NEWPORT Gwent Dragons saved their best until the last, shocking Magners League champions Leinster with a glorious victory in an eight-try thriller at Rodney Parade tonight, avenging last week's heavy defeat in Dublin.

The Dragons threw caution to the wind and, incredibly, had a bonus point wrapped up after only 20 minutes with four sparkling tries.

Skipper Colin Charvis led magnificently and if this was his final appearance before retiring he could not have gone out on a better note. Lock Luke Charteris was also outstanding and the backs played with a style previously unseen this season.

Retiring team manager Jim McCreedy received a generous reception as he came out of the dressing room with the Dragons team.

And they rocked the champions by shooting into a second minute lead. Young Jason Tovey chipped the ball over the cover, centre Rhodri Davies gathered in full stride and though the ball struck hooker Steve Jones on the head and a Leinster player Jones regathered and strolled over for a try which Tovey converted.

Four minutes later the Dragons did it again. Centre Phil Dollman sidestepped through before offloading to scrum half Wayne Evans who just made it to the line with defenders clinging to him.

And after 15 minutes the fans celebrated again as the Dragons pack drove Leinster back and prop Hugh Gustafson barged over.

Leinster outside half Jonathan Sexton briefly interrupted the flow with a straightforward penalty, but amazingly the Dragons secured a bonus point after only 20 minutes with their fourth try.

Wyatt broke through in midfield and passed to centre Phil Dollman who shot over for a try which Tovey converted from near the touchline.

The Irishmen finally got their act together when the pack drove for the line and aftert the ball came back centre Michael Berne was unmarked and scored with ease for Sexton to convert.

And, like the Dragons, they quickly scored again, wing Shane Horgan handling twice to put full back Girvan Dempsey over in the corner for an unconverted try.

The Dragons lost prop newcomer Pat Palmer after 35 minutes with a leg injury, replaced by Adam Black, meaning the Dragons had to battle on with two loose heads.

A quite brilliant turnover by Colin Charvis forced a penalty, but Tovey missed a comfortable shot at goal.

Joe Bearman, struggling with a back injury, was replaced by Lewis Evans at half-time, and Leinster struck first with a second Sexton penalty.

It became real cut and thrust as Leinster countered and the fans got fired up, the gap now only six points. But the Dragons were denied a try for a previous infringement as Jamie Harris raced clear.

The Dragons camped in the Leinster 22 and after Harris was just held Adam Black made no mistake from close in. Replacement Ceri Sweeney converted.

Leinster replied with a second try by Berne and in injury time Harris was yellow carded and Sexton drop kicked a penalty, but there was no denying the Dragons their moment of glory and they were met with a rapturous reception at the final whistle.

Newport Gwent Dragons: K Morgan, G Wyatt, R Davies, P Dollman (P Emerick 56), R Fussell, J Tovey (C Sweeney 61), W Evans (A Walker 61), H Gustafson (S Jones 68), S Jones (B Daly 54), P Palmer (A Black 35), A Hall, L Charteris (A Jones 54), C Charvis (captain), J Bearman (L Evans 40), J Harris.

Scorers -- tries: S Jones, W Evans, H Gustafson, P Dollman, A Black; conversions: J Tovey (2), C Sweeney.

Leinster: G Dempsey, S Horgan, B O'Driscoll (captain), M Berne, G Brown (C Warner 67), J Sexton, C Keane, C Healy (R McCormack 51), B Blaney (B Jackman 51), S Knoop (J Gomez 17), T Hogan, D Toner (M O'Kelly 51), C Jowitt (R Leyden 56), S Keogh, K McLaughlin.

Scorers -- tries: M Berne (2), G Dempsey; conversion: J Sexton; penalties: Sexton (3) .

Referee: Mr. C Stanley (Ireland).

Attendance: 5,1112.