Good afternoon one and all and welcome along to our live coverage of this New Year’s Eve interpro between Leinster and Ulster at the RDS.
Ryan Bailey here to guide you through all the action as it happens while Sean Farrell is our man on the ground for this Guinness Pro12 clash between third and fourth.
A sell-out crowd of 18,200 is expected in Ballsbridge and kick-off is fast approaching at 3pm.
Before we get into the thick of preparations, let’s take a check on the teams as named yesterday.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has been able to recall his big guns after the IRFU’s player management protocols meant he was devoid of his internationals for the St Stephen’s Day defeat to Munster.
There is, however, still no sign of Johnny Sexton as he continues his comeback from that troublesome hamstring problem.
Leinster:
15. Isa Nacewa (captain)
14. Adam Byrne
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Noel Reid
11. Rory O’Loughlin
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Michael Bent
4. Devin Toner
5. Hayden Triggs
6. Sean O’Brien
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Richardt Strauss
17. Andrew Porter
18. Jeremy Loughman
19. Mick Kearney
20. Jack Conan
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Tom Daly
23. Zane Kirchner
Les Kiss, meanwhile, has been able to name a relatively strong XV with Andrew Trimble returning from injury and Ruan Pienaar switching to out-half in the absence of Paddy Jackson.
Rory Best, Luke Marshall, Iain Henderson and Jackson all sit this one out.
Ulster:
15. Charles Piutau
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Darren Cave
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Tommy Bowe
10. Ruan Pienaar
9. Paul Marshall
1. Andrew Warwick
2. Rob Herring (captain)
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Kieran Treadwell
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Clive Ross
7. Sean Reidy
8. Roger Wilson
Replacements:
16. John Andrew
17. Callum Black
18. Jonny Simpson
19. Peter Browne
20. Chris Henry
21. Brett Herron
22. Louis Ludik
23. Jacob Stockdale
Mild and overcast in Dublin 4 as we approach kick-off, although the radar shows we could be in for some rain before we’re finished here this afternoon.
Both sets of payers have arrived and are going through their pre-match warm-ups.
The current scene at the RDS, where Sean Farrell has just taken his seat in the media room to enjoy some of the pre-match offerings. A cup of soup is always a treat at this time of year.
Just a reminder that this game is live on Sky Sports 2, with coverage beginning at 2.45pm, while we’ll have minute-by-minute updates here and on rugby_ie on Twitter.
Not long until we get underway now, but to whet the appetite here is a bit of pre-match reading material.
It’s a big day in the Guinness Pro12 with six games down for decision between now and 7.30pm this evening.
Edinburgh have already sealed victory over Zebre in Italy so let’s take a look at today’s other fixtures and how the table currently stands.
- Zebre 19-24 Edinburgh
- Treviso 21-28 Glasgow Warriors (L)
- Leinster v Ulster, 3pm
- Scarlets v Cardiff Blues, 3pm
- Newport Gwent Dragons v Ospreys, 5.05pm
- Connacht v Munster, 5.30pm
Ulster’s record at the RDS is, if truth be told, atrocious. The northern province have beaten Leinster in the capital just once since 1999 and it would take a brave man to bet against a home win again today.
This is the head-to-head record between the teams in the Pro12:
- Played: 31
- Leinster won: 23
- Ulster won: 6
- Drawn: 2
Which way do you see this one going? If you want to join in the conversation, tweet us: @rugby_ie and @The42_ie, e-mail ryan@the42.ie or post your thoughts in the comments section below.
Get those last orders in and take your seats, people.
The RDS is filling up to full capacity and here come the teams. The wind has strengthened and is swirling around this open venue so lets hope it doesn’t have too much of an impact.
Kick-off! Pienaar gets us underway. Leinster playing into the wind in the first half.
Early penalty for Leinster as Ulster are penalised by John Lacey at the breakdown. The hosts go quickly and are throwing it around in their own half during the opening exchanges.
Lovely hands and step from Cronin creates an opening for Nacewa but McGrath is then pinged and Pienaar has the chance to open the scoring in his first game at 10 since February 2014.
Miss! But his radar is off and Ulster spurn the early opportunity to take the lead. It was a tough kick but with the wind at his back, Pienaar would have fancied that one. Byrne gets us back underway.
Unforced error from Paul Marshall as he kicks straight into touch. Play back up towards halfway and a good attacking platform for the hosts.
As the ball comes out towards this near touchline, Isa Nacewa breaks through the first line of defence and Leinster are on the front foot.
Lovely kick from Luke McGrath. Ulster’s defence had stood firm but the scrum-half spots space in behind and his kick is perfectly executed and pressure on Herring to find his man from this line-out.
TRY! Leinster 7-0 Ulster (O’Loughlin)
Oh that’s sensational from O’Loughlin! Leinster’s line-out gives McGrath good attacking ball and O’Loughlin bursts through the tackle in midfield and shows great pace and power to get on the outside of Marshall.
That score had the crowd on their feet and rightly so. It was brilliantly worked from McGrath and Ross Byrne and O’Loughlin picked the perfect line to burst through and he finished it off exceptionally. A try made and scored in St Michael’s College.
Miss! That’s poor from Pienaar. The South African has the chance to get Ulster on the board but he snatches at it and the flags stay down.
Leinster’s handling and running in these opening exchanges has been impressive and Sean Reidy is penalised for not rolling away after making the initial tackle. Byrne sends it deep into Ulster territory and Triggs wins the lineout.
Advantage for Leinster and Nacewa looks to chip in behind. Trimble is there to cover with Adam Byrne hunting it down but Lacey brings it back for the penalty on this near side. Ross Byrne kicks for the corner but Toner knocks on from the lineout.
Rory O’Loughlin’s try separates the teams so far.
Nervous moment there for Ross Byrne. Leinster go through the phases and the out-half looks to throw it wide for Adam Byrne on the right wing but Tommy Bowe steps up and very nearly intercepts to have a free run at the line.
The move eventually breaks down with Sean O’Brien knocking McGrath’s pass forward.
Sell-out crowd of 18,200 at the RDS this afternoon.
Cronin shows that darting pace again as he steps inside and ducks into Stuart McCloskey. The tackle was a touch high and the referee agrees and awards Leinster the penalty. Nacewa calls for the tee.
Penalty! Leinster 10-0 Ulster (Nacewa)
And he makes no mistake to stretch Leinster’s advantage. Playing into the wind, the hosts have enjoyed 80% of the possession so far.
Oh Tommy Bowe! From the restart, O’Brien can’t get his hands on it and the ball bounces perfectly for Bowe to run over the try line on the far side but the Ireland wing fumbles it. The wry smile says it all.
More frustration for Ulster. A strong scrum from the visitors puts Leinster under a lot of pressure but when the chance arrives, another handling error costs them. Ah You the guilty party on this occasion.
Perfect kick from Ross Byrne again to exploit the space in behind and bring play inside the Ulster 22.
With the wind at his back, Charles Piutau clears his lines up to halfway but Ulster haven’t taken advantage of conditions yet. On Sky Sports, Alan Quinlan believes they need to use the wind to pen Leinster deep inside their own half and apply the pressure that way.
Concern for Les Kiss and Ulster as Rob Herring stays down and the skipper requires treatment. Play resumes with a Leinster scrum on halfway.
A scrappy passage of play there as Bent knocks on and then Ulster kick in behind O’Loughlin. The winger does well to get back but his attempted clearance is blocked down by Trimble.
Lovely hands! Leinster run it deep and Ringrose sets O’Brien away with O’Loughlin screaming for it on his shoulder. The flanker attempts to draw the last man but is caught in two minds and is hit by Piutau and then knocks on. A missed chance for Leinster.
Rob Herring’s afternoon is over with that knock to his knee meaning he can’t continue. John Andrew is on for the visitors.
Leinster knocking on the door now as they go through the phases. They’ve played sensible rugby into the wind and the forwards are making good ground every time they carry it into the tackle. O’Brien, Triggs and van der Flier particularly impressive.
In the opening 30 minutes, Leinster have made 71 carries and made 307 metres. By way of comparison, Ulster have made 22 carries and made 10 metres.
TRY! Leinster 17-0 Ulster (Luke McGrath)
The pressure pays off and it’s all too easy for Leinster. From the lineout, the hosts execute a training ground move involving Cronin and Jack McGrath and McGrath races through to dot down. Nacewa adds the extras.
Superb work from JVDF at the breakdown again as Ulster look for the perfect response. Leinster turn it over and win the penalty with Byrne pinging it into the opposition half.
It’s all too easy for Leinster. Their pack is dominating in every aspect of the game and they are full value for their 17-0 lead. Another RDS shocker for Ulster and their supporters so far.
That just about sums up Ulster’s day. Piutau loses the ball in contact when wrapped up by JDVF and O’Loughlin and the frustration grows for the visitors. Inside the last minute of this first half.
Half-time! Leinster 17-0 Ulster
Well that was a very one-sided half of rugby and Leinster have dominated in every area of the pitch. This superb score from Rory O’Loughlin set them on their way.
‘No heart, no passion. Nobody wanting to get out of the line… we need to wake up.”
Stephen Ferris just about sums it up on Sky Sports.
Back underway! Leinster restart and we’re away in this second half.
TRY! Leinster 22-0 Ulster (O’Loughlin)
Oh my word, that’s superb — but also so easy at the same time! The hosts start on the front foot and after building the phases, Byrne stabs through for O’Loughlin to latch onto for his second of the day.
Ulster are all over the place and they’re being cut apart at will. It could be a long 40 minutes now for the visitors.
Ah You knocks it on again and nothing is going Ulster’s way. They’re lacking cohesion and any sort of confidence with ball in hand. Leinster then win the penalty from the scrum.
Leinster going for the jugular now. Byrne kicks to touch 10 metres from the Ulster line and Cronin trots over to find his man but the move breaks down with a misplaced pass.
Ah You makes way for John Simpson, who is on for his senior debut.
First moment of attacking intent from Leinster. Cave makes the initial break and Pienaar then kicks in behind to leave Leinster scrambling but O’Loughlin is across to cover.
Ulster have the attacking lineout inside the Leinster 22 as they search for their first points of the day.
But the door is shut in Ulster’s face! Just as it looked like the visitors were gaining some momentum in the maul from the lineout, Jack McGrath forces the turnover yards from his own line.
Tireless work from JVDF again as he gets his hands on the ball to stop Ulster in their tracks. Leinster have been so aggressive at the breakdown in both attack and defence and it has really showed.
Roger Wilson, meanwhile, has been forced off with injury and Chris Henry is on in his place.
Ulster asking questions of the Leinster defence for the first time — and the home side are responding in kind. The ball is still there for the visitors.
Yellow card! Jack McGrath is sent to the bin by John Lacey as Leinster scramble to keep Ulster at bay. The northern province throwing everything at it now with McGrath penalised for hands in the ruck.
With McGrath in the bin, Andrew Porter is on to cover in the scrum. Adam Byrne makes way for the time being.
Really solid scrum and Ulster get good ball through Marshall but there’s no way through the wall of blue shirts and the move breaks down. Nacewa steps in and hacks clear. Ulster now have to restart from halfway.
Louis Ludik is on for his 50th appearance for Ulster with Trimble making way.
Ulster enjoying a better period but they’ve yet to make their numerical advantage count.
A couple of changes for Leinster with Strauss on for Cronin and McGrath making way for Jamison Gibson-Park.
So close! Piutau breaks the line and Ulster are closing on the line but Leinster manage to get numbers back and close the door on Sean Reidy. Superb defence from the hosts.
The home crowd are on their feet as Ulster’s move breaks down with another handling error. Leinster’s defence was really stretched there with Andrew Porter down after a huge collision in midfield.
The 20-year-old prop has gone off for a HIA and Jeremy Loughman is on in the front row.
For Ulster, meanwhile, Jacob Stockdale is on for Tommy Bowe. 15 minutes remaining at the RDS.
Flurry of changes now with Mick Kearney replacing Hayden Triggs in the Leinster second row. The hosts still looking for a fourth try to secure the all-important bonus point.
Rory O’Loughlin won’t get the chance to score his third as he is replaced by Zane Kirchner.
Ulster have been camped inside the Leinster 22 for much of this half but don’t have any points to show for it. Similarly, Leinster will be disappointed that they haven’t been able to kick on and they’ve enjoyed hardly any ball in opposition territory since the restart.
Failure to get a fourth try here would be a bad result considering their dominance of this game. Nine minutes left on the clock.
Ross Byrne is given the last few minutes off as Tom Daly comes on at out-half.
A scrappy, stop-start second half has been frustrating for Leinster as they’ve let their standards drop since O’Loughlin’s second try and it looks like they’re going to miss the chance to seal an important bonus-point win.
TRY! Leinster 22-7 Ulster (Piutau)
It was coming! Brilliant no-look pass from Pienaar creates the opening for the All Black and there’s no stopping Piutau as he powers over the line.
Rory O’Loughlin named man of the match by Shane Horgan and Alan Quinlan in the Sky Sports commentary box.
Full-time! Leinster 22-7 Ulster
Leinster stroll to victory but a strange atmosphere at full time with the home players and fans knowing they really should have secured five points from that game. There were so many great games in 2016 but that won’t go down as one of them.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon. Full report and reaction to follow from the RDS shortly but we’re heading over to Galway for live coverage of Connacht’s clash with Munster.
All the build-up from the Sportsground is right here.
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