IRISH province Leinster are threatening to cite up to three Newport players after an incident near the end of last night's Celtic League quarter-final thriller at Donnybrook.

Newport fell to a 34-22 defeat after another battling performance against Leinster, their third loss against them in five weeks.

But with time running out Leinster's match winning Australian outside half Nathan Spooner had to be led from the field in a dazed condition.

Leinster coach Matt Williams and provincial officials say they will examine the video before deciding what action to take.

They claim that Newport forwards Adrian Garvey (pictured) Rod Snow and Peter Buxton were all involved, indicating that Garvey was the main culprit.

"We will look at the video. Spooner has seen a doctor and suffered cuts around the eye, cheek and neck. Without a doubt he was targeted," said Williams.

Newport coach Ian McIntosh said he was unaware of any incident.

"I haven't seen the tape, we will have to address it when the problem comes because I didn't see it."

Newport paid a heavy price for a terrible start as they crashed out of the Celtic League competition.

They trailed 24-3 after only 19 minutes and though they came back to within two points it was not enough against such formidable opposition.

Newport became the first visiting team this season to score three tries at the ground.

"We can't start a game like we did tonight because it gave them the platform it needed," said McIntosh.

"We kept kicking the ball to them and we did it again in the last ten minutes.

"We really lost this game in the first ten minutes though Leinster were again lucky with their first try which was the easiest one they will ever get.

"We were playing catch-up from there. To come back like we did showed fantastic character."