Leinster send out early warning as Prendergast claims a brace of tries

In an authoritative second half show, inspired by the efforts of Sam Prendergast and debutant Jordie Barrett, the Blues sent out their own 'red warning' to Europe's elite.

Prendergast - who was faultless from the kicking tee all afternoon - helped himself to two of his side's five tries, the others coming from Jordan Larmour, Josh van der Flier and Barrett.

Bristol countered with scores from Max Lahiff and Gabriel Ibitoye, but it was scant reward in a contest where the intensity and power of the four-time champions left a trail of destruction in its path.

For Leinster head coach Leo Cullen it was the ideal start to proceedings in this year's competition, which continues this Saturday with the visit of Clermont-Auvergne to the Aviva Stadium.

Earlier in the day, Bristol, as they have done all season, set off at quite a canter, setting a pace to the game that the visitors did well to repel during a powerful opening assault from the try-hungry Bears.

Pat Lam's side have been the Gallagher Premiership's great entertainers this term, producing a brand of rugby that's clearly eye-catching, innovative and effective in parts. That said, there is also a real risk in their approach at times and Leinster were more than happy to soak up the best the home side could offer during a tight opening quarter.

At the other end, van der Flier threatened down the left with a burst, only to knock on just shy of the line, before the visitors were reduced to 13 men in the space of a couple of minutes.

Hooker Ronan Kelleher was first to see yellow for illegally pulling down a Bears maul - and he was followed onto the naughty step by Max Deegan after he was picked up for a trip on Bristol skipper Max Harding as he looked to tear clear off a pass from Harry Randall.

With the numbers game in their favour, the Bears used the resultant line-out to fashion the opening for Lahiff to burrow over for the game's opening try, which was converted by Benhard Janse van Rensburg.

It was just reward for the home side who, despite playing into a howling, down-field wind, had posed the greater threat in attack.

Leinster, though, are past masters when it comes to the Champions Cup and quickly silenced the natives with a score of their own.

In truth, it came out of a shot to nothing, Sam Prendergast's speculative chip in behind was mis-read by home full-back Richard Lane, gifting the opportunity for Jordan Larmour to collect the loose ball and dive in by the posts for the converted score.

With nothing to choose between the two sides at the break, Leinster wasted little time in drafting in their own 'Bomb Squad' on the resumption. Among those thrown into the fray was All Blacks star Barrett, who quickly showed his class, dropping into the playmaker role off a line-out to release Prendergast who, with a dip of the shoulders and a quick shimmy of his hips, carved his way through the heart of the home defence to score.

Barrett followed him over the whitewash moments later before Prendergast struck again, this time racing clear off a break from RG Snyman to seal the all-important bonus point.

In the space of five minutes, Leinster had extinguished any flickering hope the Bears had of getting anything from their endeavours.

A fifth score, this time from van der Flier, prolonged the agony for the home side, who at least had the final say when Ibitoye claimed a late consolation.

BRISTOL: R Lane (B Elizalde, 60); J Bates, K Ravouvou (L Chawatama, 47-57), B Janse van Rensburg, G Ibitoye; AJ MacGinty (J Jenkins, 5), H Randall (K Marmion, 63); E Genge (J Woolmore, 47), H Thacker (G Oghre, 54), M Lahiff (L Chawatama, 57-78); J Dun (S Luatua, 47), J Owen; S Grondona (B Grondona, 76), F Harding (capt), V Mata (H Thacker, 80).

LEINSTER: C Frawley (J Barrett, 40); J Larmour (G McCarthy, 38-39, R Byrne, 64), G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J O’Brien; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park (L McGrath, 71); J Boyle (A Porter, 45), R Kelleher (G McCarthy, 63), R Slimani (T Clarkson, 45); J McCarthy (RG Snyman, 45), J Ryan; M Deegan (C Doris, 45), J van der Flier, J Conan (capt, J Boyle 47-57).

Referee: P Brousset (Fra).

Attendance: 15,680