Ulster vs Leinster

Leinster came out on top in Belfast thanks to tries from Ryan Baird and Dan Sheehan.

Cooney’s conversion cut Leinster’s lead to 10 points. The remainder of the half was dominated by a torrential downpour and the only score came from the boot of Byrne after Leinster opted for the posts with a 37th-minute penalty. A dominant first half helped Leinster triumph 20-13 and go three wins from three in a top-of-the-table Irish derby clash with Ulster at a rain-swept Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

Two tries in the opening 21 minutes from Ryan Baird and Dan Sheehan helped Leinster into a lead they would not relinquish, although they came under pressure ...

Sexton was sprung from the bench but it was his namesake who went agonisingly close to a second try. John Cooney converts Byrne added another penalty after the restart as Ulster frustrations continued to grow. Henshaw read a quick lineout and forced a turnover, with Ross Byrne finding touch deep inside the 22. [https://t.co/aYTTJPkSeX] [https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB]

Result came down to a matter of inches with Leinster saved by important tackle from Charlie Ngatai.

But Leinster kept Ulster at arm’s length before a final turnover led to Nick McCarthy kicking the ball dead. Ulster had some more joy from another high kick when a couple of Leinster players blocked the chase and they went to the corner. The Leinster pack drew a further line in the sand when the Ulster scrum disintegrated, and off the ensuing penalty up the line there were carries by Robbie Henshaw, Sheehan and Jenkins. But Lowry’s second knock-on relieved the pressure and when Matty Rea went off his feet after a great take by Henshaw, Byrne made it 17-3 at the break. Aaron Sexton did make a good read when coming off his wing but Leinster recycled quickly and went left again, where Garry Ringrose tipped on Ross Byrne’s pass for Dave Kearney to give Ryan Baird a run-in by the corner flag after slipping through the tackle of Cooney, who was the last man. Although it had been a pleasant and sunny drive north, the rain returned before kick-off and bucketed down early in the second quarter, which undoubtedly favoured Leinster more than Ulster, who like to play a high tempo, quick recycling game.

The visitors led by 17 points shortly after the intervalbut a John Andrew score on the hour lit the touch paper for Ulster's response.

That it came from their first offering only added to the strength of the blow. Then Jimmy O’Brien was given a yellow card and John Andrew went over for Ulster’s first try from a maul of their own. Ulster had ten in their XV – and would have loved it if Rob Baloucoune and a few more of their lads were at home and not on an Emerging Ireland tour. Ross Byrne added the conversion before they put together another impressive defensive shift that halted an Ulster maul inches from their line. A guaranteed video nasty when Ulster go through the tape next week. From small acorns and all that…

It was Ulster who actually started the brighter and made most of the running in the first five minutes or so, with Billy Burns and John Cooney using box kicks ...

Ulster have the penalty now. Leinster all over the shop and Ulster look like scoring everytime they get the ball. Ulster 3-20 Leinster It's given as a knock-on by Aaron Sexton. Despite their best efforts, Ulster couldn't eat into the seven point deficit. Ulster topped the table going into the contest. Much more competitve game than it looked like being in that first half. However, a Ross Byrne penalty was all they had to show for their dominance, and some sloppy play allowed Ulster to claw their way back into the game. Ulster 10-20 Leinster Ulster 15-20 Leinster Ulster 13-20 Leinster FT: Ulster 13-20 Leinster

Kingspan stadium is the venue for tonight's big game - kick-off is 7.35pm.

Ulster have the penalty now. Leinster all over the shop and Ulster look like scoring everytime they get the ball. Ulster 3-20 Leinster It's given as a knock-on by Aaron Sexton. Much more competitve game than it looked like being in that first half. Ulster 10-20 Leinster Ulster 15-20 Leinster Ulster 13-20 Leinster Marcus Rea 8. Matty Rea 7. FT: Ulster 13-20 Leinster Ulster starting XV

Leinster survived a second half comeback from Ulster to record a 20-13 win in a physical and scappy encounter in difficult conditions in Ravenhill.

Very little between the teams in the end." "In those big moments, I thought Ulster were just left wanting slightly. A crucial intervention However, Ulster found a new lease of life and began take control of the breakdown and set piece. [https://t.co/aYTTJPkSeX] [https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB]