Sublime O’Driscoll leads Leinster to big win

Brian O’Driscoll produced a sublime all-round performance to guide three-time European champions Leinster to a superb 40-7 away victory over Northampton on Saturday.

The 34-year-old Ireland centre was instrumental in a stunning win for the Irish province, for whom winger Luke Fitzgerald crossed for a hat-trick.

“We’re very pleased, we set up a good foundation in a very good first half performance,” O’Driscoll told Sky Sports. “There were some big performances from the guys. The energy was fantastic.”

Leinster raced out to a 12-0 lead after nine minutes, Fitzgerald opening the scoring after a dink through by O’Driscoll.

The winger was then on hand to finish off another slick midfield move with O’Driscoll providing a key pass backwards through his legs.

No 8 Jamie Heaslip crossed for Leinster’s third after Rob Kearney drew the defence, and scrumhalf Eoin Reddan side-stepped over for a bonus-point fourth try three minutes before half-time after Kearney had challenged Ken Pisi on a speculative bomb.

In the second period, O’Driscoll bagged one of his own, pouncing to intercept a loose pass.