Match Reports

Match Report | Ulster 19 Leinster 38

6th March 2021
Despite a valiant performance, Ulster fell to defeat by a dominant Leinster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday evening. The visitors were first to get on the board through a Ross Byrne penalty after four minutes - Ulster getting penalised for going off their feet. Leinster found themselves down to fourteen after Devin Toner made a high challenge on Mike Lowry, and was sent to the bin for his troubles. Ulster capitalised after the Ulster pack went on the charge through the maul, then opted to pick-and-go, with Marcell Coetzee on hand to punch his way over to score. John Cooney fired over the conversion. Ulster struck again, Stuart McCloskey making a superb offload to John Andrew who passed to Robert Baloucoune to finish in the corner. Cooney’s touch line conversion attempt bounced off the uprights. Leinster saw yellow again after Jimmy O’Brien made head contact with Ian Madigan in the run-up to Baloucoune’s try. Leinster responded after a sustained period of pressure, and prop Michael Bent barged over from close range and Byrne converted. Just three minutes later, they got dividends after Stuart McCloskey was yellow-carded and Leinster openside Josh van der Flier crossed for the visitors. Andrew Warwick had a premature end to his game after being shown a red card for leading with the forearm. Leinster continued to attack, with Ulster down to thirteen, and Ed Byrne got Leinster’s third score of the evening just before half-time. Ulster looked set to score in the 49th minute with Robert Baloucoune going on a sensational run in, but after a second look, the referee deemed it to be no try because of a block. Leinster had the tails up, and relentlessly attacked a heroic Ulster defensive line. Eventually, they found a way through Rhys Ruddock to get the bonus point, Ross Byrne landing the conversion. Stuart McCloskey and  Tom O’Toole were both denied over the line by being held up by a staunch Leinster defence. Rhys Ruddock was sent to the bin after repeated Leinster infringements and Ulster got their third try through Nick Timoney, who powered over following the Ulster onslaught. Michael Lowry took over the kicking duties and nailed the conversion. The visitors soon replied with another wave of attack, and Ulster had to defend their line once again. After a series of penalties, Cormac Izuchukwu was the man to find himself in the bin for the final couple of minutes of the game, and Leinster’s replacement hooker,  Dan Sheehan breached the Ulster line as the clock turned red. Ross Byrne was on-target once again off the tee to put the game to bed. Leinster have now extended their lead at the top of Conference A with 65 points and Ulster remain in second place on 54 points. Full-time score: Ulster 19 Leinster 38

WORTH ANOTHER LOOK

SCORERS

Ulster Tries: Marcell Coetzee, Robert Baloucoune, Nick Timoney Cons: John Cooney, Michael Lowry Leinster Tries: Michael Bent, Josh van der Flier, Ed Byrne, Rhys Ruddock, Dan Sheehan Cons: Ross Byrne (5) Pens: Ross Byrne

LINE-UPS

Ulster Michael Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Ian Madigan, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, Jordi Murphy (Capt.), Marcell Coetzee. Replacements: Adam McBurney, Andrew Warwick, Marty Moore, Cormac Izuchukwu, Sean Reidy, Alby Mathewson, Stewart Moore, Rob Lyttle. Leinster Max O'Reilly, Cian Kelleher, Jimmy O'Brien, Rory O'Loughlin, Dave Kearney, Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath (CAPT), Ed Byrne, James Tracy, Michael Bent, Devin Toner, Scott Fardy, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Scott Penny. Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Peter Dooley, Thomas Clarkson, Ross Molony, Josh Murphy, Rowan Osborne, Jamie Osborne, Jack Dunne.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION

WHERE WE STAND

Image removed.