Hello, good evening and welcome to the RDS for our live coverage of the Guinness Pro12 derby between Leinster and Ulster.
Leinster, beaten in their last two outings, are hoping to arrest their recent dip in form while Ulster are themselves coming off the back of a disappointing European performance.
There’s much more than just provincial bragging rights on the line in Dublin 4. Kick-off is 7.35pm but stick with us for all the build-up between now and then.
Let us know how you think the game will go in the comments section, by emailing us at ryan@the42.ie or tweeting us @rugby_ie.
Hot off the press, here’s the team-sheet for this evening’s game. As announced earlier, Rob Kearney misses out through injury and is replaced by Isa Nacewa.
If your eyesight isn’t what it used to be, this is how Leinster will line-up. Zane Kirchner will win his 50th cap for the province on the wing, two years after his debut.
There are also four changes to Leinster’s forwards following last weekend’s defeat to Bath, starting with Jack McGrath replacing Cian Healy.
Tadhg Furlong, Mike McCarthy and Josh van der Flier also make the first XV, the latter following his try-scoring debut in the Champions Cup.
Leinster
15. Isa Nacewa
14. Zane Kirchner
13. Ben Te’o
12. Ian Madigan
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7, Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN
Replacements
16. James Tracy
17. Peter Dooley
18. Martin Moore
19. Ross Molony
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Eoin Reddan
22. Noel Reid
23. Garry Ringrose
Ruan Pienaar will make his 100th appearance for Ulster tonight while Peter Nelson is one of four new faces introduced by Less Kiss as he starts at full-back with the back three completed by Craig Gilroy and Andrew Trimble.
Ulster
15. Peter Nelson
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Darren Cave
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Craig Gilroy
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar
1. Kyle McCall
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Iain Henderson
5. Dan Tuohy
6. Robbie Diack
7. Sean Reidy
8. Nick Williams
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Ricky Lutton
19. Roger Wilson
20. Chris Henry
21. Paul Marshall
22. Ian Humphreys
23. Louis Ludik
For those enquiring, this evening’s game is live on TG4. John Lacey will take charge while Andy Brace and Olly Hodges run the lines and Dermot Moloney is in the TMO booth.
The RDS is filling up nicely and there’s a festive feel in the air with Christmas songs blasting over the PA as both sets of players go through their paces. It’s bitterly cold out there but otherwise a perfect evening for rugby.
Not long until kick-off now but to whet the appetite, here’s a selection of our pre-game offerings:
- ‘It happens every year, it’s just the reality but we want to retain the best players we have’
- Ian Madigan: I’m waiting on my agent to come back to me on what interest is out there
- Sean O’Brien wants to remain at Leinster but admits lure of ‘attractive’ offers from abroad
- The Leinster front row returned to training a day early to address their scrum capitulation
- World Cup hangover no excuse for Leinster’s European slump, says Luke Fitzgerald
- Ruddock: Leinster are down but they’re certainly not out, as Toulon’s defeat showed
- ‘A few lads are upset and probably angry’ – Leinster determined to right the wrongs
We’re ready to brave the elements and head out to our position in the Grandstand. There’s a crackling atmosphere inside the ground already as kick-off approaches. We’ve all the ingredients for a cracking game. We’re underway in 20 minutes.
In his programme notes, Leo Cullen spoke about the need to make this place a cauldron again after the disappointing outing against Wasps.
“We are working hard to ensure we have many more great days and nights to look forward to, and a raucous, noisy RDS will help us to get there,” he wrote. ”Let’s do it together.”
It’s a big night for Cullen.
And his counterpart, Les Kiss.
Here come the visitors, led by Ruan Pienaar on his 100th appearance for the province. Still plenty of empty seats around the ground as we approach kick-off.
Kick-off! Ulster get us underway, playing from left to right in this first period.
First scrum of the evening and Leinster win the penalty as Sexton brings play into the Ulster half for the first time.
Positive start from the hosts as they look to stamp their authority on the game. After several phases of attack, Leinster win the penalty as Wiehahn Herbst is penalised for being offside.
Penalty! Leinster 3-0 Ulster
Sexton takes his time but strikes his first effort cleanly and Leinster are rewarded for a purposeful start.
But Ulster are given an attacking platform straight from the kick-off. Sexton knocks it on and the visitors have a scrum inside the home side’s 22. Pienaar to feed.
Strong scrum and Pienaar spreads it left. Gilroy is stopped in his tracks and Ulster recycle possession. A couple of phases later, Leinster are penalised at the breakdown and Paddy Jackson has the chance to level the scores.
But he misses the straightforward kick! Let off for Leinster there as Jackson pushed his effort right of the posts.
Leinster are looking to spread the ball wide at every opportunity and Madigan throws a long pass out to Zane Kirchner on the right but Lacey deems it forward and we’re brought back for an Ulster scrum inside the Leinster half.
Some big hits being made in the early stages and since that Sexton penalty, Ulster have had most of the possession. Jackson now has another chance to bring his side level as Leinster are penalised again.
Penalty! Leinster 3-3 Ulster
No mistake from Jackson on this occasion as he sends his kick between the posts and Ulster are on the board.
Iain Henderson is bundled into touch on the far side. Interestingly, Sexton and Madigan have been interchanging in the first receiver role so far.
On this occasion, Madigan acts as the dummy as Sexton finds Fitzgerald with a cross-field kick. The winger comes in off his line to offload to Nacewa, who is eventually forced into touch. That was much better from Leinster.
Again Leinster attack down this near channel and Nacewa stabs a kick through for Fitzgerald. It just has too much on it and trickles out over the sideline.
Scrappy passage of play after Leinster worked their way out of trouble. McGrath’s box-kick is contested in the air by Gilroy and Fitzgerald but the latter knocks it on and Ulster have the put in. The home fans trying their best to lift their side but Ulster have enjoyed much of the territory in these opening 22 minutes.
Ironic cheers from the Grandstand as Lacey awards Leinster a scrum for a knock on. The home supporters feel the referee missed an infringement during the previous passage of play.
After a brief stoppage, McGrath feeds.
And the hosts win the penalty as Ulster collapse the scrum.
Groans as Sexton skews his penalty but he still finds touch, albeit having gained little ground. Tadhg Gurlong is currently winning the battle against Wiehahn Herbst.
Fitzgerald finds space and his kick through is perfectly weighted. Trimble comes across to cover and run it into touch. The crowd are on their feet for the first time.
We’re going to the TMO. Toner rises highest to claim Cronin’s line-out and Leinster recycle possession before moving infield. Ulster are stretched but they manage to hold it up and it’s a scrum five metres out.
Big push from Leinster and McGrath darts for the line but is stopped in his tracks metres short. Leinster recycle the ball and go through the phases, searching for an opening but Ulster are standing firm.
The ball eventually goes out to the backs and with Kirchner in acres of space on the right, Nacewa’s pass is awful and gives the winger no chance. Ulster line-out but the pressure is still on the visitors.
Ulster clear their lines but there’s concern for Luke McGrath as he falls to the ground. Leo Cullen watches on anxiously as his scrum-half receives treatment.
Apologies, it was McGrath who went down on the far side and he’s had to go off with Reddan his replacement.
Lovely chip and chase from Sexton gives Leinster some impetus but it peters out before the hosts win a scrum in midfield. Cullen’s side have got their hands on the ball much more in the last 15 minutes but part from Devin Toner being held up, they don’t really have much to show for it.
It remains 3-3 with seven minutes of this first period remaining.
Sexton has the opportunity to restore his side’s advantage after Leinster win the penalty at the set-piece. But he opts for touch instead of taking the kick at goal. There’s a bit of a breeze this evening but it’s not considerable so that was an interesting decision from Sexton and Heaslip.
And Ulster turn over possession at the line-out and Pienaar brings play back up towards halfway.
Leinster are knocking on the door though. Reddan makes a dash down the near touchline after nice hands from Sexton. Another penalty comes their way and they’re metres from the line.
TRY! Leinster 8-3 Ulster
Leinster’s pressure pays and it’s Sean Cronin who crosses the line after a powerful rolling maul. Sexton, however, snatches at the conversion and it goes well wide.
Another good platform for Ulster but Henderson knocks it on and Leinster are let off the hook. That should see us through to the break.
Half-time! And John Lacey decides that’s enough for the first-half. We’re off to warm-up, see you in 15….
We’re back underway at the RDS.
Fast start from Leinster as they look to catch Ulster cold, quite literally. Ruddock makes the initial break and after being stopped just short, the ball goes out wide. But with the line at his mercy, Ben Te’o can’t gather cleanly and Ulster are given a reprieve.
Early change for Ulster as Chris Henry is introduced for Sean Reidy.
Here’s our half-time report from the RDS.
Leinster are bossing proceedings here and look very threatening. Te’o and Kirchner are being afforded acres of space down the right and although there are just about enough white shirts on hand, Ulster find themselves holding on.
Furlong is held-up on the line and Leinster have a scrum five.
That was Furlong’s last involvement as he makes way for Marty Moore. Leinster are camped inside the Ulster 22.
Scrappy passage of play results in Ulster getting the opportunity to relieve the pressure through Peter Nelson. The visitors are riding a storm here but have yet to conceded in the second-half.
Frenetic pace to the game with possession changing hands at regular intervals. Second change for Ulster as Ricky Lutton replaces Herbst in the front-row.
Out of nowhere, an injection of pace into Ulster’s attack. Zirchner comes off his wing and Trimble is given space as he fends off the tackle of Te’o. Gilroy is on his shoulder but Leinster retreat back in numbers but ultimately give the penalty away.
The visitors kick for touch and both sets of supporters find their voice. Big moment in the game.
And Leinster win the penalty! Terrific defence from the hosts as they stand firm in the face of Ulster’s first real foray towards their line.
Leinster’s turn to probe and look for the opening. Sexton and Madigan combine but the move breaks down after another unforced error. Two changes in the front-row for Leinster as James Tracy and Peter Dooley replace Cronin and McGrath respectively.
And Ulster use the stoppage to make a change of their own with Roger Wilson coming in for Robbie Diack. Just 20 minutes remaining and it’s still 8-5.
It’s been a tight affair at the RDS.
Incredible passage of play. Sexton’s kick goes straight into the arms of Gilroy and after Ulster’s botched clearance, Madigan attempts an audacious drop-goal but only dribbles one along the ground.
It’s been a disjointed second-half so far – but Ulster are still very much in the contest.
Another encouraging couple of minutes for Ulster. With just 15 minutes remaining, the northern province know they need to force the issue here and they’re beginning to attack with more pace and purpose.
That said, another error, this time from Pienaar, hands possession back to Leinster.
Noel Reid is on for Sexton, who hobbles off, while Ross Molony replaces Mike McCarthy.
Reid is welcomed to the game with a huge hit but he’s come off badly and is in need of attention. Play continues, meanwhile, as Ulster go from side-to-side looking to breach the wall of blue shirts. So far, they’ve been unable to make much ground.
Leinster force the turn over but this doesn’t look good for young Reid. The medical staff are making their way on with the stretcher as he lies stricken on this near side. Garry Ringrose has the tracksuit top off and he’s ready to come on.
Just four minutes remaining and Leinster are looking to hold onto what they have by playing the territory game. The home fans have found their voice.
Here come Ulster though as they look to snatch something from this game.
Full-time! And that’s it, Leinster hold on and earn a narrow win.
That’s all from the RDS. Plenty of reaction to come but for now, thanks for joining us.
