Aled Davies was delighted to win the kicking battle to help fire Cardiff to a deserved win over reigning champions Leinster.

The Blue & Blacks went into the encounter acutely aware of the importance of home advantage in the race for the play-offs. 

They dominated territory at a rain lashed Arms Park, with Cardiff kicking to compete and owning the skies to bring Leinster’s 11-match run to an end. 

Davies also finished the crucial try and he was pleased with his side’s discipline with and without the ball.

He said: “It’s great, the weather was tough but we played some good rugby in the first half. We dominated territory and had a bit of a breeze but we still managed to move the ball a bit, kick on edges and play the space. The space was there more for a kicking game today.

“With the new laws, the nine’s kicking is very important but we are about playing the space. Boys kick on the edges as well or we are playing. Tonight was more kicking but we can play as well.”

The victory propels Cardiff to third in the BKT United Rugby Championship table, just one point behind the Dubliners in second-place. Cardiff have a testing end to the season but they are edging ever closer to a place in the play-offs.

Davies added: “We had a difficult Christmas period with the derbies but we’ve got big games coming up and we know that. It’s important that we rest up and when we get the internationals back we really crack on until the end of the season.”