UCD star Nick McCarthy came off the bench to help Leinster to a 25-17 victory over Bath in their second pre-season friendly at Donnybrook.
McCarthy scored a late try to seal the win for his side after a stellar second half performance from Ireland star Joey Carberry.
Leinster started a string of youngsters including Blackrock man Caelan Doris, whose first involvement was taking down 2017 Lion Taulupe Faletau during the opening stages.
Leinster kicked the first score through a lovely cut-out pass from Jamison Gibson-Park that put Ross Byrne outside the first defender to eventually force a penalty that Byrne put between the posts in the 25th minute.
15 minutes later, Leinster got their second score of the game when 21-year-old Max Deegan crossed the line on the left-hand side. It all came from good footwork by Conor O’Brien and great positioning by Ed Byrne.
It was the final score of the half but the home side got off to a great start in the second half and Dave Kearney crossed the line after beating full-back Darren Atkins to Carbery’s kick upfield. Carbery then converted to give Leinster a 15-0 lead.
However, Kearney soon went from hero to villain when his attempted clearance only went as far as Bath centre Ben Tapuai, who took advantage to beat Sean Cronin on the outside and strike back.
The visitors didn’t let up there and pulled themselves within three points when a maul was allowed to gain ground and Fotuali’i slipped through to score, with Freddie Burns converting for the extra two points.
Leinster responded in excellent fashion, however, and stretched their lead to six through a Carbery penalty.
With three minutes remaining, substitute McCarthy looked to have ensured victory for Leinster when the scrum-half touched over and Carbery converted.
Bath lost a Matt Banahan offload at the Leinster line but Fotuali’i was alert to pounce on the loose ball and cross the line for his second try.
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