Leinster v Ulster Ulster Rugby Live

It has been 12 long years since Ulster beat Leinster in Dublin.

Since then, Leinster and have been up on a roll -- Leinster have been

on a roll. This formidable side have won their last 11 games in a

row. A Boxing Day clash against the European champions. Will it be a

foolish gamble great golden opportunity? It is a sell-out for

Leinster against Ulster. Some faces, you will recognise, but lots you

probably won't as five players make their debut today against the

Leinster team, with 10 Irish internationals. Welcome to this

Christmas edition of Costa ruck be live. -- Ulster ruck be live.

Ulster play again in four days' time. Body maker of the decision to

take such an experienced team to Dublin? These guys have to get some

game in their careers, they have to be trapped in the depend. Leinster

went taking the pity. They will play their own style and it is up

to the young players. Most people are expecting Leinster to get a

bonus point this evening. That will allow them to open up a six-point

gap at the top the table. The Scarlets have beaten the Ospreys

this afternoon. Munster played today. What you think about the

decision to take such be weakened side? I think initially they will

be exposed. You rarely find out -- you only find out by playing at the

highest level. Ulster have targeted the Munster game and decided this

is one that there possibly never going to win. They have decided to

rest. A lot of guys are in here for the first time and they are going

to find it interesting. I think that is an understatement. Yes, but

today you can find out if you opt to it or not. -- if you are up to

it. I'm quite excited. I'm looking forward seeing Peter Nelson in

particular. Let's hear from David Humphreys. Is this the night when

you find out what the young boys are made of? Yes, we're going to

find out if the fear of them can make it top level. -- we're going

to find out if a few of them. We know we have a lot of good players

coming through. Leinster are a few years ahead, but hopefully they

will catch up mocked -- much quicker than many people think.

Asked to have not been -- time to Birch. Nigel Brady, Tim Barker. A

first start for James McKinney. 11 victories in a row, this Leinster

side. An all-international front shirt tonight. It is cold but it is

has done a good job. It is the first time I can remember Simon

Danielli, no international clear. Here goes Ian Madigan. That is a

very good kick. Robbie Diack, one of the more experienced players of

the Ulster pack. You can see the strength of that. It has gone just

outside the 22. Seeing the team that was selected for Ulster, they

will be keen to get the win and the bonus point. A huge opportunity for

some of the young players of Ulster. Sean Cronin. They have got to

retreat behind the rear for it. McLaughlan takes it forward. Ian

Madigan. McFadden. Tackle by Chris Farrell, just 18 years of age, his

Ulster debut. Damian Browne does the initial thrusting. Here comes

the formidable Cian Healy. Shane Jennings, the skipper. Good defence

work by Ulster, but loads of blue jerseys there. A drop by Ian

Madigan. Chris Farrell comes hurtling into the lens to half. --

Leinster. Lewis Stevenson... James McKinney, back inside to another of

the new faces on this Ulster side. Ali Birch. Some excellent defence

by else do. No question they will be up to the challenge physically.

Defending very well, forcing a few errors from this against a team who

got into a groove early. Ulster applying some pressure.

enormous Devin Toner in the second row. That line of the Leinster 22.

They must take it back the 22 into the 22. -- into the 22. Conditions

will play the huge part in this match. Tactically, teams will have

to adjust. They must look to set-up position within Ulster's territory.

If road by Nigel Brady, only a couple of caps away from the

century. That is good driving there. Marshall. Taken by Chris barrel.

This time last year, he was... Here is a great chance for Ulster!

Ulster is on the attack. Callum Black... Another new face on the

off to decide. This is great stuff good little spell from this hugely

experienced Gloucester side -- Ulster side. He is using his

considerable strength to stay on his feet. Encouraging both in

defence and attack were Ulster. is hard to believe he is only 24

years of age. But Paul is threatening to disappear over the

roof of the stand. But is from Ian Madigan's kick. -- that is from.

Joseph Schmidt never gives too much away. That wasn't straight. The

first scrum, this will be very interesting. And all international

front row. Callum Black is signing this year from Worcester to Ulster.

He suffered a neck injury but he has been a regular with the ravens.

He is going to be tested against Gibbon indicating to Mike Ross what

illegally by Mike Ross. Probably right at the end of range with that

when but encasing it -- with that wind but enticing enough. They will

be absolutely delighted if they have the first... He came on and

kicked a couple of points from a conversion. What a boost this will

be for this Ulster side. A little bit of drizzle is blowing into the

faces and James McKinney will have to deal with that as well. He has

to hit it pretty hard. Cian Healy having a little word with the

forward just in case it comes off the post. Not too far away, but the

scoreboard stays. A pretty encouraging spell for this Ulster

side. You can see the strength of the wind there. Not quite curling

around enough. He has given that there fairly decent pumpkin the

strong wind. -- decent thump in the strong wind. This is McFadden.

Gordon D'Arcy, the most experienced on the Ulster team. That is very

clever... David Kearney. Here come Leinster again. Kevin McLoughlin. -

- Gavin McLaughlan. He may well have got the body round to present

it to Marshall. Having been under so much pressure, Leinster threaten

to strike right at the heart of the Ulster defence. Marshall looking to

see where my -- where he is placed. Support from the Leinster forwards.

McFadyen... Dislodged by Chris Farrell. Leinster start looking

good on the front but. Some excellent kicking from Paul

Marshall. We see that breakout from register, that is what they are

capable of. They will be very pleased with the way their playing

tonight. Adam Rickwood and is getting some attention. Here come

Leinster again. Skipper Shane Jennings. Mike Ross... Again,

Ulster's first time defence is pretty decent. Ian Madigan... Sean

Cronin topping-up an inside centre. CHEERING. That is very unfortunate

for Peter Nelson. Has played in a couple of Ulster's warm-up games.

He just took his life that. conditions are also making it

difficult at the back. Looking to get some spark into attack when

Leinster -- Ulster want a first- rate. Will the experience of lens

to come to bear in the latter stages of this match? -- the

experience of Leinster. A good squeeze, and this is well within

the kicking range of Ian Madigan. He has got a strong breeze behind

him. A bit of consultation and a their intent. They want to get

something from this field position. Mike Ross at the back. Devin Toner

in the middle. Sean Cronin trying to catapult himself off the side.

Leinster still going forward. Ulster need more men behind the

ball. Good secondary defence by Ulster. Tim Barker going end, the

point of attack is switched. Nearly lost his footing, kept it alive.

Nigel Brady is in the middle of all that. Again, Ulster does hang on.

He comes Sean Cronin... They have got the quick ball. Here it is Ian

Madigan. Good sidestep. Shane Jennings, the skipper. The Munster

referee it is in festive spirit. The referee's Hammett a good look -

- the referee is having a good look. It is going to be a five-metre

scrum. You've got to be impressed with the urgency Ulster showing in

defence. Not being overawed by the occasion. It looks like Michael

Allen initially and then Nigel Brady come in to help. Immense

upper-body strength. He managed to hold the player up and the scrum

looks like resolving. Ulster might find themselves under a lot of

pressure from the scrum but Leinster will have to work doubly

hard. A good piece of defence from Michael Allen, only 20 years of age.

Ulster's metal up front. Still no score. He may well make it, he has

made it, I'm sure! The referee is not convinced. He has to go up to

of the scrum. It looks like Nelson has got underneath that. Unless he

has forced that on the second attempt. The initial reply suggests

the ball was held up. It could be another case of heroic defence from

Ulster. First it was Michael Allen and now it is Peter Nelson. Nelson

had to retreat and he came back. His ankle was great, he may have

got his legs underneath it. -- his angle. Has Auva'a got that down?

Ali Bacher and James McKinney, in there. -- Ali Birch. The ball was

held up, said the TMO. But it is going to be a Leinster five-metre

scrum, yet again. Extraordinary positive Ulster Defence, has denied

Leinster twice. Can they deny them the middle of the Ulster front row.

Concentration on the face of Black against Ross. Leinster get the

strike, and it collapses, the pick up. I thought the referee was going

to go for the penalty, he changed his mind. Ulster hang on again.

Just to the right of the Ulster posts, Mike Ross, looking for his

first Leinster try, he still can't there. Madigan, a lovely step from

Fitzgerald. Fergus MacFadyen, there were men out right. Redden, surely

this time. Ulster, throwing from the Ulster Defence. There are

so many men out wide. That was almost inevitable, but a great

spell by the Ulster Defence, but it. It was late -- weight of

numbers. Quick hands, cast on coming in to try to cut of the

wide. He knew he had plenty of team-mates and it was picked up by

Carr. Many people predicted Ulster would be standing under their posts

a lot earlier. Now that they are behind, can they come back and

maintain the ferocity of that defence, which has managed to hold

Leinster out until this point in the game? Into the second quarter

of the game, and opening try for very good kick indeed. The wind was

behind them, but it was treacherous, and MacFadyen put the icing on the

try kick. 7-02 Leinster. -- 7-0, to Leinster. It was a beautiful kick,

he just let the wind bring it Hank tantalisingly for Ulster

players to chase. It is spilled backwards, it is Devin Toner. Chris

Farrell, with the initial tackle. Madigan, well tackled by Peter

Nelson. No point in trying to take him high, he is so strong. D'Arcy

slipped the first tackle there. Leinster, into Ulster's half by a

few metres, a little readjustment, Cronin is slow -- so belligerent.

Ulster have got themselves offside. The referee is playing advantage.

The penalty advantage is still there. Redden, beautifully done, a

sweeping dummy, he needs a bit of help. It was knocked forward, the

advantage was over for Ulster. Good refereeing. Yes, through the gap.

Ulster, scrambling well defensively again. Getting plenty of men back,

certainly can't doubt the enthusiasm of Ulster. Leinster, a

bit of inaccuracy through the game has meant they have turned over

possession, some loose passes, and it might be Tim Barker going

off. He does not look in great shape. If he goes off, that means

possibly a first cap for James Simpson. Although Neil McCombe

might slide into the second row. I don't think I have ever seen Tim

Barker leave the field injured before. He has been -- he is made

replacement, I feel it might be James Simpson. He can play in the

back row as well. It might be Neil that badly injured. Brian

O'Driscoll and Leo Cullen, Leinster's Heineken Cup-winning

placement is certainly an issue. A couple of players have lost their

footing in attack, and difficult conditions to move the scrum, to

giving Ulster plus 11, when at the teams were announced it was about

past 25. That was a legal piece of Leinster's scrummaging and the

penalty has gone against Leinster. Cian Healy, the man on the other

side of the scrummage. The scrum did come down on Callum Black's

is important that Ulster get time in possession, they have defended

very well. Eventually, that level of work takes its toll. They need

to get time in possession, go through some phases, some ball in

hand rugby, into the wind. Nigel Brady has been brought up to the

Ulster at the breakdown, Marshall looking for somebody to run and

take it on, Diack obliges, met head on by Shane Jennings who has to run

that, but he took it well. Ulster, keeping it relatively tight. Good

driving play by Ali Bacher. Mike Ford and has given possession back

to Leinster. There are times when he -- You have to settle things

down. The tactic of taking the quick tap into the wind was a good

one. Took the eye of the ball, the right tactic but not the execution

on this occasion. Leinster's scrummage, approaching the half

hour in terms of time played, only seven point between them. Ulster

have the strong at wind at their backs in the second half and will

not want Leinster to score too many the form player at the moment. A

slightly slippery surface let him down. Still a great chance. Leo

Auva'a. Again, all the pressure coming from Leinster. So many men

out wide. Cochrane, sucked in and the wing. There was the punch from

Fitzgerald and then the stretch -- the punt. Hugely disappointed about

being excluded from the Ireland lock Cup squad but is back to his

best form. Playing with -- the Ireland World Cup squad. Playing

Ireland World Cup squad. Playing playing with width and having but

quality of possession. Ultimately, sheer weight of numbers gets them

across the line for the second time. Sean Cronin, his first try for his

conversion from the opposite side of the field, and this is probably

the better side for a right-footed between the posts! That is a pretty

decent example of goal-kicking by Fergus McFadden. Outstanding.

Madigan, finding the space in the wider channel. Similar to the first

try. Leinster play with an intensity and a tempo that makes it

very difficult. We saw against Bath in the Heineken Cup, they

dismantled them by playing with here. Now they have got their tails

up. And Ulster get a penalty. This is kickable. Yeah, Ali Bacher has

been very prominent defensively, that time getting his hands over

the ball. -- Ali Birch has been. The resultant penalty is welcome

the centre in the shape of Chris Farrell, one in the back row,

Connor Joyce. James McKinney, only tournaments under his belt, making

has made that one, nicely done. and Jonnie Bell, there. A little

bit of a correction,, Joyce plays D'Arcy. Marshall, Brady. Taken by

signing at prop forward. Michael Allen, trying to release Chris

Cochrane. Well won on the ground by Louis Stephenson. I'll stick drank

their best to match the arts the half by a matter of metres. Good

work by the Ulster pack. Going in twos and threes, protecting the

ball, going through a number of faces. Leinster penalised, an

opportunity for Ulster, back in lens the territory. That is where

you want to be, get possession James McKinney and his half-back

partner says, don't worry. Apart from Paul Marshall, the entire

Ulster back division have been playing regularly for the Ulster

ravens. It is basically an Academy penalty for not releasing in the

tackle. There is time for Leinster to add another point or two before

at his back. His kicking all season has been excellent. That was not

excellent, that might just go dead, it has. They will have to come all

the way back for the scrummage. Ian Madigan has got a bit of a bloody

nose, he will get a metaphorical bloody nose from his coach for not

finding his touch. He went for length rather than accuracy. Trying

to get too much out of that. The tactic on the second phase of that

play was going to be the driven line-out. They are not going to get

that opportunity, it is back to scrum time, Rs that have probably a

better returns out of the scrum and Leicester -- Ulster have probably

got better returns out of the scrum than Leinster. A good squeeze by

Leinster but a much better Ulster's scrum, could control by Diack,

Leinster will get the put in -- others are about performance.

Ultimately, you're always judged on results but one feels for the

coaching and management team. This game is more about the team

performance and individual performance, what they can glean

from the development of some of these players, as time goes on.

lot of individual boxes tick in a very positive manner, so far

tonight. Again, the Leinster front Road guilty of collapsing, the

referee is not taking any nonsense. Mike Ross, not binding correctly.

Can it make any put Ulster reasonably close to the Leinster

line? -- can McKinney put Ulster? Ulster won't care, they have got

the penalty, they are the team in the opposition territory. They will

look at the score board, many people in the press room thought

the scoreline would be a lot more bloated than it is. Nobody was

giving Ulster any chance whatsoever. A better kick by James McKinney,

Ulster within striking distance of the Leinster line. Leinster, nearly

from an offside position. Good clearing out by Ulster. Good

support by Ali Bacher and Konno support here, they are making that

support heard. Well in by Leo relatively inexperienced Ulster and

Brian McLaughlin will be delighted for a very good ball security,

getting the numbers to ensure they retain possession, doing the basics

very well. That has afforded Ulster Ulster pack. Adam their is getting

better with every game -- Adam close range, of by James McKinney.

Leinster 14 and Ulster 6. It looks like a couple of season-ticket

holders have not taken the option of showing up for this game, they

are missing a good contest. finished this half. Crucial that

they don't give a way that they have tried just before half-time.

David Kearney came in from the middle. Ridden again. -- Reddan.

Leinster had really driven into the heart of the 22. All the pressure

now coming from Leinster. Nigel Brady does a great tackling job.

Taken on by Damian Browne. Mike Ross... Well presented. Damian

Browne, making a with the -- the tackle. Lense to get possession,

but James McKinley deserves on us for that. Chris Cochrane took the

wrong option, should have stayed out. Sensing the opportunity cover

straight onto the ball. Paul Marshall makes the break and then

just a mass communication, Chris Cochrane thinking it was going a

natural -- Amis -- miscommunication. Kevin McLoughlin, a comeback for

the Ulster side. Relents to go for the scrum here? They certainly have

the option to go for the three points. You would expect them to go

for the scrum at this point in the game. They have got the experience.

I think that is the option they are Ulster didn't concede anything

further by the interval, they might be in with a shout. They haven't

the resetting of these scrums. -- would be too concerned. Leinster

probably haven't utilised the wind enough in this half. Equate scrum

by Leinster. -- a great scrum. Leinster will go for the scrum

again, I'm sure. Ulster will be looking at playing into the wind

and will be delighted with their solid at Leinster. Try No. 3 for

Leinster just before half-time. They are just starting to pull away.

Poor defence in the back row by Ulster. They nearly got their

earlier in the first half. The defence attracted wider, just

getting it under the post. pretty certain he is not going to

miss this one. Just Roma are hoping from a Ulster perspective that they

could hang on to the eight. Deficit, all of a sudden it is a big 13.

Deficit. -- 13- point. Physically, they were up to the challenge. The

scoreboard doesn't truly reflect the effect that Ulster have put

the effect that Ulster have put the effect that Ulster have put

indefensibly. -- defensively. It has been a gutsy first half by a

Ulster's Young guns. Luke Fitzgerald lit up the town for the

men in blue. The Ulster defence stood very firm on a couple of

occasions, but it can last for long. A mistake by Paul Marshall,

uncharacteristic of him. And another fantastic break by Luke

Fitzgerald. It led to Leinster's second try of the game. McKinney

knocked over. It has been a good defence performance by Ulster, but

Leinster looked impressive. Three tries and a 5th team point margin.

And we can hear from the Ulster director of rugby. Despite the late

try, you must take some positives from that. It was a very good

first-half performance. We defended We created a couple of

opportunities, particularly early on. Just some small mistakes.

we say to them in the dressing room? I think it is a case of

getting back out. A lot of our young players haven't experienced

this intensity before. We have got to go out and try and get the ball

now. We have got some very good runners, if they can keep that ball

and not make so many mistakes, it will be good. You come out

sometimes after half-time thinking the wind might tubby, if we just

try to take the ball away, we need to keep making tackles. I think we

have got come out with a really positive attitude. We have got

nothing to lose. Andy, what did you make Bob Foster's performance? --

of Ulster's performance? I would like to have seen these young guys

playing with a couple more senior players just to calm them down a

bit and curve their enthusiasm, have put it in the right channels.

There has been a lot of talk about the Ulster defence and how great it

has been, but you're not going to win the game had just three

defending. If they had just a couple of experienced players

dotted in a monks the team, that would have helped. -- in a monster.

It would have been a great thing to see. I just think they missed that

little bit. Paul Marshall as the most experienced player behind the

pack. That is a good thing, but these young players want to improve

themselves alongside, not just out in front. It would have been a nice

boost to them to be playing alongside more experienced players.

It was always going to be a massive ask for this inexperience to Ulster

side. But let's look good the positives. A good start? Yes, we

were concerned. Leinster came out looking very good. They were able

to the Palace Pier off the back of this. -- they were able to repel us

here. Any chances that we have had have been off the back of Leinster.

There will be something in the second half... These passages of

play, it is all very good, they are doing the right things, but look

how much Leinster is committing to these are rucks. These Leinster

guys could do this all day long. Them making it hard for themselves.

You'll see clips later Ron whereby it is just so quick -- later on. I

think there will take its toll. their defence something that help

them out? And the ability to create quick balls, they have some pretty

good individuals like Mike Ross. They were dwarfing some of our

props. It equates to a lot of huff and puff.

These are big, international rugby players running at them and these

guys are probably half the side, physically. That is all you can ask

for from a coaching perspective. It just came down to numbers, it took

its toll. That is the experience of Leinster. And Tony, you would

expect that Ulster are going to have to do a lot more defending in

the second half. It is all about trying to soak up as much

experience from this much as possible. We hope that they don't

have to. We're quite realistic that as the game goes on, we will do

more. I think we will see that we will need to chase well if we do

kick. Luke Fitzgerald is extremely strong.

You can see what Paul has trying to do her, to speed the game up and

try and keep it more fluid from our point of view. Luke Fitzgerald is

very quick here. He is a very exciting player. He

looks so fast. He makes good, sound decisions on what he is doing with

decisions on what he is doing with the ball.

If you are a young guys out here tonight, you will learn from that.

The scoreboard didn't look that bad The scoreboard didn't look that bad

for Ulster. Absolutely. I would have been delighted with that. They

have come out with a fairly good result. They need to turn it round

and see if they can maintain the ball. If this young group of

players was able to maintain the poor, they would do well. -- the

ball. That exactly what you're back-row

once. -- that is exactly what your wants. His their part of you, Tony,

which is disappointed today? -- is There was a decision to be made

last week which would give the guys a turnaround of the week. They have

set out to win the home game against Munster on Friday. A

publisher's that lends to have been able to manage their time up to the

season much better. -- Leinster have been able. Does that show the

depth and strength of these teams? I was speaking to Simon Shaw a

couple of weeks ago. It goes to show what is really going on. We

are seeing guys thrown into the back row tonight he was 18 years

old. If you're good enough, you are up to it, but otherwise you will

look a long way off your peak physical condition. The Ulster

rugby fans went get a chance to see them at all in these two double-

header matches of the Christmas period. That is the upshot. You pay

your soup -- season-ticket. What we like to see his Ulster to give a

good account of themselves so that -- as a team, but I would like to

see a good spattering of senior players and young players. Let's

That is not about strike, well covered by Luke Fitzgerald. Ian

Madigan kept that low. I don't think it was deliberate. McKinney...

Well trapped by a sham car. What a good tackle by Paul Marshall.

Callum Black did a good job, covering back again. And Luke

Fitzgerald is dangerous every times. Ulster have the wind at their backs,

they need to insure they have that the match award before. Tim Barker.

Robbie Diack, a little bit out of its own. -- zone. Here is Michael

Allen. Paul Marshall lost his footing. Back goes Callum Black.

There has been a change in the quickly. He has gone over on his

ankle. One of those ones where the second player comes in at an

awkward angle. He get pushed backwards on to his ankle. A little

bit unfortunate. He has played 75 times for Connacht. Andrew Conway,

the Junior World Cup player. But he was caught, he was almost double

tackled, but he seems to be fine. It is good news for Fionn Carr and

Leinster, maybe not for Ulster but always good to see a player get up

after what looked like a serious injury. The first scrum of the

second half, Leinster's put in. That was no way near straight. But

who cares, these days(!) Gordon D'Arcy tries to slip inside. Reddan

gets it away. A typically rampaging charge by him but he has lost the

ball. The referee is playing advantage, they come back to the

knock forward. Ulster, looking to have the same urgency again in

defence. You can't rely on that to get you through the game, Leinster

will go back -- eventually break you down. Ulster will be keen to

get ball in hand but in the right places. They need to use the wind

at their backs, established field position and then go through the

paces. Michael Allen, doing a decent job in the middle of the

Marshall takes it quickly. Marshall was may be put off. They have lost

ground. He Gordon D'Arcy. It went forward from his hand, after it --

three World Cups. Great upper-body strength, a low centre of gravity

as well. Tom Court, clearing a bit of RBS mud from his boots. He will

add a lot more experience, and also bulk and good old fashioned muscle

to the Ulster front row. I can't understand why it this competition,

the proton of, and the Heineken Cup, allow two prop forwards on the

replacement bench and the Six Nations does not -- the pro- 12,

and the Heineken Cup. The referee in more trouble than giving away

penalties, if he continues to pull the scrum down. James McKinney has

found touch. Is the son of John McKinney, the man who for so many

years was in charge of rugby at Campbell College and took them to

the Ulster Schools Cup final. He was a decent wing three-quarter in

his day as well. That is battered, here is O'Farrell, formerly of

Campbell College. He ducked into the tackle, nothing illegal about

that. Pick up by Kalam Black, Lewis Stephenson giving him a bit of

Court set it up. Ali Birch into reverse gear. The ball is off the

ground, they have got to get it off the ground. After were in danger of

losing that, because they were off the ground. -- Ulster were in

going to go straight for Wood. Court still takes it on, very

encouraging by him. -- to go straight forward. Marshall needs a

few more men in there. Can they capitalise on the position? And the

staffed. Chris Cochrane does well. He is going to make it, what a

score. What a riposte by Ulster. Three tries to nil down after the

interval and they have come back and scored the try of the evening.

Impressive stuff, going through the phases, around the fringes. Tom

Court creates good quality possession and then wonderful

sleight of hand by making me. Perfect angle by Cochrane --

sleight of hand by making me. A wonderful piece of finishing by no

defensive errors in the first half but it is redemption time. He was

up to it. He plays his club rugby with Dungannon and the ravens.

looking rosier for Ulster. We are back to the situation where there

are only eight points between them. We can see the benefits of playing

together for the ravens. Cochrane comes through the middle, excellent

cohesion, important that Ulster were first to score, to make this a

contest. Marshall has given that one heck of a kick. If you are

going to kick tactically, that is exactly what you have to do. You

don't kick it to the opposition, you kick it where the opposition

can't get it. You can see the effect add has had on the Ulster

body language. They are chasing the kicks with venom and they will be

encouraged by that start in the second half. They can play in

opposition territory, it has brought some excitement to this

contest. Toner wins it, Reddan and make that tackle? D'Arcy, trying to

use the craft and guile -- and this is the big number eight.

Reddan. If Leinster are going to be spurred into replying quickly. A

good offload to Fitzgerald. Tackled by James McKinney. Reddan, Madigan.

He hit a good sidestep. The ball has gone loose. It is knocked

forward. The referee, playing advantage. Leinster are all at

sixes and sevens. They are going through a rocky patch in terms of

settle in. -- saturnine. -- settling. They are not showing the

composure you expect from a team that has won 11 on the trot. Carr

got tackled, Fitzgerald was well marshalled, I think Carr is going

off, that is a bit unfortunate. minutes played in the second half.

Andrew Conway is seriously quick, the former Irish calls and under 20

spire. -- Irish schools and under it away well, McKinney, nicely

Ulster did not have enough men in the middle of all that. Another

outrageous dummy by Reddan. The referee, much to the annoyance of

the Leicester crowd, as not allowed Leinster any advantage -- of the

Leinster crowd. He has given a knock-on. Gordon D'Arcy, driving

through the centre of the maul. A difficult ball bouncing around,

ruled to have touched the ball on the way through. When you put

youngsters into this sort of atmosphere, you get enthusiasm and

after have lacked none of that. You are waiting for the lens the

composure to be brought to bear but Ulster are doing well to keep in

touch -- the Leinster composure to be brought to bear. Chris Cochrane

is injured. Gaston was the replacement wing but he has started

because of a late withdrawal of Simon Danielli. Ricky Andrew is on

the bench for Ulster. Leinster have the comfort of a very experienced

bench. If you look through the names, Richardt Strauss, Isaac Boss,

experienced players at this level we could be called on if required.

improvement in the Ulster scrum. Farrell as well. James McKinney

gets it away, a great piece of play by Nelson. What a wonderful run

Allen. Couldn't quite get the pass away. Ulster's young backs in

sparkling form with ball in hand. They are taking it to Leinster.

Allen trying to position himself you get the pass away.

Unfortunately, running out of space on the outside. As the tackle comes

in, he looks for the offload, just not going to hand. Some impressive

lead-up work and certainly having a go. The Devon Taione a wins it.

Ulster might have disrupted -- Devin Toner wins it. He did well,

here comes Stevenson. Pick up by Callum Black. Well taken in by Ali

Birch, he has had a good Ulster debut. Good lens their defence. --

good Leinster defence. I think he is leaving it. Court squeezes and

drives and squeeze it again. Nigel this highly experienced Ulster side.

tight. Marshall, a barrel. -- good defence. Leinster's secure

possession again. A little inside flip, the Leinster defence is solid.

Tom Court maybe in the middle of that. A good steal by Leinster.

Terrific piece of play by Shane Jennings, good work by Ulster, but

offside. What a great piece of pressure by this Ulster side and an

equally good piece of defence by Leinster, who will be shocked by

the ferocity of the young Ulster Lions. Shane Jennings, showing all

that experience, to infiltrate the maul and rip the ball out. It would

have made it interesting, had Ulster got a score, with the wind

at their backs and in the ascendancy. Up to Leinster to

field for Leinster. Her Kevin McLaughlin will probably slip into

the second row and radical take his position in the back row. --

he has come on, the son of former Leinster and Welsh coach Mike

Ruddock. Leinster, realising they have got to take this Ulster side

on up front and they are doing a done by the veteran, Reddan, if he

doesn't mind recalling him that. Healy is down injured, -- if he

Joyce and Neil McCombe. Leinster, trying to create with, as they did

in the first half. -- create width. Robbie Diack gets across. Reddan

again, good Leinster pressure, looking for another try which would

secure the bonus point. The crowd seemed to sense something is on.

came bouncing straight back. As you would expect, from the champions of

Europe. They showed how dangerous they can be on the front foot. They

seem to go into cruise control mode. High-tempo ball, Reddan start

sniping around the edges, exciting stuff to watch, bringing the crowd

back into the game. Shane Jennings, interestingly, has decided to go

for the posts. A mark of respect for Ulster's performance in this

second half. Already, one would have thought enough of a buffer,

but Leinster, not taking any chances, trying to increase the

margin as they go in search of the 4th try. MacFadyen has been in

cracking form, he landed three conversions in the first half. We

are nearly midway through the second half and this is the first

genuine chance of Leinster points in the second half, which speaks

volumes for the tenacity of this Ulster side. Fergus MacFadyen, now

wide. How did he miss that one? Only he knows. Marshall needs to

settle himself, and he has done. That was a let off for of that.

tactic looked like kick it low into the wind, to take that out of it,

but it did not rule required, with the distance but was there. It

looked more like a soccer penalty attempt. Fitzgerald, underneath it,

they need to watch out for him. Reddan, McLaughlin at pace.

Leinster, being patient, that is the key word. One wonders where

Rhys radical be playing his rugby next year. -- Rhys Ruddock will be

playing his rugby. Kevin no but then again. -- Kevin McLaughlin

again. Again, good Ulster defence, but the leads the pressure is

mounting. Jennings. -- the Leinster recycling, and great driving. This

is Reddan again, that was very close. Again, the crowd get behind

them, it is Healy. Fitzgerald. I think Leinster have nudged that

forward. Ulster, living right on the very edge. Once again,

desperate defence denying Leinster. We saw a couple of tries held up

over the line in the first half, this is desperate defence from the

outside. Wonderful tackle by Paul Marshall on the bigger man. The

ball out into the wider channels, Chris Cochrane, analysing the

situation perfectly, coming into cut of that attack. We see a comedy

of errors, fumbling the ball, Ulster have a chance to clear their

lines. I think if Fitzgerald had not released Abul, Cochrane would

have got the intercept in. -- not never expect anything. The two

coaches at the moment, Brian McLaughlin might be happier.

tremendous but -- performance from Ulster so far. The adrenalin will

start be wearing off in this match. Will they have that focus and

ability to sustain this level of before the ball goes in, but the

referee is going to ask them to do it again. You can see how badly the

pitch is becoming cut up. Kevin McLoughlin has gone into the second

have got that a lot quicker, Ulster. The No. It was very definitely at

Leinster. Eoin O'Malley has come on. Solid Leinster's gram. Good work by

Marshall. Here comes Eoin O'Malley, straight away. Leinster's still

have it can go looking for the bonus point try. Ulster need to be

careful they don't concede another penalty. Narrow side effort. Here

is the big New Zealander going for his second try. It's going to be

one for Reddan. Sean Cronin has a look to either side. Peter

Fitzgibbon is still there. Again, Leinster press and Ulster did in. -

- dig in. The referee has blown the whistle, I think somebody is

injured. I think Sean Cronin has maybe got a bumper the head. Once

again, the Ulster defence on the line can be denying Leinster. A bit

more composure in their efforts at this time. Cian Healy trying to get

across that line. They haven't checked the physical aspect of this

game. -- shirked. Just over 15 has meant that West Yorkshire

Police have had -- has meant that Ulster has not a single

international. Sean Cronin has gone off the field. Richardt Strauss is

coming on. He has played more than 50 times for the cheetahs back in

his native country. It is one of those positions where Leinster have

got enviable depth. The ability to rotate his playing resources, they

have huge depth in their face what. -- in their squad. Through no fault

of anyone, the front rows stood up. 15 minutes remaining, eight points

between them. That little post with a plastic bag is the corner post,

indicating how close Leinster art of the Ulster line. -- how close

Leinster are to the Ulster line. Not through the mark, as is the

referee. I'm sure Leinster will go free yet another scrum. A couple of

occasions, Leinster have tried that, but it will be back to scrum time

again. Leinster, top of the pro 12 well over an hour to get into full

voice. CHEERING.. Maybe they haven't really seen the need for it.

There will be huge pride in the performance from this team. It is

vital they keep it on for the next 40 minutes. Leinster are capable of

scoring a lot of points in that time. The referee has given a try.

That is the bonus try. Leinster would have scored the try, hence

the penalty try. That really is game over. Bonus point for Leinster.

A great squeeze on and the Ulster front row collapsed under all that

pressure. Tom Corke down on one knee. Leinster a benefiting from

fact that the scrum could not be completed. 13 minutes remaining.

McFadden with no mistake this time. That is his 4th conversion.

Leinster and now leading by 28 points to 13. -- Leinster are now

leading. 12 minutes left on the clock. An opportunity for Stuart

boarding coming on. -- Olding. is lovely stuff. Andrew Conway just

couldn't hold the ball. What a moment for this 18-year-old, Stuart.

When you look at the age of that back line, playing in front of

15,000 here. The average age is probably slightly under 20. Jamie

Hagan coming on, Mike Ross going off with a medical official. Jamie

Hagan came here to Leinster at the end of last season from Connacht.

He played 50 times for Connacht. Cian Healy might well go off. It

seems he has got a problem with his neck. He looks like he was

physically ill her. -- there. McGrath is on. Leinster have

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

remaining. Good squeeze by Leinster. Ulster come in from the wrong side.

That is a penalty to Leinster, who want to make little bit of ground

from that. He did well to maintain his feet for long enough. An

opportunity for Leinster now. Ulster do want to do is put their

heads down and concede anything more. 10 more minutes remaining.

Ulster went one to concede anything more, if possible. Ian Madigan.

Gordon D'Arcy... Shane Jennings. Robbie Diack with the tackle, needs

to get away from it. Ali Birch coming through. Reddan does really

well. The Eoin O'Malley. Here is Andrew Conway. Good covering by

Jerry Creggan. -- Cronin. Ian Madigan has done it again! CHEERING.

A lovely little try. Some excellent work. Ian Madigan involved again,

and from that recycled ball, some clever footwork by Ian Madigan. He

slipped through the tackle and under the post. You were talking

about Leinster's strength and depth in a number of positions. They're

not too bad, are they? Looking good at this level. The challenge for

Ulster was, could they maintain that focus throughout the remaining

life -- minutes of the second half? It is a challenge they have still

got it faced. It will be unfortunate for them if that

now. Neil Annett has come on for Ulster. This is a young man with a

bright future. Former Irish Under 20 captain. There is another new

Ulster cap. They're giving them out like Christmas presents. Brian

McLaughlan wearing a Santa suit in terms of handing out caps. Isaac

playing with the error very confident player who has just

scored a fine try. -- with the air. Well brought down by Tom Corke.

Plenty of men out wide, Gordon D'Arcy... Here come Leinster again.

A nice little switch. That line was Ulster's 22. Boss... Jack McGrath.

It is all blue. And again, the out of the way. -- gets. Great

events by Peter Nelson. It has been a feature of Ulster's performance.

They have been forced into a number of errors. They're working hard to

get numbers back. Ultimately, as buyers enthusiasm and urgency goes,

Ulster have been top of the list. Ulster's wind up. Neil Annett. --

line-up. Here is Eoin O'Malley. That is cleverly done. Here is

McFadden. Boss. Four minutes remaining. Leinster with five tries

in the bag already. Boss... Tackled by Stuart Olding. Boss looking

composed. Shane Jennings... Ulster players throwing themselves into

the tackle as hard as they can. A good line taken by McFadden again.

Sweetly down. Are they going to get another try? No way through. It was

Ali Birch with the tackle, what an Ulster debut he has had. Jameel

Prize defence has got to -- Ulster defence... All that pressure simply

had to pay. Jameel Prize just couldn't hold out. -- Ulster.

Eventually, when you're defending for long periods of time, it

becomes difficult to get the right men in the right places. McFadden

prepares to take the conversion. Leinster had done exactly what they

needed to do. Leinster have come away. The penalty try really

settled it and then a couple of tries after that. This conversion

to come from Fergus McFadden who has only missed one kick all

21 points in the first half for Leinster. 21 points in the second

half for Leinster. One more minute morning and had not saying the game,

you would expect that scoreline -- if you were waking up in the

morning and had not seen the game. They made them work hard for their

tries, no question. Here come Leinster again. The ball goes dead

from here, that is going to be it, I suspect. Madigan, putting a bit

of distance on it. Michael Allen gets it away, Chris Farrell has had

no chance at all to show what he is like with ball in hand. He has had

an evening defending and knocking down men in blue and he has done a

pretty well. But Leinster's strength in depth is quite

phenomenal. Boxing Day. Gordon D'Arcy says well

done to one of his Leinster colleagues. One of the Leinster

try-scorers, Leo Auva'a. 21-6 at half-time. Three tries in the

second half. It took Leinster quite a while, they had to hold off a bit

of Ulster Resistance. What will Brian McLaughlin make of this?

think more positive than negative so. They usually experienced team

fought well. -- more positives than negatives. I thought they put in a

very positive performance, plenty of urgency, plenty of pride in the

jersey. Ulster will certainly be happy with the performance, if not

the result. Three first-half tries from Fionn Carr, Sean Cronin and

Leo Auva'a. For Leinster, a couple of James McKinney penalties. It

took Leinster another 20 minutes before they scored the 4th and

conclusive try and it was a penalty try from a scrummage. At the end,

Jamie Hagon, and all three were converted by McFadden. Ulster have

a lot to do, and they really simply must win against Munster this

STUDIO: It was inevitable, wasn't it? A Christmas canter, for

Leinster. Boxing Day blues for Ulster. Leinster never really

looked under pressure. They eased looked under pressure. They eased

to a 21-6 lead at the interval. Credit to Ulster's young guns, who

came out blazing, scored a superb try of their own. For a while, it

was not as straightforward as everyone expected. The smiles do

not last for long, as the experienced home side outplayed the

enthusiastic travelling team. Three more tries for a very easy bonus

point victory for Leinster. A resounding 42-13 win. A 29 point

winning margin in the end and Leinster have opened up a six point

Lets hear from the Ulster coach, Brian McLaughlin.

I'm sure the scoreline does not reflect what you thought about the

game. Not at all. We are exceptionally pleased with the

young guys. We thought we held our hands up well. We think the

scoreline in the end flattered Leinster. We had to take a look at

these young fellas, they have a little bit to learn in the way they

attacked. There was a period in the first half and second half when we

had an opportunity and you have got to take those chances on these

stages. We didn't and again got away from us. But you can't fault

them, they held their hands up well and did the province proud. As they

made Leinster work hard for patches. They certainly did. Brian

O'Driscoll was loving there the young fellows. It is a great night

for them, a learning experience and that is the key thing they have to

land. When you get opportunities at this level, you have got to take

them. Defensively, a very good performance. We put some good

tackles in but there were soft tries as well. But they are young,

they will learn from it. What will you say to them? Well done but lots

of things to learn. A thought on Munster in a few days. If are

senior guys are watching that, they see the energy -- if our senior

guys are watching that. If we get a Andy Ward and Tony McWhirter have

been watching this. Brian McLaughlin, but in a positive spin

on this, rightly or wrongly so? think rightly so. I would love to

see the tackle count. I thought Ali Birch had a fantastic game, tackled

everything that came towards him. A lot of positive performances. Allen

played particularly well. I think had there been one or two more

senior players, it could have been a different outcome. The coach,

taking positive, but too easy for Leinster in the end? A walk in the

park. It was in the end, the floodgates opened in the last 10

I think from the team picked, an acceptable performance and

scoreline. If you wake up and see the score, and think it was a game

against the two Test teams, you would not be too happy. But when

you see who is available, no Ulster player should be happy about the

scoreline, but we have done well for the team we had. A lot of the

young guys have come out with credit. Ulster got themselves back

into the game. A great score. Fantastic, they built it up well.

It is nice to see, when you get in the opposition 22, keep the ball

and something will come from it. They ran some nice lines, they knew

what was happening, and showed a good bit of strength to finish it

off. You can't ask for any more, you visit the opposition 22 added

come out with something tangible. Cochrane impression? Bits and

pieces, defensive record at sea a couple of times. -- defensively,

caught at sea a couple of times. Exposure at this level of rugby

will only bring him on and that is the one thing Ulster will look for.

That these young guys grasp the nettle, see what is all about.

Coming to training on Monday, Tuesday, and go again. They have

had a game at this level, they want to play more at the level and put

pressure on the Test team to battle for places. Brian McLaughlin

mentioned that O'Driscoll had said well done to the young players, it

is great to get praise. Without a shadow of a doubt, great to get

praise from one of the world's great players. Here we are in the

opposition 22, need to come away with something. On this occasion,

didn't quite. The build up his good, playing some good stuff. Some of

the players getting caught in wrong positions and that is a bit of

inexperience. A good work-rate, we can see them organising of the ball,

that is what it is all about. was about the speed of the

breakdown at the end. That is the bit where Leinster found it

specifically, having the ability to be bigger and stronger in the

tackle. It is the speed of ball. the first half, the ruck became the

It is great to see, Ulster have thrown themselves about and got in

their faces and that is all you can ask from the young guys. Just to

get in there and defend. People may be surprised for you to say that

Ulster had a good defensive performance because they look so

many tries, but they did. You have to look at this in context, in

terms of the personnel. There were a lot of young guys and untried

combinations. Whenever you are at the RDS, playing against the

European champions, it is a different kettle of fish. I think

Leinster just had too much experience and firepower. That was

not an example of Ulster defending well. The scrum wilted under

pressure for the penalty try. At other times, Ulster defended well.

They did exceptionally well defensively. It is very difficult

to defend, not an easy job. Especially when you are going

backwards. I'll start conceding a lot of yardage each time Leinster

get on the front foot -- Ulster conceding. You don't get the

experience on the training pitch. The floodgates opened at the end, a

couple of more scores were run-in which felt inevitable. It did a bit

and the game changed. Olding, a fantastic tackle, he is 18 years

old. He is still wet behind the ears, it is going to happen. They

have the ability to bring on proven inter-provincial players. -- it is

Our defensive structure was reasonably sound. The offloading in

the tackle took its toll. Good experience from D'Arcy. The guy has

got caught in no-man's land, there. Unfortunately, until that point,

everything was fairly well organised and structured. I thought

Ali Birch had a very good evening. In terms of the RaboDirect Pro 12

league, after have a lot of work to make the top four. They are 9th,

Edinburgh are beating Glasgow currently of which means they will

leapfrog Ulster. They have determined big performances. With a

full-strength Connacht side, against a Munster second-string as

well. There was potential for Connacht to spring a surprise. That

is what this season comes down to. Lets hear from Chris Cochrane.

did prime a prop and have to say? - - Bryan McLaughlin have to say?

should 40 points which was a negative but some of the boys

performed, we made chances and did not finish there -- we should put

40 points your try at the RDS must have been a special feeling? It was

great, to get my first cap and then Well done, thank you for your time.

Munster will be a great occasion and a must win again. We have said

that we are resting a few players. The -- a must win it again. We are

focusing on this Friday-night match. You have got a big job to do.

going to be interesting. It will be interesting to see which team

Munster cent. -- cent. They have a very strong squad. Ulster have a

challenge but they are capable. We need a win as well, very important.

I can confirm Edinburgh have beaten Glasgow, Ulster dropped to 9th in

the Pro 12 table. The big game coming up on Friday his life on BBC