James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Good evening, and welcome along to our coverage of the URC inter-pro clash between Connacht and Leinster at Galway’s Dexcom Stadium.

As Ireland prepare for their Nations Championship games in November, both sides have shuffled the deck for this tie. Leinster have a strong record against Connacht, winning their last 13 encounters, and have not lost at this venue since 2018.

Both sides come into this game on the back of victories, with Leinster accounting for Munster last weekend while Connacht got the better of Zebre.

We’ll have team line-ups for you in the next few moments as we gear up for the 7.45pm kick-off.

Connacht 

• 15. Josh Ioane 
• 14. Shayne Bolton 
• 13. John Devine
• 12. Cathal Forde 
• 11. Daniel Ryan
• 10. Sean Naughton
• 9. Caolin Blade 

• 1. Francois van Wyk
• 2. Dave Heffernan
• 3. Finlay Bealham 
• 4. Josh Murphy
• 5. David O’Connor
• 6. Sean O’Brien
• 7. Will Connors 
• 8. Paul Boyle (capt) 

Replacements

• 16. Matthew Victory
• 17. Jerry Cahir
• 18. Fiachna Barrett
• 19. Niall Murray
• 20. Shamus Hurley-Langton
• 21. Colm Reilly
• 22. Finn Treacy 
• 23. Sam Gilbert

Leinster

• 15. Todd Lawlor
• 14. Joshua Kenny
• 13. Connor Fahy
• 12. Charlie Tector
• 11. Jordan Larmour
• 10. Joey Carbery
• 9. Fintan Gunne

• 1. Alex Usanov
• 2. Gus McCarthy
• 3. Niall Smyth
• 4. Brian Deeny
• 5. Alan Spicer
• 6. Max Deegan (capt)
• 7. Scott Penny
• 8. James Culhane 

Replacements:

• 16. Stephen Smyth
• 17. Peter Dooley
• 18. Alex Mullan
• 19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh
• 20. Alex Soroka
• 21. Cormac Foley
• 22. Caspar Gabriel
• 23. Ciarán Mangan

If you have time before kick-off, have a listen to this week’s edition of Rugby Weekly here as Ciarán Kennedy and Gavan Casey discuss a busy week of off-field developments and look ahead to the URC games.

The teams are heading out now. It’s almost time to get underway.

A minute of silence is observed for Connacht supporter Seán Coppinger who recently passed away.

Kick-Off! Connacht v Leinster

3 mins: Connacht 0-0 Leinster

And we are underway at the Dexcom Stadium, as Leinster try to work through the phases before Brian Deeny makes a break.

But Connacht win the ball back following a knock-on by James Culhane.

5 mins: Connacht 0-0 Leinster

Referee Hollie Davidson calls for a reset as Caolin Blade puts the ball in again. The scrum is good and Connacht start moving, but Daniel Ryan puts the ball out on the full and Leinster regain possession.

10 mins: Connacht 0-0 Leinster

A big hit on Joey Carbery from Shayne Bolton after releasing a kick. The referee waves play on though, and the move ends with Blade getting a kick away.

13 mins: Connacht 0-0 Leinster

A super kick from Seán Naughton pushes Leinster back for a lineout. The visitors secure possession from the set-piece.

Connacht are then awarded a free kick which they put into the air. Jordan Larmour collects and finds touch with a good kick.

14 mins: Connacht 0-0 Leinster

Connacht lose possession from the lineout as the ball is knocked on. The referee allows Leinster the advantage before bringing the play back for the Leinster scrum.

TRY! Connacht 0-7 Leinster (Gus McCarthy ’16)

18 mins: Connacht 0-7 Leinster

We have our first try of the night as Gus McCarthy completes a well executed lineout to give Leinster the lead with a powerful surge over the line.

Joey Carbery swings over the conversion and Leo Cullen’s side are in control after the opening 20 minutes.

21 mins: Connacht 0-7 Leinster

Leinster look like they’re going to get another try after a brilliant break. Connor Fahy tries to push the ball down, but he knocks the ball on and Connacht have a scrum. But it’s in front of their own line.

22 mins: Connacht 0-7 Leinster

A big let-off for Connacht as the referee awards a penalty to the hosts and Naughton clears the danger with a kick to find touch.

But Leinster are starting to attack again.

24 mins: Connacht 0-7 Leinster

An chéad úd don chluiche faighte ag Gus McCarthy do na Laighnigh Leinster strike first as Gus McCarthy goes through for the try 16 nóim ⏳️ @connachtrugby 0 @leinsterrugby 5 @RSAIreland @IrishRugby #URC https://t.co/n1Pn8tcyhF

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 30, 2026

24 mins: Connacht 0-7 Leinster

Connacht under serious pressure to prevent another try. Leinster are inches away with another powerful attack. They’re right under the posts now.

TRY! Connacht 0-14 Leinster (Jordan Larmour ’24)

TRY! Connacht 5-14 Leinster (Dave Heffernan ’27)

29 mins: Connacht 5-14 Leinster

A frantic few minutes as Jordan Larmour gets Leinster’s second try of the night after that period of intense pressure.

But Connacht strike back almost immediately, with Dave Heffernan touching down after a super maul just as the rain and wind start to pick up.

Naughton tries to curl his conversion over, but his kick gets hooked into the wind.

TRY! Connacht 5-21 Leinster (Todd Lawlor ’32)

34 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

And that’s try number three for Leinster as full-back Todd Lawlor slides in at the corner. Carbery is three for three from conversion strikes.

34 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

Jordan Larmour ag aimsiú an spás chun úd a fháil do Laighin Jordan Larmour spots the gap as he gets the try for Leinster 24 nóim ⏳️ @connachtrugby 0 @leinsterrugby 14 @RSAIreland @IrishRugby #URC https://t.co/KHZVfqaEhS

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 30, 2026

Freagra maith ó na Connachtaigh le Dave Heffernan ag aimsiú an úd Great response from Connacht as Dave Heffernan gets the try 27 nóim ⏳️ @connachtrugby 5 @leinsterrugby 14 @RSAIreland @IrishRugby #URC https://t.co/Sk2DQzLGYQ

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 30, 2026

39 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

Connacht lose control of the slippy ball as they attempt to move possession across the line, but they can’t hold onto it, and it goes out for a Leinster lineout.

The hosts get it back after a box kick from Fintan Gunne and Blade sends the ball down for Joshua Kenny to claim.

Kenny gets the wheels going and finds space to set up an attack. They quickly get up to Connacht’s five-metre line, and win a penalty which they opt to send to the corner.

39 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

A chéad úd riamh ag Tom Lawlor do na Laighnigh Tom Lawlor gets his first try in a Leinster jersey 31 nóim ⏳️ @connachtrugby 5 @leinsterrugby 21 @RSAIreland @IrishRugby #URC https://t.co/Eek5nBWtQC

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 30, 2026

40 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

McCarthy goes short with the lineout, but Leinster are penalised for the ball not going straight and Connacht will look to put this out and bring the half to a close if they can secure possession from the scrum.

Half-Time! Connacht 5-21 Leinster

Connacht 5-21 Leinster

It’s all Leinster so far. They look so dominant in possession and are overpowering Connacht in every area.

Tries from Gus McCarthy, Jordan Larmour and Todd Lawlor give Leo Cullen’s side a commanding lead at the break. Dave Heffernan’s try appeared to give Connacht a spark, but they need more of that in the second half if they are to get back into this contest.

Second Half: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

41 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

A stat to sum up the difference in the first half – Leinster beat 21 defenders. Connacht beat three.

41 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

This is more like it from Connacht as they get inside Leinster territory. 

42 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

All that good work goes to waste however as the ball spills out of Blade’s hand as he tries to release a pass. The rain is really coming down in Galway, making handling quite tricky.

42 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

John Devine looks to be in pain as he receives treatment, and it looks like he might have to make way.

43 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

Connacht change: Sam Gilbert comes in for Devine.

44 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

Gunne puts in for the Leinster scrum. But the referee is not happy as the scrum pops up, and calls for a reset.

46 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

Connacht get their first lineout of the second half away as Blade releases a box-kick. Gunne does the same when Leinster win the ball back.

Blade then tries to gather another Gunne boxkick, but it slips through his grasp and Leinster are smelling blood again.

46 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

Max Deegan tries to go in at the corner but gets pushed out into touch.

47 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

Good lineout from Connacht under pressure, as Blade gets the kick away cleanly.

49 mins: Connacht 5-21 Leinster

Advantage for Leinster as Larmour makes a huge gain. The referee then brings the play back for a Leinster penalty, punishing Shayne Bolton for diving on a player.

49 mins: Connacht 5-24 Leinster (Joey Carbery penalty)

51 mins: Connacht 5-24 Leinster

Carbery opts for the posts and converts the penalty to stretch Leinster’s advantage.

TRY! Connacht 5-29 Leinster (Max Deegan ’52)

53 mins: Connacht 5-29 Leinster

And that’s the bonus point for Leinster. They simply overwhelm Connacht with their quick offloads and fast movement. Gunne creates the score with a loop pass out wide to Deegan who bundles over.

Carbery misses his first conversion.

58 mins: Connacht 5-29 Leinster

Scott Penny wins a penalty for Leinster which gets a huge roar from his teammates. Leinster are ruthlessly looking for more points here as they get the ball going again from a clean lineout.

60 mins: Connacht 5-29 Leinster 

So, Joey Carbery has gone in at the corner for a try but the TMO has been called to review the score. It looks like Shamus Hurley-Langton is being prevented from being able to break free to make a tackle.

TRY! Connacht 5-36 Leinster (Joey Carbery ’60)

63 mins: Connacht 5-36 Leinster 

The referee is happy that no infringement has taken place and Carbery’s try is tagged on. Again, it came from a set-piece as Leinster get the ball out quickly from a scrum and recycle it out to Carbery on the wing who flies over.

He adds the conversion and Leinster are strolling to victory here.

67 mins: Connacht 5-36 Leinster 

Connacht with their first meaningful attack of the second half, and they’re inches from the try-line after some patient play.

68 mins: Connacht 5-36 Leinster 

Connacht get a penalty and the referee approaches Leinster captain Max Deegan to warn him that his side has conceded three consecutive penalties.

69 mins: Connacht 5-36 Leinster 

Leinster get the ball back for a scrum as Matthew Victory knocks the ball on.

70 mins: Connacht 5-36 Leinster 

And that then becomes a penalty for Leinster. Connacht just cannot get a break.

TRY! Connacht 5-43 Leinster (Ciarán Mangan ’72) 

75 mins: Connacht 5-43 Leinster 

An early Christmas present for Ciarán Mangan who pounces to intercept a pass and run straight through under the posts.

It all came from that Leinster pressure again as Connacht couldn’t transfer the ball at speed and Mangan timed his intervention perfectly.

Carbery pops over the conversion.

TRY! Connacht 5-50 Leinster (Fintan Gunne ’77)

79 mins: Connacht 5-50 Leinster

Tar éis féachaint ón TMO, tá úd faighte ag Joey Carbery do na Laighnigh Joey Carbery gets a try for Leinster in the corner 60 nóim ⏳️ @connachtrugby 5 @leinsterrugby 36 @RSAIreland @IrishRugby #URC https://t.co/JXhPM1qsmD

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 30, 2026

Goid déanta ag Ciaran Mangan agus úd eile do na Laighnigh Ciaran Mangan intercepts and Leinster have another try 72 nóim ⏳️ @connachtrugby 5 @leinsterrugby 43 @RSAIreland @IrishRugby #URC https://t.co/PbjOBkrehq

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 30, 2026

80 mins: Connacht 5-50 Leinster

Connacht try for one final push at the Leinster line, but get held up. And that just sums up their night.

Full-Time! Connacht 5-50 Leinster 

Connacht 5-50 Leinster

Leinster come away from Galway with seven tries after an utterly dominant performance. The writing was on the wall at half-time with tries from Gus McCarthy, Jordan Larmour and Todd Lawlor giving Leinster a 21-5 advantage.

Max Deegan’s try wrapped up the bonus point in the second half with further tries coming from Joey Carbery, Ciarán Mangan and Fintan Gunne to finish the game with a flourish.

Dave Heffernan’s first-half try were the only points on the board for Connacht on a night they will want to forget.

Connacht 5-50 Leinster

Well, that’s all from us, folks.

Before you go, have a read of Murray Kinsella’s match report live from the Dexcom Stadium here.

We hope you enjoyed tonight’s coverage, and look forward to having you with us again soon.

Until next time, good luck!