Young wing Damien Hoyland made a triumphant return from his time with the Scotland squad with both tries as Edinburgh got their Guinness PRO12 campaign off to a winning start at wet and windy Meggetland.
Hoyland had a full summer in Scotland camp and won his first cap against Italy in Turin, and he showed his finisher’s skills with two second-half tries as Edinburgh’s domination finally bore fruit.
Cornell du Preez provided both scoring passes for his wing but the standout performer was new recruit Nasi Manu, who was an impressive wrecking ball in attack and defence although Edinburgh didn’t quite make the most of his and du Preez’ go-forward.
Manu, fresh from captaining the Highlanders to the Super Rugby title, said he found Scottish conditions and his first PRO12 game “a bit different” but was delighted with the win.
“It’s just great to get on the park with the boys and to get a good win to start the season,” he said.
Head coach Alan Solomons said: “I’m very pleased with the result, it’s important for us to win at home,” he said. “I’m a little bit disappointed we didn’t deny them the bonus point but happy with the win.
“This is the year we have to evolve our attack and I think we were really positive and are making progress with that, and it was great to see Damien get the tries on the ground he grew up on.”
Early season guddles were the order of the first half with referee Peter Fitzgibbon being especially strict at the breakdown on both teams.
Both sides had chances with possession deep inside the opposition 22 but on both occasions the attacking side was penalised for sealing off. Edinburgh’s case was a particularly sore one as they had kicked a scrum penalty to the corner rather than the posts and were making inroads towards the line when prop John Andress was the transgressor.
Chris Dean showed some bright signs on debut in the centre for Edinburgh but lasted only 15 minutes thanks to a head knock, just after veteran full back Isa Nacewa had booted Leinster ahead following Neil Cochrane’s high tackle in midfield.
However Nathan Fowles replied for Edinburgh to keep the scores level at the break, both kickers missing long-range attempts from near halfway with chances at a premium.
With the wind and rain in their favour Edinburgh were gifted field position by a Luke McGrath fumble from the restart but more strong Leinster defence and a missed Fowles penalty denied the home side.
Then Edinburgh chose to kick another penalty to the corner but skipper Roddy Grant fumbled the ball forward at the back of the driven lineout maul as he tried to score.
But the home side won a turnover at the resulting scrum, and more repeated charges at the Leinster line finally bore fruit as Cornell du Preez’ offload gave Hoyland the try in the corner.
Nacewa quickly replied with a penalty for offside as Leinster hit back but although Jack Cuthbert missed a long penalty chance for Edinburgh, he was on target with nine minutes remaining to calm the home support’s nerves.
Hearts were back in mouths as Edinburgh conceded a penalty from the kick-off and Nacewa kicked Leinster back to within two points, but big pressure forced a yellow card for replacement Dominic Ryan and the extra man told as Hoyland again took a lopped feed from Du Preez for his second and clinching try in injury-time.
Att: 2476
Edinburgh: J Cuthbert; D Fife, C Dean (J Johnstone 15), S Beard (G Tonks 65), D Hoyland; P Burleigh, N Fowles (S Kennedy 60); R Sutherland, N Cochrane, J Andress (S Berghan 76); A Bresler (F McKenzie 52), B Toolis; C du Preez, R Grant (H Watson 60), N Manu.
Leinster: I Nacewa; F McFadden, B Te’o, N Reid, D Fanning; C Marsh (R Byrne 56), L McGrath (I Boss 56); M Bent (B Byrne 45), A Dundon, J Hagan (R Burke-Flynn 45); T Denton (R Molony 45), M McCarthy; K McLaughlin (D Ryan 48), D Leavy (P Dooley 64), J Conan.
Ref: P Fitzgibbon (IRFU)