Felipe Contepomi kicked all of Leinster's points as they claimed a 21-20 victory over Cardiff Blues in the Magners League on Saturday.
The Argentina international sent seven penalties between the posts as he helped Michael Cheika's side secure a narrow victory at the RDS.
While it was far from a polished performance from the reigning champions, there were a number of positives to take out of the display including a fine return to form from Brian O'Driscoll.
The Irish captain was simply majestic in spells as he ducked inside the opposition's lines and really should have been awarded one of his two tries that were ruled out by the TMO.
There are some things for Cheika to address though as Isa Nacewa never looked comfortable at fly-half, the position of hooker remains a problem with Bernard Jackman out, and too many silly fouls were given away.
For a long period in this game it looked as though Cardiff were going to escape with all of the points as Leigh Halfpenny matched Contepomi for the most part in the kicking department.
The Welsh back was successful with four of his six kicks on the night, while Nick Robinson added an unexpected drop goal in the second half.
Cardiff shook the Royal Dublin Society when he touched down for a try early in the game. Andy Powell was the man that squeezed in the bottom corner, but the referee needed to consult his linesman before awarding it.
Ma'ama Molitika had clearly obstructed Gordon D'Arcy from making a last ditch challenge, although the linesman did not agree with Leinster's protests and The Blues trotted off with the points.
The home side were to feel further agrieved when O'Driscoll was twice denied the glory of scoring a try by the TMO. While the first one was correctly not given due to his left foot being in touch, the second attempt at diving over the whitewash form inside a ruck should have resulted in being given the try.
Nevertheless, Leinster kept going and Contepomi kept kicking perfectly. If he can reproduce the same kind of form when they go into Heineken Cup action next week, then the Irish province could be back to their best.
In this game though, Cardiff ran them close, could have snatched the win, and exposed weak points in their armour. All of that will have to be addressed by Cheika.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Felipe Contepomi, Gordon D'Arcy; Isa Nacewa, Chris Whitaker; Stan Wright, Brian Blaney, CJ van der Linde; Leo Cullen (capt), Devin Toner; Rocky Elsom, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Ollie le Roux, Cian Healy, Malcolm O'Kelly, Stephen Keogh, Chris Keane, Luke Fitzgerald, Girvan Dempsey.
Cardiff Blues: Leigh Halfpenny; Tom James, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Gareth Thomas; Nick Robinson, Jason Spice; John Yapp, T Rhys Thomas, Taufa'au Filise; Bradley Davies, Paul Tito; Ma'ama Molitika, Robin Sowden Taylor, Andy Powell.
Replacements: Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Scott Morgan, Xavier Rush, Richie Rees, Ceri Sweeney, Jamie Roberts.