Winning on English soil in the Heineken Cup had become something of a good habit for the Dubliners prior to their trip to Kingsholm with seven wins and only one defeat.

But they were unable to maintain their winning streak and, despite a last gasp penalty in the 10th minute of injury time that bought them a bonus point, they were well and truly beaten.

Facing the strong, swirling wind in the first half the visitors could feel well pleased with their efforts. Despite conceding a penalty try after collapsing a driving lineout, they conjured up a try of their own thorough skipper Brain O’Driscoll to make it 7-7 at the break.

O’Driscoll was off the field when Gloucester bagged their opening score having picked up a yellow card for using hands at a ruck and England scrum half Peter Richards was sitting on the sidelines for an act of petulance when O’Driscoll crossed for the Leinster score.

Felipe Contepomi raised Leinster hopes after 57 minutes when he kicked a penalty to give his side the lead for the first time, but some subtle changes to the home pack brought about a major change in the course of the game.

The introduction of French front row internationals Christian Califano and Olivier Azam beefed up the forward effort and the pressure turned on the Leinster forwards.

Califano was credited with the push over try from another close range lineout after 65 minutes and then the French loosehead single handedly destroyed a Leinster scrum near halfway to help to create the opportunity which lead to Mark Foster’s chip and chase try.

Ryan Lamb’s wide angled conversion put Leinster nine points behind, but Contepomi clawed back a bonus point with his 90th minute penalty to leave the Dubliners on 21 points