The 2011 Heineken Cup final man of the match Jonny Sexton put the boot into Leinster's old rivals Munster to steer the reigning European champions to a morale boosting 24-19 RaboDirect PRO12 win at the AVIVA Stadium.
A week before they launch the defence of their Heineken Cup crown with a trip to France to face tournament new boys Montpellier, the Dublin-based outfit extended their unbeaten run at the home of Irish rugby to five matches.
Sexton was instrumental in a victory that took Leinster to the top of the PRO12 table as he kicked seven penalties. Leinster's other points came from a drop goal by Rob Kearney.
In his first game since returning from the World Cup, Sexton landed five first-half penalties to give his side a 15-9 advantage. Opposite number Ronan O'Gara landed four penalties of his own and also converted a penalty try that helped set-up a frantic finish in front of crowd of 48,365.
Munster had Denis Leamy sent to the sin-bin in the second half and that allowed Leinster to stretch their lead to 24-12. But then the home side had British & Irish Lions No 8 Jamie Heaslip yellow carded and the Munster rally closed the gap to five points.
While Leinster head to France to face last season's French Championship runners-up Montpellier at Stade de la Mosson in Pool 3 on Saturday, 12 November, Munster host the side Leinster beat in the Heineken Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in May, Northampton Saints, at Thomond Park in a crucial Pool 1 clash on the same day
