Jimmy O'Brien scores twice as Leinster beat Cardiff 29-5 on home return

Leinster marked their return to the redeveloped Laya Arena with a 29-5 victory over Cardiff, collecting their first win of the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship season. According to BBC Sport's match report, Jimmy O'Brien scored twice as the defending champions crossed for five tries in front of 20,600 spectators and handed Cardiff their first defeat of the campaign.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xph0uaOaD7Q

The result followed a difficult opening trip to South Africa, where Leinster lost to the Lions and Sharks but collected three bonus points. Leo Cullen restored several Ireland internationals for the home fixture, with a number making their first appearances of the season. The province had spent two seasons playing at Aviva Stadium while its usual ground, formerly known as the RDS Arena, underwent a €52m redevelopment.

Leinster established control early through Hugo Keenan, who received the ball on the left before kicking ahead and regathering to score. Cardiff's task became harder when scrum-half Aled Davies was sent to the sin-bin for an infringement near his own try line. O'Brien and Jack Conan then added tries, giving the hosts three scores inside the opening quarter and a 15-0 advantage.

Cardiff nevertheless produced a response while reduced to 14 players. Fly-half Callum Sheedy used a penalty to launch a cross-kick towards Mason Grady, whose finish cut the deficit to 15-5. That remained the visitors' only score. Leinster extended their lead through a planned move that released O'Brien for his second try in the 37th minute, securing the attacking bonus point before Sam Prendergast's conversion made it 22-5 at the interval.

The scoring slowed sharply after the restart. Cardiff enjoyed territory and reached Leinster's 22 several times but could not turn those opportunities into points. The second half remained scoreless until Jamie Osborne finished from close range with five minutes remaining. Prendergast added his second conversion of the match to complete the 29-5 scoreline.

Cardiff left Dublin without a league point, something that had happened only once during their run to the play-offs last season. Their next assignment is away to Northampton in the Champions Cup on 18 October, followed by a home URC meeting with the Sharks five days later.