LEINSTER again overcame some glaring deficiencies to eke out a crucial win in the south of France last night, a win that leaves them in the box seat to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup from Pool Two.

Just as it was the case in Dublin eight days ago, Michael Cheika's side claimed victory despite the fact that they possessed a pack that creaked like an arthritic joint, while lacking a goal kicker anywhere near the level required in the continued absence of Felipe Contepomi. If there is any team that can pull through despite both of those handicaps, it is this lot, but this must rank as one of their greatest Houdini acts of all considering they looked a beaten docket with 20 minutes left to play.

Despite it being a perfect evening for rugby . . . the only wind was that emanating from the open air rest rooms behind the rickety second stand . . . it took a good 20 minutes for the hors d'oeuvres' to be dispensed with and the meatier stuff to be served up.

Not for the first time, Leinster were so bad at some of the basics that you would fear for them if they went back to sit an exam on the Three Rs.

Their first line-out was a messy affair that ended with Brian Blaney having the stuffing knocked out of him . . . he came off just 20 minutes later . . . and their first scrum was equally chaotic.

Their line-out frayed a little around the edges on more than one occasion too but, against all expectations, the French failed to take the game to the visitors in the tight in the opening half. That would change after the break.

In truth, the hosts failed to do much of note in the entire opening period and it was only Leinster's decision to dice with death by running out of their own 22 that allowed Jerome Miquel to kick the French into a 3-0 lead after eleven minutes.

Last week, Gordon D'Arcy replaced Contepomi's replacement Girvan Dempsey after the Irish fullback failed with three attempts in Lansdowne Road and the Wexford man soon levelled matters here with a penalty of his own.

In fairness, it was a kick his grandmother would have landed and he went on to miss out on five more points from a penalty and conversion before the half-time oranges were spliced.

Leinster's first try came with 25 minutes on the clock and had its genesis in a beautiful line break from scrumhalf Chris Whitaker. The Australian sent the pill onwards to Denie Hickie who popped it on to Jamie Heaslip just in time for the big number eight to thunder over the line. It was no more than their efforts of the past few minutes had merited but Agen . . .

or Rupeni Caucaunibuca to be more accurate . . . had the puff whisked from their sails within three minutes.

With very little on and the field in front of him dotted with blue shirts lingering with intent, Caucau popped a clever chip over the congestion and beat Dempsey to the bounce before finishing under the sticks and set them up for a 10-8 half-time advantage.

The next 25 minutes was purely about survival for the visitors as Agen reverted to the game they know and love best by turning the screw up front. Time and again Leinster conceded acres of ground to driving mauls but to their credit their only concession was a Miquel penalty after 45 minutes.

Leinster's only foray up the far end ended with D'Arcy skewing a penalty attempt badly wide but this misfortune was cancelled out by Miquel who connected even worse with a penalty and drop goal attempt within minutes of each other halfway through the period.

The let-offs were welcome but it was hard to see Leinster making use of them, starved as they were of possession, but before long they had again served notice of their ability to live off scraps.

Slowly they worked through the phases, gaining a crucial few yards on every one and before Agen knew it, Denis Hickie had scampered over for the try. The groan that met it from the home crowd said it all.

In a delicious ironic twist, Dempsey stepped up to relieve D'Arcy to add the two points before Andy Dunne all but made the game safe with a crisply struck drop goal just seconds after entering the fray in injury time.

Even then they weren't done, Ronan McCormack piling over for another try which Dunne converted to put a seal on a victory that was worth far more than the basic four points. How do they do it?

AGEN P Elhorga; M Ahotaeiloa, C Stolz, S Mirande, R Caucaunibuca; J Miquel, N Morlaes; P van Niekerk, J Narjissi, K Meeus; W Stolz, K Koulemine; M Lievrermont, C Yukes, T Soucaze Subs E Guinazu for van Niekirk, 46 mins; S Socol for Koulemine, 55 mins; F Culine for Yukes, 66 mins; A Fulton for Morlase, 72 mins; A Mignardi for Caucaunibuca, 72 mins (blood); A Tiatia for Lievremeont, 74 mins; R Caucaunibuca for C Stolz, 76 mins LEINSTER G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Hickie; C Warner, C Whitaker; R McCormack, B Blaney, S Wright; T Hogan, M O'Kelly; S Keogh, K Gleeson, J Heaslip Subs B Jackman for Blaney, 24 mins;

R Corrigan for Wright, 43 mins; A Dunne for Warner, 82 mins Referee T Spreadbury (England)