Hello and welcome along as Leinster look to defend their URC crown against the Bulls this evening at Croke Park.

Leinster are no strangers to GAA headquarters, and it was at this venue that Leo Cullen’s side defeated the Bulls in last year’s URC final. The sides will do it all over again tonight.

This is also the grand farewell for Leinster stalwart James Lowe who is leaving to link up with Japanese side Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.

We’ll have team news for you shortly and as always, we want to hear from you about your thoughts on tonight’s game.

Leinster

• 15. Hugo Keenan 
• 14. Tommy O’Brien
• 13. Rieko Ioane
• 12. Jamie Osborne
• 11. James Lowe
• 10. Sam Prendergast
• 9. Jamison Gibson-Park  

• 1. Jerry Cahir
• 2. Rónan Kelleher
• 3. Tadhg Furlong
• 4. Joe McCarthy
• 5. James Ryan
• 6. Max Deegan
• 7. Josh van der Flier
• 8. Caelan Doris (capt)

Replacements:

• 16. Dan Sheehan
• 17. Alex Usanov
• 18. Thomas Clarkson
• 19. Diarmuid Mangan
• 20. Jack Conan
• 21. Luke McGrath
• 22. Harry Byrne
• 23. Garry Ringrose

Bulls

• 15. Willie le Roux
• 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse
• 13. Canan Moodie
• 12. Harold Vorster
• 11. Stravino Jacobs
• 10. Handre Pollard
• 9. Embrose Papier

Replacements: 

• 16. Marco van Staden
• 17. Jan‑Hendrik Wessels
• 18. Wilco Louw
• 19. Cobus Wiese
• 20. Jeandre Rudolph
• 21. Zak Burger
• 22. Stedman Gans
• 23. Nizaam Carr

Get cramming before the 7.30pm kick-off with our usual hit of pre-match reading

• Leinster and the Bulls have plenty of history when it comes to knock-out rugby
• ‘Andrew’s a loss but whoever has played has done admirably’
• Leinster used down week to dig into Champions Cup final loss
• Leinster legend Nacewa: ‘I would have loved to play under Jacques’
• Bulls out to settle scrum score with Leinster in Croker repeat
• Tommy O’Brien has delivered a stand-out season after years of injury pain
• ‘Jacques has been immense for us as a group and the players love working with him’
• ‘It’s the nature of the business that we are in. The business gets done, and you move on’

Kick-off is not far away. Call your winner here

Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO

The teams are heading out now. Almost time to get going in Croker.

Kick-Off! Leinster v Bulls

1 min: Leinster 0-0 Bulls

Embrose Papier with the first box kick as Leinster collect and get their first attack up and running. Caelan Doris gets his first carry and the ball ends up out over the touchline but there’s a possibility of an intentional knock-on.

1 min: Leinster 0-0 Bulls

Yellow card for Canan Moodie who is penalised after the review.

Sam Prendergast takes Leinster to the corner.

2 mins: Leinster 0-0 Bulls

Good lineout for Leinster as Max Deegan brings them to within inches of the try line.

4 mins: Leinster 0-0 Bulls

Leinster get pushed back but still have the ball until Rónan Kelleher goes to ground and gets wrapped up. Bulls get the penalty and that’s disappointing for the champions.

4 mins: Leinster 0-0 Bulls

Worrying scenes as Doris is down receiving treatment. His left boot is off, and he’s walking gingerly.

5 mins: Leinster 0-0 Bulls

Doris is carrying on and appears to be ok as Bulls go to the air, and it works out for them.

TRY! Leinster 7-0 Bulls (Tommy O’Brien ’5)

8 mins: Leinster 7-0 Bulls

Well just as we thought Bulls were building an attack, the holders pounce.

A poor pass goes to ground and the always lively O’Brien puts his boot to it along the ground, and it’s open road all the way to the posts.

Prendergast converts.

9 mins: Leinster 7-0 Bulls

Now it’s the Bulls turn to attack after Rieko Ioane gives away a poor penalty, and they go to the corner.

10 mins: Leinster 7-0 Bulls

Leinster penalty! Brilliant turnover for O’Brien to get in over the ball on the ground.

Leinster change: Bad news as Doris is forced off with that injury from earlier and is replaced by Jack Conan.

11 mins: Leinster 7-0 Bulls

O’Brien with another mighty break along the wing. The ball is eventually worked across to Kelleher but he knocks it on and the Bulls will have possession again for the first scrum of the game.

14 mins: Leinster 7-0 Bulls

Reset called for the scrum and Bulls get it away at the second time of asking. Papier goes to the skies again, but Leinster get it back as Lowe gets the crowd humming with a thumping kick to find touch.

Moodie is back on after serving his time in the sin bin.

TRY! Leinster 12-0 Bulls (Rieko Ioane ’16)

18 mins: Leinster 12-0 Bulls

That’s try number two, and it comes from the wheels of Hugo Keenan who cuts the Bulls apart with his speed. He feeds Ioane on the wing who initially has to check his run but he bursts through and slides over the line.

Prendergast misses the conversion.

Leinster are almost in again as Lowe gets forced out of play.

20 mins: Leinster 12-0 Bulls

Massive moment from Prendergast who wins a race for possession ahead of Stravino Jacobs who was on his way in for a try. But the Leinster out-half gets down bravely to secure the ball.

That will be a huge boost to his confidence after enduring so much criticism over his defensive abilities. 

20 mins: Leinster 12-0 Bulls

Leinster claim a Bulls lineout but Prendergast’s kick is not great and the Bulls have it again.

Tommy O'Brien goes over for the opening try of the URC Grand Final! 🔵

The @leinsterrugby man races through after a misplaced pass from the Vodacom Bulls 👏 pic.twitter.com/bBOyGjO6Qp

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 19, 2026

🔵 @leinsterrugby have their second try of the game through Rieko Ioane!

The All Black scores after fantastic work from Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GDEmJtS9HQ

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 19, 2026

22 mins: Leinster 12-0 Bulls

Willie le Roux carries the ball back over his own try line after Jamison Gibson-Park kicks a loose ball into the Bulls territory.

Leinster win a scrum and could be in again.

23 mins: Leinster 12-0 Bulls

Both Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are denied before Kelleher tries to leap over but the referee says he was held up.

24 mins: Leinster 12-0 Bulls

Keenan gets up to claim a Gibson Park box kick. Super stuff from the full-back and Leinster are setting up another attack deep inside Bulls territory.

24 mins: Leinster 12-0 Bulls

The TMO is called to review an intentional knock-on, and Bulls could be down to 14 again.

25 mins: Leinster 12-0 Bulls

Willie le Roux gets sent to the bin, and it’s a pretty blatant knock-on as Keenan was trying to spray the ball out wide.

A second yellow card of the half for Bulls.

25 mins: Leinster 12-0 Bulls

Kelleher and Van der Flier get pushed back. McCarthy can’t find the gap either.

TRY! Leinster 19-0 Bulls (Jack Conan ’26)

29 mins: Leinster 19-0 Bulls

Jack Conan makes the final push to touch the ball down and Leinster are cruising now. Prendergast adds the conversion and follows it up with a 50:22.

29 mins: Leinster 19-0 Bulls

Leinster win a penalty from a Bulls scrum and another penalty follows for not releasing. Prendergast is calling for the tee as it’s right in front of the posts.

32 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Prendergast penalty!

A simple kick to push Leinster further in front.

33 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Bulls just can’t get a break as they get penalised in the lineout for not keeping the ball straight.

35 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Jamie Osborne knocks the ball on while trying to flick the ball on after receiving a pass from Prendergast.

36 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Bulls attacking well and have the advantage. The referee eventually pulls the ball back for that penalty as Willie Le Roux comes back onto the field.

They’re going to the corner and they could do with something just before half-time.

36 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

It’s a clean lineout and they will try to find a way through.

37 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Moodie commits the knock-on while under pressure from Osborne. It’s another setback for the challengers.

Meanwhile, Tadhg Furlong is getting some treatment for a shoulder issue.

37 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

A Leinster scrum ends with Prendergast kicking to touch to push the Bulls back.

38 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Gibson Park pops it up for O’Brien, and although he doesn’t get it, the Bulls knock it on so Leinster will get the ball back anyway.

39 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

O’Brien looks to be struggling a bit after coming down from that aerial challenge. It looks like it could be his knee as he receives some medical attention.

He wants to stay on and finish the half with just a few seconds to go.

41 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Bulls penalty at around the halfway line. 

Leinster change: O’Brien is replaced by Garry Ringrose.

Half-Time! Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Handre Pollard kicks it out of play and that really sums it up for Bulls after that first half. They really needed a score to give them some hope heading into the break, but they just aren’t threatening.

Jacobs was almost in at one stage, but Prendergast was alive to the danger and that is the best chance they’ve had so far.

It’s been all Leinster otherwise with tries coming from Tommy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane and Jack Conan. The only real drawbacks for the holders is the loss of Doris and O’Brien to injury.

Second Half: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

The action is underway again in Croke Park.

42 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Bulls knock the ball forward and after some promising play. Prendergast gets a good tackle in too.

42 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Another Leinster injury as Keenan requires a look. He’s ok to continue though.

43 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls

Lovely grubber kick from Gibson Park. Bulls win the lineout as McCarthy gets a fingertip on a box kick from Papier.

46 mins: Leinster 22-0 Bulls 

It looks like Prendergast has a try for Leinster. Some lovely passing there and a great take in the air by Ringrose.

The TMO will decide.

TRY! Leinster 29-0 Bulls (Sam Prendergast ’46)

50 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

Some gorgeous rugby there as Prendergast provides the final touch. The TMO was required to check it over but the grounding is good and Leinster are easing themselves into the winner’s circle.

Leinster changes: Thomas Clarkson, Dan Sheehan and Alex Usanov are in for Kelleher, Furlong and Jerry Cahir.

53 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

Bulls could have a chance here from the corner. The lineout is good they have the penalty advantage.

53 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

The TMO is looking at a potential Leinster knock-on by Sheehan.

53 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

The decision is that it’s a deliberate knock-on, but Sheehan has avoided a card. Scrum to Bulls.

53 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

Super run from Marcell Coetzee, and it looked like they were in there but the referee says he was held up.

We’re going to the TMO.

56 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

HELD UP!

Another blow for Bulls, although the footage seemed to favour them. The TMO obviously felt differently and Bulls are still without any points.

58 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

Lowe could be in trouble for a deliberate knock-on. The replays don’t look good for him.

58 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

James Lowe yellow card.

That’s a pity, but there’s no argument about that one. 

60 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

Brilliant work from Van der Flier and McCarthy to turn the ball over on the ground.

61 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

Penalty against Van der Flier and the Bulls are back in the Leinster corner again.

61 mins: Leinster 29-0 Bulls

A bit of a needle develops as Conan tries to get some clarity on the lineout from the referee. The Bulls get on with it and keep possession. The maul gets held up but they still have the ball.

TRY! Leinster 29-7 Bulls (Canan Moodie ’63)

65 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

Finally, some points for the Bulls as Moodie powers his way over and Pollard adds the extras. 

Do they have enough time to cause an upset?

65 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

Good work from Ringrose as Gibson Park finds Sheehan out wide but he gets turned over. Van der Flier then gets an important tackle.

67 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

Ruan Nortje celebrates a try, but the referee wants to check it.

67 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

This looks like it could be ruled out for a forward pass.

68 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

NO TRY!

Moodie’s pass is forward and that could be a pivotal moment in this game.

Leinster change: Harry Byrne replaces Prendergast.

70 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

Deegan gets his hand on the ball and releases to Gibson Park who releases a brilliant kick that pushes the Bulls right back into the corner.

Leinster change: McCarthy makes way for Diarmuid Mangan.

72 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

Willie le Roux reads the ball well to make a good fetch. But it’s not long before Leinster come at them again and Deegan makes another brilliant play to bring them right into the five-metre line.

73 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

Leinster change: Luke McGrath comes in for his final Leinster appearance, replacing Gibson Park.

73 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

Coming back for Leinster advantage. The lineout is clean and they’re into the maul.

75 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

Conan gets pushed back slightly, but Leinster keep coming. Osborne and Lowe both get involved. Leinster are still looking for a gap.

76 mins: Leinster 29-7 Bulls

They’re still going through the phases. Bulls are defending quite well but you get the feeling that one more Leinster try is on the way.

TRY! Leinster 36-7 Bulls (Harry Byrne ’76)

79 mins: Leinster 36-7 Bulls

Sam Prendergast wins the Man of the Match award.

79 mins: Leinster 36-7 Bulls

Ringrose in with a try-saving tackle on Moodie. His teammates rush in to congratulate him.

Full-Time! Leinster 36-7 Bulls

Leinster 36-7 Bulls

Well that’s that!

That result was determined from pretty early on with tries from O’Brien, Ioane and Conan. Prendergast and Byrne completed the mission in the second half as Leinster go back-to-back in the URC.

Leinster 36-7 Bulls

That’s all from us, folks.

We hope you enjoyed the coverage this evening. Before you go, have a read of Murray Kinsella’s match report live from Croke Park here.

And there will be more post-match coverage to follow later.

Until next time, good luck!