A very warm welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Connacht’s URC clash with Leinster.
It’s the moment Connacht fans have been waiting for: the main stand opens tonight at Dexcom Stadium, and a new era begins in earnest for the westerners.
A huge night ahead, then, as Leinster seek a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions, and Connacht look to build upon positive displays in the Challenge Cup over the last fortnight.
Here’s Aoife and Michael Henry on their way to the game, and also a larger group of Connacht fans outside the revamped main stand.
Caolin Blade returns at scrum-half in a timely boost for Connacht after his five-week layoff.
Blade’s return following a five-week layoff is one of just three changes made by head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Out-half Josh Ioane is named outside Blade, while Dylan Tierney-Martin comes in at hooker in place of the injured Dave Heffernan.
Connacht have over 850 caps worth of experience to call upon from the bench with Bundee Aki, Jack Carty and Denis Buckley all named among the replacements.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Meanwhile, Niall Smyth is set to make his Leinster debut as Leo Cullen navigates a tricky period of injuries among his tightheads.
Smyth, who won a Leinster Schools Senior Cup with Blackrock in 2024, partners Jack Boyle and Gus McCarthy in the front row.
Harry Byrne starts at out-half once again, while captain Caelan Doris is set to win his 100th Leinster cap.
Connacht Rugby
15. Sam Gilbert
14. Shane Jennings
13. Harry West
12. Cathal Forde
11. Finn Treacy
10. Josh Ioane
9. Caolin Blade
1. Billy Bohan
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin
3. Sam Illo
4. Darragh Murray
5. Josh Murphy
6. Cian Prendergast (capt)
7. Paul Boyle
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Eoin de Buitléar
17. Denis Buckley
18. Jack Aungier
19. Joe Joyce
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Ben Murphy
22. Jack Carty
23. Bundee Aki
Leinster Rugby
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Joshua Kenny
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Charlie Tector
11. James Lowe
10. Harry Byrne
9. Fintan Gunne
1. Jack Boyle
2. Gus McCarthy
3. Niall Smyth
4. RG Snyman
5. James Ryan
6. Alex Soroka
7. Will Connors
8. Caelan Doris (capt)
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Jerry Cahir
18. Andrew Sparrow
19. Brian Deeny
20. Diarmuid Mangan
21. Scott Penny
22. Luke McGrath
23. Ruben Moloney
Just over five minutes to go until kick-off in Galway.
The last time the sides met, only last month, Leinster were runaway winners in the end — but Connacht were excellent in the first half of that game at the Aviva.
Imbued with home advantage and the sense of occasion in a new-look Dexcom Stadium, let’s see if this one is more competitive for 80.
Nick Elliott / INPHO
Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO
2 hrs ago
5:30PM
Fantastic performance on the pitch pre-game, with all 26 Connacht clubs represented.
Ballina man Caelan Doris leads Leinster onto the pitch to a fairly warm reception.
And now here come Connacht to some serious noise!
2 hrs ago
5:31PM
Dexcom Stadium is HOPPING. And it looks absolutely fantastic.
1′ – CON 0-0 LEIN: Harry Byrne gets us underway at The Sportsground!
Taken by Cathal Forde and Connacht exit through Caolin Blade.
A little bit of argy-bargy before the first lineout. Brilliant!
2 hrs ago
5:38PM
6′ – CON 0-0 LEIN: Billy Bohan wins a scrum pen on Leinster debutant Niall Smyth and Connacht get a lineout on the Leinster 22′, but Josh Murphy spills it forward at the front.
Leinster exit through Fintan Gunne, who booms it to touch on halfway.
Then a half-break by Gus McCarthy who snatches one from Blade’s hands — and Leinster eventually win a penalty deep in Connacht territory as they impede Leinster at lineout time.
The scrum-half crashes over after a sharp Leinster start in attack.
Byrne converts for 7-0, and there’s a further double blow for Connacht: Cathal Forde and Sam Illo are gone off, replaced by Bundee Aki Jack Aungier respectively.
Not sure if either of those were HIAS — will try to keep you posted.
Ferocious Leinster defence, phase after phase, but Tierney-Martin burrows over with a brilliant close-range finish.
That’s a serious reaction by the hosts, and Sam Gilbert chips over the afters. He’s well over 90% from the tee since arriving at Connacht — I think he’s missed only one kick?!
Seven each in Galway!
2 hrs ago
5:51PM
15′ – CON 7-7 LEIN: First chorus of ‘The Fields’ as Eoghan Cross sets up a scrum after some brilliant Connacht defence forced a Leinster error on midfield.
And in the game’s second scrum, Connacht win their second scrum penalty. This time it’s Sam Illo on Jack Boyle.
Connacht lineout outside the Leinster 22′.
2 hrs ago
5:53PM
16′ – CON 7-7 LEIN: Alex Soroka gets hands on Connacht ball in a ruck just outside the Leinster 22′ and referee Cross pings Connacht for side entry.
Leinster lineout just inside the Connacht half — but Doris knocks it on on halfway.
2 hrs ago
5:57PM
20′ – CON 7-7 LEIN:Play stopped with Jack Boyle down, appearing to hold his calf.
Andy Farrell will be holding his breath here — but Ireland’s loosehead injury crisis looks set to deepen.
Stretcher coming on. Ah, Jeayyysus.
Poor Boyle! That’s a massive blow to Ireland ahead of the Six Nations.
26′ – CON 10-7 LEIN: Leinster attempting to play with tempo but another attack in the Connacht half breaks down as Gunne tries to feed the intended decoy in Doris but passes it forward.
Leinster win a scrum pen, though, as Illo is pinged for not driving straight.
Harry Byrne does what Gilbert did seconds earlier and pops over the easy three points.
1 hr ago
6:08PM
29′ – CON 10-10 LEIN: A madcap passage of play leads to a Gunne chip through, which dribbles into touch deep inside the Connacht 22′.
Connacht lose their second straight lineout — and Leinster are knocking on the door!
32′ – CON 10-13 LEIN: Shane Jennings wins the restart — he’s been excellent in the air once again — and Connacht wind up earning a penalty outside the Leinster 22′ as Will Connors impedes Blade on the floor at the base of a ruck.
Connacht will take a shot at goal, this one from left of centre.
And Sam Gilbert does what Sam Gilbert does: we’re level once more!
1 hr ago
6:16PM
36′ – CON 13-13 LEIN: Cian Prendergast catches Snyman with a seatbelt tackle just inside the Connacht 10′. Advantage comes to nothing and Leinster go to touch — lineout just inside the home 22′.
1 hr ago
6:17PM
37′ – CON 13-13 LEIN: Sean Jansen melts Gus McCarthy off the Leinster lineout and forces the knock-on. Dexcom Stadium goes nuts! What a hit.
It was borderline high but the TMO has checked it in the background and can’t find any head contact.
Terrifically enjoyable half if far from free-flowing!
Vicious, pulsating stuff.
Ireland will be sweating after Jack Boyle was stretchered off for the visitors.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Connacht on top in the scrum, where they lead 3-1 on penalties.
But where it matters, it’s 13-13 following first-half tries by Fintan Gunne and Dylan Tierney-Martin, with the rest of the points coming from the respective boots of Harry Byrne and Sam Gilbert.
The outstanding Sean Jansen and Finn Treacy combine and West collects the offload on the inside to score, pretty much under the sticks.
Handbags afterwards and officials getting involved but the try will be good!
Gilbert converts and Connacht lead!
1 hr ago
6:49PM
51′ – CON 20-13 LEIN: Sublime line-break by Fintan Gunne and he finds Snyman in support!
The huge lock takes it close but Cian Prendergast wins the jackal penalty on the scramble and The Sportsground erupts again. What a piece of attack and defence by each side.
This is cracker.
1 hr ago
6:52PM
54′ – CON 20-13 LEIN: Leinster have a penalty advantage inside the Connacht half — and now a penalty as Sam Gilbert and co. stop James Lowe and Ciarán Frawley down Leinster’s left.
There’ll be a Leinster lineout deep in Connacht territory shortly, but Rónan Kelleher is just getting a bit of treatment. He looks alright.
1 hr ago
6:55PM
56′ – CON 20-13 LEIN: Connacht defend their line!
Sean Jansen — man of the match by a wide margin to this point — wallops Scott Penny in contact and forces another knock-on.
Connacht will get the scrum on their own 5′.
The Fields of Athenry reverberates around Dexcom once again.
1 hr ago
6:55PM
57′ – CON 20-13 LEIN: Leinster win the scrum penalty on the Connacht 5′!
66′ – CON 20-27 LEIN: Another Connacht pen just outside the 22′ — Tector not rolling away — and Connacht take the three points.
Gilbert brings the gap down to four as the rain begins to descend from the heavens over Galway again.
54 mins ago
7:09PM
69′ – CON 23-27 LEIN: Nice grubber down the left by James Lowe and Leinster get a five-metre scrum after an error in judgement by Finn Treacy! The Connacht wing clips the ball with his instep ahead of the try-line and then dots it down.
70′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! Ciarán Frawley against his future employers!
That should do it!
Leinster win a penalty advantage and eventually cross in the left-hand corner through the Connacht-bound Frawley, who just about gathers Harry Byrne’s delayed pass to score.
Byrne converts from the left-hand touchline and Leinster lead by 11 with just under 10 minutes to go.
That’s also the bonus point secured by Leinster.
50 mins ago
7:13PM
72′ – CON 23-34 LEIN: Luke McGrath pins Connacht back with a beautiful box-kick over the top which rolls into touch near the Connacht 5′.
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Connacht 23-34 Leinster, URC
A very warm welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Connacht’s URC clash with Leinster.
It’s the moment Connacht fans have been waiting for: the main stand opens tonight at Dexcom Stadium, and a new era begins in earnest for the westerners.
A huge night ahead, then, as Leinster seek a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions, and Connacht look to build upon positive displays in the Challenge Cup over the last fortnight.
Here’s Aoife and Michael Henry on their way to the game, and also a larger group of Connacht fans outside the revamped main stand.
Looking forward to this one!
Who wins this evening?
Poll Results:
Caolin Blade returns at scrum-half in a timely boost for Connacht after his five-week layoff.
Blade’s return following a five-week layoff is one of just three changes made by head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Out-half Josh Ioane is named outside Blade, while Dylan Tierney-Martin comes in at hooker in place of the injured Dave Heffernan.
Connacht have over 850 caps worth of experience to call upon from the bench with Bundee Aki, Jack Carty and Denis Buckley all named among the replacements.
Meanwhile, Niall Smyth is set to make his Leinster debut as Leo Cullen navigates a tricky period of injuries among his tightheads.
Smyth, who won a Leinster Schools Senior Cup with Blackrock in 2024, partners Jack Boyle and Gus McCarthy in the front row.
Harry Byrne starts at out-half once again, while captain Caelan Doris is set to win his 100th Leinster cap.
Connacht Rugby
15. Sam Gilbert
14. Shane Jennings
13. Harry West
12. Cathal Forde
11. Finn Treacy
10. Josh Ioane
9. Caolin Blade
1. Billy Bohan
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin
3. Sam Illo
4. Darragh Murray
5. Josh Murphy
6. Cian Prendergast (capt)
7. Paul Boyle
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Eoin de Buitléar
17. Denis Buckley
18. Jack Aungier
19. Joe Joyce
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Ben Murphy
22. Jack Carty
23. Bundee Aki
Leinster Rugby
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Joshua Kenny
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Charlie Tector
11. James Lowe
10. Harry Byrne
9. Fintan Gunne
1. Jack Boyle
2. Gus McCarthy
3. Niall Smyth
4. RG Snyman
5. James Ryan
6. Alex Soroka
7. Will Connors
8. Caelan Doris (capt)
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Jerry Cahir
18. Andrew Sparrow
19. Brian Deeny
20. Diarmuid Mangan
21. Scott Penny
22. Luke McGrath
23. Ruben Moloney
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Just over five minutes to go until kick-off in Galway.
The last time the sides met, only last month, Leinster were runaway winners in the end — but Connacht were excellent in the first half of that game at the Aviva.
Imbued with home advantage and the sense of occasion in a new-look Dexcom Stadium, let’s see if this one is more competitive for 80.
Fantastic performance on the pitch pre-game, with all 26 Connacht clubs represented.
Ballina man Caelan Doris leads Leinster onto the pitch to a fairly warm reception.
And now here come Connacht to some serious noise!
Dexcom Stadium is HOPPING. And it looks absolutely fantastic.
Here we go!
1′ – CON 0-0 LEIN: Harry Byrne gets us underway at The Sportsground!
Taken by Cathal Forde and Connacht exit through Caolin Blade.
A little bit of argy-bargy before the first lineout. Brilliant!
6′ – CON 0-0 LEIN: Billy Bohan wins a scrum pen on Leinster debutant Niall Smyth and Connacht get a lineout on the Leinster 22′, but Josh Murphy spills it forward at the front.
Leinster exit through Fintan Gunne, who booms it to touch on halfway.
Then a half-break by Gus McCarthy who snatches one from Blade’s hands — and Leinster eventually win a penalty deep in Connacht territory as they impede Leinster at lineout time.
8′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! Fintan Gunne!
The scrum-half crashes over after a sharp Leinster start in attack.
Byrne converts for 7-0, and there’s a further double blow for Connacht: Cathal Forde and Sam Illo are gone off, replaced by Bundee Aki Jack Aungier respectively.
Not sure if either of those were HIAS — will try to keep you posted.
11′ – TRY FOR CONNACHT! Dylan Tierney-Martin!
Connacht respond immediately!
Ferocious Leinster defence, phase after phase, but Tierney-Martin burrows over with a brilliant close-range finish.
That’s a serious reaction by the hosts, and Sam Gilbert chips over the afters. He’s well over 90% from the tee since arriving at Connacht — I think he’s missed only one kick?!
Seven each in Galway!
15′ – CON 7-7 LEIN: First chorus of ‘The Fields’ as Eoghan Cross sets up a scrum after some brilliant Connacht defence forced a Leinster error on midfield.
And in the game’s second scrum, Connacht win their second scrum penalty. This time it’s Sam Illo on Jack Boyle.
Connacht lineout outside the Leinster 22′.
16′ – CON 7-7 LEIN: Alex Soroka gets hands on Connacht ball in a ruck just outside the Leinster 22′ and referee Cross pings Connacht for side entry.
Leinster lineout just inside the Connacht half — but Doris knocks it on on halfway.
20′ – CON 7-7 LEIN:Play stopped with Jack Boyle down, appearing to hold his calf.
Andy Farrell will be holding his breath here — but Ireland’s loosehead injury crisis looks set to deepen.
Stretcher coming on. Ah, Jeayyysus.
Poor Boyle! That’s a massive blow to Ireland ahead of the Six Nations.
23′ – CON 7-7 LEIN: Boyle is replaced by Jerry Cahir. And Billy Bohan immediately wins another penalty on Smyth.
Meanwhile, Sam Illo and Cathal Forde are both back on the field having passed their HIAs. Connacht back to their starting side.
The hosts then win a further penalty as Lowe infringes in a ruck.
Gilbert chips over three points from close range and Connacht lead for the first time!
26′ – CON 10-7 LEIN: Leinster attempting to play with tempo but another attack in the Connacht half breaks down as Gunne tries to feed the intended decoy in Doris but passes it forward.
Leinster win a scrum pen, though, as Illo is pinged for not driving straight.
Harry Byrne does what Gilbert did seconds earlier and pops over the easy three points.
29′ – CON 10-10 LEIN: A madcap passage of play leads to a Gunne chip through, which dribbles into touch deep inside the Connacht 22′.
Connacht lose their second straight lineout — and Leinster are knocking on the door!
Penalty advantage to the visitors also.
31′ – CON 10-10 LEIN: Connacht scramble well but concede two penalties in the process.
Leinster will take three points once more from close range — surprising considering Connacht are on an official warning now.
32′ – CON 10-13 LEIN: Shane Jennings wins the restart — he’s been excellent in the air once again — and Connacht wind up earning a penalty outside the Leinster 22′ as Will Connors impedes Blade on the floor at the base of a ruck.
Connacht will take a shot at goal, this one from left of centre.
And Sam Gilbert does what Sam Gilbert does: we’re level once more!
36′ – CON 13-13 LEIN: Cian Prendergast catches Snyman with a seatbelt tackle just inside the Connacht 10′. Advantage comes to nothing and Leinster go to touch — lineout just inside the home 22′.
37′ – CON 13-13 LEIN: Sean Jansen melts Gus McCarthy off the Leinster lineout and forces the knock-on. Dexcom Stadium goes nuts! What a hit.
It was borderline high but the TMO has checked it in the background and can’t find any head contact.
Connacht scrum inside their own 22′.
Terrifically enjoyable half if far from free-flowing!
Vicious, pulsating stuff.
Ireland will be sweating after Jack Boyle was stretchered off for the visitors.
Connacht on top in the scrum, where they lead 3-1 on penalties.
But where it matters, it’s 13-13 following first-half tries by Fintan Gunne and Dylan Tierney-Martin, with the rest of the points coming from the respective boots of Harry Byrne and Sam Gilbert.
Catch you shortly!
41′ – CON 13-13 LEIN: Back underway at Dexcom!
A big 40 minutes ahead on what’s been a superb occasion so far.
45′ – CON 13-13 LEIN: A really open, loose start to the second half!
Connacht have a scrum well inside the Leinster half after Ciarán Frawley knocked on during an attempted rip.
The hosts almost got around the Leinster blitz there — but still savage defence by the eastern province!
Alex Soroka, meanwhile, looks like he’s going off for a HIA.
47′ – CON 13-13 LEIN: Superb carry by Cathal Forde and he makes serious yardage deep into the Leinster 22′!
Connacht go very close and Leinster concede the pen.
Advantage comes to nothing, so Connacht go again with the tap.
Paul Boyle reaches for the line but Leinster hold him up! Unreal defence by debutant Niall Smyth who had a tough first half!
48′ – TRY FOR CONNACHT! Harry West!
What a score! Magic, magic, magic Connacht!
The outstanding Sean Jansen and Finn Treacy combine and West collects the offload on the inside to score, pretty much under the sticks.
Handbags afterwards and officials getting involved but the try will be good!
Gilbert converts and Connacht lead!
51′ – CON 20-13 LEIN: Sublime line-break by Fintan Gunne and he finds Snyman in support!
The huge lock takes it close but Cian Prendergast wins the jackal penalty on the scramble and The Sportsground erupts again. What a piece of attack and defence by each side.
This is cracker.
54′ – CON 20-13 LEIN: Leinster have a penalty advantage inside the Connacht half — and now a penalty as Sam Gilbert and co. stop James Lowe and Ciarán Frawley down Leinster’s left.
There’ll be a Leinster lineout deep in Connacht territory shortly, but Rónan Kelleher is just getting a bit of treatment. He looks alright.
56′ – CON 20-13 LEIN: Connacht defend their line!
Sean Jansen — man of the match by a wide margin to this point — wallops Scott Penny in contact and forces another knock-on.
Connacht will get the scrum on their own 5′.
The Fields of Athenry reverberates around Dexcom once again.
57′ – CON 20-13 LEIN: Leinster win the scrum penalty on the Connacht 5′!
57′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! RG Snyman!
The visitors tap and go and after a first effort by Charlie Tector, RG Snyman breaches the whitewash and dots down!
Harry Byrne brings us level again.
What a final quarter we have in store.
59′ – CON 20-20 LEIN: Leinster’s tempo is starting to give Connacht big problems.
60′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! Charlie Tector!
That’s inexcusable defence by Connacht, to be honest.
Off first phase, Tector runs through Tierney-Martin and Aungier and goes right under the sticks from just outside the Connacht 22′.
Leinster have turned this game on its head: they lead 27-20!
64′ – CON 20-27 LEIN: Connacht win a scrum pen near halfway. Jack Carty gives them a lineout up towards the Leinster 22′.
66′ – CON 20-27 LEIN: Another Connacht pen just outside the 22′ — Tector not rolling away — and Connacht take the three points.
Gilbert brings the gap down to four as the rain begins to descend from the heavens over Galway again.
69′ – CON 23-27 LEIN: Nice grubber down the left by James Lowe and Leinster get a five-metre scrum after an error in judgement by Finn Treacy! The Connacht wing clips the ball with his instep ahead of the try-line and then dots it down.
Leinster can kill it here.
70′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! Ciarán Frawley against his future employers!
That should do it!
Leinster win a penalty advantage and eventually cross in the left-hand corner through the Connacht-bound Frawley, who just about gathers Harry Byrne’s delayed pass to score.
Byrne converts from the left-hand touchline and Leinster lead by 11 with just under 10 minutes to go.
That’s also the bonus point secured by Leinster.
72′ – CON 23-34 LEIN: Luke McGrath pins Connacht back with a beautiful box-kick over the top which rolls into touch near the Connacht 5′.
Leinster have turned the screw here.
That’ll do it: a special occasion for Connacht but they just about ran out of gas and, unfortunately for them, leave with nothing.
Leinster take maximum points after another second-half surge against the Westerners, but that was a super game.
Thanks for joining us. Keep an eye on The 42 for Murray Kinsella’s report and reaction.
Take care!
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