Match Report | Leinster 24 Ulster 12

Ulster fell to their first defeat of this season’s Guinness PRO14 at the hands of reigning champions Leinster on Friday evening at a freezing RDS Arena.

From the offset, both teams looked to test each other aerially, with opposing back threes dealing well with the high ball. The Ulster men were first to get on the scoreboard after 14 minutes through the boot of John Cooney after Leinster were penalised for tackling Ethan McIlroy in the air.

Leinster had the opportunity to go level but Johnny Sexton’s kick was wide. They soon took the lead however, after sustained pressure, they sent the ball out wide to Dave Kearney who crossed in the corner. Sexton was unable to convert.

Despite being a man down through a yellow card to Marcell Coetzee, Ulster managed the period superbly, retaining the ball well and forcing turnovers to allow Cooney to land two excellent penalties to go in 5-9 ahead at the break.

The hosts were quick to respond in the opening minutes of the second half, with Sean Cronin bundling over from a Leinster maul in the corner to take the lead, and Sexton knocked over the conversion.

Leinster struck again 10 minutes later, after pounding the Ulster line, before sending the ball out wide for Robbie Henshaw to break an Ulster tackle and score for an unconverted try.

Leinster continued to press but Ulster defence held firm, a couple of line-out steals key to keeping a foothold in the game.

Ulster chipped away at the deficit after Leinster were penalised for going off their feet, and Cooney made no mistake with the long-range effort. However, Leinster secured their 4-try bonus point in the 73rd minute through replacement hooker, James Tracy grounding the ball from the Leinster maul, with Ross Byrne converting.

The visitors fought hard in the final minutes and showed great patience to build the phases, but a steal from Ross Byrne thwarted any opportunity for Ulster to put more points on the board.

Full-time score: Leinster 24 Ulster 12

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

When @henshawrob gets a sniff of the try line, it’s game over @leinsterrugby have fought their way back into control, will they hold it?

Watch Live Now on @PremierSportsTV#GuinnessPRO14 #LEIvULS pic.twitter.com/q5HpyIyVfr

— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) January 8, 2021

SCORERS

Leinster

Tries: Dave Kearney, Sean Cronin, Robbie Henshaw, James Tracy

Conversions: Johnny Sexton, Ross Byrne

Ulster

Penalties: Cooney (4)

LINE-UPS

Leinster

(15-9) Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney, Johnny Sexton (Capt.); Jamison Gibson-Park,

(1-8) Cian Healy, Seán Cronin, Andrew Porter, Scott Fardy, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: James Tracy, Ed Byrne, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Jimmy O’Brien.

Ulster

(15-9) Michael Lowry, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, John Cooney.

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter (Capt.), Greg Jones, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Ian Madigan, Ben Moxham.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION

Great game! Not our day, we go again boys @UlsterRugby

— Chris Donnelly (@_Chris_Donnelly) January 8, 2021

Well played @UlsterRugby gutted at result but once again some great performances thought greg Jones played brilliant unlucky congrats to @leinsterrugby

— stephen rosbotham (@stephen_ur) January 8, 2021

All over at the RDS Arena

Second-half tries from Sean Cronin, Robbie Henshaw and James Tracy help @leinsterrugby deny @UlsterRugby in a hard-fought Irish derby

Who stood out for you? #GuinnessPRO14 #LEIvULS pic.twitter.com/D5AgJ07vtu

— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) January 8, 2021

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