The Irish province need to finish above Ulster to seal a Heineken Cup berth next season and are now level on points with their rivals, while the pair clash on the final day of the season at Ravenhill.

Leinster – who remain top by seven points – undoubtedly have one eye on their Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Toulouse on May 1, but still fielded a strong starting XV which included the return of Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll.

And the league leaders dominated the first half but Connacht were superb in defence and a 35th minute try from Brian Tuohy, which was converted by Miah Nikora gave them a 7-0 lead at the break.

Fuelled by their first-half heroics in defence Connacht surged ahead after the break thanks to tries from Michael Swift and Troy Nathan, with Nikora and Ian Keatley adding the extras.

A penalty try and two Shaun Berne penalties gave Leinster hope but Connacht eased to victory and moved off bottom spot, setting up a potentially historic meeting with Ulster in the process.