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Ulster 10 Leinster 28
Leinster’s victory emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, both collectively and individually, as they racked up a 23rd consecutive victory dating back to the end of last season. They made it on foot of 15 changes to the starting team since Munster’s win, thus guaranteeing a boost heading into the Pro14 semi-final next Friday night at Aviva Stadium.
One of those who seized the opportunity was Leinster center and man of the match, Ciarán Frawley, who adapted impressively inside center, a role he has honed in practice. He coped well on the win line with the physically imposing Stuart McCloskey as he demonstrated his soccer and distribution skills, most notably on the grubber kick he mustered in preparation for Ed Byrne’s try.
He explained, “I’ve been training a lot at 12 during our preseason, building that cohesion with the players around me like Ross (Byrne) and Harry (Byrne); I also did a bit with Sexto (Johnny Sexton). It’s nice to have that telepathy with them and not just attempt game week. It’s really nice right now.
“It’s different with every 10 you play with. That cohesion is important, sometimes the 10s are flat, sometimes the 10s are deep and you have to judge your depth from them. It’s been great to get that understanding of the 10 in the preseason. You have a lot more time, but it’s definitely more physically demanding. “
Ed Byrne, captain of Leinster for the first time, celebrated with an attempt to cap off a good performance, while Will Connors, Ross Molony, Josh Murphy and Max Deegan garnered attention for a variety of reasons. Jamison Gibson-Park was a living presence as Ross Byrne controlled a game plan that was straightforward in orientation for the most part, with typical assurance.
A key difference between the teams was Leinster’s superior protection from the ball in contact, something his opponents regularly struggled with, and a weakness that ultimately proved decisive in terms of results.
John Cooney scores a try that was later scored for offside. Photograph: Billy Stickland / Inpho
Adornments to a home game for Ulster included a brief burst of their anthem, ‘Stand Up for the Ulstermen’, as they took to the field, but in an empty stadium the players had to take on the challenge exclusively. There was integrity in the way the team ultimately committed to the task, but precision and fluidity were intermittent and undermined by mistakes and turnovers.
When Ulster achieved some continuity, particularly after the interval, there was a powerhouse in his attack form, with the excellent Jacob Stockdale as the catalyst – he took a couple of blows to the shin, but should be fine for next weekend’s semi-final. against Edinburgh. – supplemented with direct transport, while they also found some edge space.
However, spilling the ball on contact and Leinster’s penchant for winning key turnovers in the breakout ruined his opponents’ best intentions. They returned to the competition trailing 16-0 on Rob Herring’s well-crafted try from a maul at the lineout, which John Cooney converted while adding a penalty to close the gap to six points.
Later, trailing 21-10, Ulster appeared to have reentered the competition once more when John Cooney intercepted a pass from Rowan Osborne and ran 65 meters for a try; he was dismissed for offside due to the intervention of the game’s television official.
Ulster head coach Dan McFarland felt the attempt should have stuck. “I haven’t talked to a single person who thought he was off the game. I don’t understand how that was offside. I have looked at all the angles; It’s in the back of the ruck. “
Leinster made the most of his clemency by closing the match with a third try, this time from Harry Byrne’s replacement, who had replaced his older brother, Ross. The younger brother enjoyed an impressive 18-minute cameo, his vision and perfectly weighted diagonal kick were the precursor to Scott Penny’s try in the 73rd minute.
However, McFarland was reasonably satisfied with the efforts of his team. “There is a buzz and a spark in the way we play; an intensity. We were much more like the Ulster team that put us in this position, which is the movement of the ball, running hard, finding the edges. We looked like that team against a really good defensive team.
“That pleased me. We just have to get down to business and focus on understanding that simple mistakes really kill your ability to keep the pressure on an opponent. ”He confirmed that Luke Marshall (hip) will not be back in time for next Saturday’s trip to Edinburgh.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was pleased with his team’s commitment and the way they grafted in to ensure victory. He smiled when asked about Dan Leavy and James Ryan, who participated in the warm-up.
Ulster’s Rob Herring wearing a mask after his team’s loss to Leinster. Photograph: James Crombie / Inpho
“For Dan, it’s been a while since he ran down Aviva’s field against Ulster; It was in the quarterfinals (of the Champions Cup) where he got injured, so it was great to see him warm up for the day. So those guys have come a long way, so they’re not a million miles away. We’ll see how they do in the next few days.
“It means a lot to the players, everyone wants to participate in these great games that are coming; so overall, it’s probably the most enjoyable part of the last two weeks. “
Scoring sequence 2 minutes: E Byrne try, R Byrne conversion, 0-7; 14: Penalty by R Byrne, 0-10; 20: Penalty by R Byrne, 0-13. Half time: 13-0. 43: Penalty by R Byrne, 0-16; 53: herring attempt, Cooney conversion, 7-16; 68: Cooney penalty, 10-16; 73: Penny try, 10-21; 78: H Byrne try, H Byrne conversion, 10-28.
Ulster: J Stockdale; M Faddes, J Hume, S McCloskey, R Lyttle; I Madigan, J Cooney; E O’Sullivan, R Herring, T O’Toole; S Carter (captain), K Treadwell; M Rea, J Murphy, M Coetzee. Replacements: M Moore for O’Toole 55 minutes; L Ludik to Stockdale 55 minutes; D O’Connor for Treadwell 55 minutes; J Andrew for Herring 62 minutes; N Timoney for Murphy 62 minutes; B Johnston for Madigan 62 minutes; K McCall for O’Sullivan 63 minutes; D Shanahan by McCloskey 76 minutes.
Leinster: R Kearney; H Keenan, R O’Loughlin, C Frawley, C Kelleher; R Byrne, J Gibson-Park; E Byrne (capt), S Cronin, M Bent; D Toner, R Molony; J Murphy, W Connors, M Deegan. Replacements: J Tracy for Cronin 51 minutes; R Ruddock by J Murphy 55 minutes; T Clarkson for Bent 57 minutes; H Byrne for R Byrne 62 minutes; M Milne by E Byrne 62 minutes; S Penny for Connors 70 minutes; R Osborne to Gibson-Park 70 minutes; J O’Brien by Frawley 74 minutes.
Referee: G Clancy (Munster)
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