It was a win that replicated the triumph the Ospreys conjured up at the same Dublin venue in 2010 to win the then Magners League Grand Final and put them back into second place in this season’s race for a Play-Off place.
Leinster, the reigning Heineken Cup champions, paraded World Cup winner Brad Thorn in the second row and had Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll back after shoulder surgery, yet they weren’t able to put the visitors’ away after leading for so long.
With the wind in their favour Leinster opened up a 16-6 interval lead, an advantage that included an opportunist try from an overthrow at a line-out by outside half Ian Madigan, and Fergus McFadden punished the Ospreys indiscretions with 17 points from his boot.
The second half also saw Justin Tipuric pick up a yellow card for a controversial tip tackle, yet still the three-times Celtic champions were able to hit back. Tries from George Stowers and hooker Richard Hibbard set-up a 78th minute right hand touchline conversion for Dan Biggar to steal the lead.
The outside half was up to the task and, with a little help from the top of the left upright, he hit the mark to give his side a one point lead. They held out for the final few minutes to notch a morale boosting win that gives them every chance of staying in the Play-Off positions.
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