonus point with a James Ryan try three minutes from time.
“It was a very tough game for both of us,” Garry Ringrose said.
“Treviso will be disappointed with the opportunities they missed out on, and we’re not naive to some of the areas they put us under pressure.
“We’re very happy to come away with a result against such a good team. They have a very good defensive system and very good attack. I know we learn things off their defence and attack as well. We’re delighted to be able to get a win against a quality side here.”‘
Ringrose along with 16 of his Leinster teammates will now shift focus to international duty with Ireland.
Leinster return to action on Friday, 23 October, to face Zebre at the RDS Arena.
