Munster vs Leinster

Leinster outscored Munster by four tries to one to earn a bonus-point win at Thomond Park which extends their United Rugby Championship lead.

The home crowd erupted and Carbery converted. The pack pounded away before Byrne swung a pass wide for Ringrose to go over unopposed in the corner. Byrne added the conversion.

Leinster proved too strong for Munster in Saturday's URC interprovincial derby, wrapping up a 34-19 bonus-point victory at a dismayed Thomond Park.

Instead, Leinster rubberstamped victory by taking their next chance - and with it registering a try bonus-point - as Lowe sprinted in to dive over for his second of the night. A harsh penalty against Munster hooker Niall Scannell for not releasing at the breakdown handed Leinster further territory gains, and when Coombes was next to fall foul of the whistle at the breakdown to the frustration of home support, Byrne kicked Leinster 11-6 ahead. Another Munster breakdown transgression had the visitors back in possession, and when the home side were next caught offside after a series of Leinster phases, Byrne tapped over from close-range for the lead.

Munster fell to a derby defeat at Thomond Park on Saturday night as Leinster moved clear at the top of the URC table. Damian de Allende was the Munster ...

Joey Carbery starts at out-half for Munster against Leinster. Joey Carbery starts at out-half for Munster against Leinster. Jason Jenkins makes his first start for Munster in the second row alongside Fineen Wycherley, who starts his eighth game in succession.

Leinster make the trip south-west to Limerick this evening to take on Munster as first and fourth in the United Rugby Championship meet.

Where is the match? The game is sold out. With Peter O’Mahony also back in situ in the Munster back row, the breakdown battle will be key and much will depend on the performance of Leinster’s Josh van der Flier. The Wicklow man has established himself as one of the world’s best openside forwards and the battle between him and O’Mahony will be fascinating to behold. Who is the referee? “This week is going to have to be really switched on, go in with a good game plan. What date is the match?

After a bumper day of rugby action between Ireland's tussle with France in the Women's Six Nations as well as Ulster and Connacht taking on Bulls and ...

The home crowd were repeatedly silenced as James Lowe went in twice from the corner as well as setting up Jimmy O'Brien in between those scores to secure a bonus point. After a bumper day of rugby action between Ireland's tussle with France in the Women's Six Nations as well as Ulster and Connacht taking on Bulls and Benetton respectively, Leinster's visit to Thomond Park took centre stage tonight. Once the second half began, it was one-way traffic as Munster ran out of ideas while Leinster - boosted by an entirely new front row of Tadgh Furlong, Dan Sheehan and Cian Healy - really put the squeeze on them.

Leinster Rugby flooded forward for a bonus-point win over Munster at Thomond Park, stretching their lead to 10points at the head of the URC.

From there, it was punchy work from the pick-and-go and Player of the Match Caelan Doris’ drive that earned a penalty advantage. A terrific turnover by Josh van der Flier was not enough for a Leinster breakout and the Ireland flanker was whistled for a poaching knee on the ground for Munster to hit the front for the first time from Carbery’s penalty in the 37th minute. They raided up the right through Keenan and O’Brien countered into traffic for simple passes, allowing Lowe to fend Niall Scannell, improvising to knee the ball forward only for Carbery to come to the rescue and clear. Munster were disrupted at the scrum and a collective counter-ruck provided one more chance for Byrne to make it 14-12 before the break. The high-flying take of Matt Gallagher and a bullish carry from Chris Cloete on the touchline were the starting points for quick ball and a strong carry from Gavin Coombes was backed-up by Carbery’s second penalty for 8-6 in the 22nd minute. Garry Ringrose’s burst, Henshaw’s link, Ross Byrne’s delay of pass and a barrage of carries claimed another penalty on the 16th phase of play for Byrne to kick the visitors in front in the 10th minute.