Ulster v Leinster Ulster Rugby Live

After losing last week, Ulster's hopes of making the top four are

hanging by a thread. It doesn't get much tougher than the visit of the

leaders, Leinster. Ulster with their new half-back combination of

Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson. Ulster must win their last two

matches to have any hope of reaching the play-offs. Can they

stop Leinster and their talismanic, Brian O'Driscoll? It is the last

game for Ulster's coach. It is Ulster against Leinster. It is the

last game at home for Ulster's coach, Brian McLoughlin. It is a

sell-out crowd here. Stephen Ferris and Rory Best have been rested

tonight ahead of the Heineken Cup semi-final. So this is the last

game at Ravenhill for Brian McLoughlin, and also Pedrie

Wannenburg. We have a special interview with him at half-time.

There is plenty of unfinished business before that. Tonight's

match could end up being an dress- rehearsal for the Heineken Cup

final! Even the mascot snow not to get too carried away. At the moment

we are set for a bruising battle tonight! That is emergency Eddie in

the middle, here to promote the Police and Fire games, held in

Northern Ireland next year. Good evening to Andy Ward and Tony much

two games and hope that one of their sides above them it slips up.

The Ospreys played The Dragons tonight. You fancy the Ospreys to

win that. We are looking for Munster to do us a favour against

the Scarlets. It could well turn out to be Ulster bursters - Ulster

It is some night for Paddy Jackson tonight. He has been an emerging

talent in the last couple of years. They had him playing at 12 last

week. There is no doubt that this guy has a lot of talent and

pedigree and I hope he has a fantastic match. He is a great

kicker of the ball. Will this be an emotional night tonight for by

McLaughlan Aziz says goodbye to Ravenhill? Undoubtedly. It is a

sell-out, as well. I think the crowd have turned out to thank him

for what he has done in the last 203 games. When he came in, Ulster

were on their way down and he has helped the province turned a corner.

Noel Stephen Ferris, Rory Best or John Afoa tonight. Will Leinster

have too much firepower? I think so, yes. They have phenomenal firepower,

from the front row, the back row, the middle of the pitch, the back

three. Unfortunately, also don't have their full artillery out

tonight. It is a big night for the players on the pitch. A big night

tonight for Darren Cave, up against Brian O'Driscoll. If yes, this

Centra combinations are mouth- watering. Let's hope for a big

performance from the Ulster guys to set them up for next week. Ulster

will try to stop Leinster this evening, becoming the first Irish

present - the first Irish Province to win a full sweep of all six

inter-provincial calendar. Leinster had the big guns on parade tonight.

It is been a while since we saw Brian O'Driscoll at Ravenhill, only

his 4th game this season. There is the man who has to be the greatest

player of his generation, not just in Irish, European or international

rugby, but in terms of world rugby. There is a young man who has been

performing pretty well. To look under its Ulster faces tells its

own story. It will be very difficult for both sides not to

think about European Rugby tonight, but there is a very crucial run-in

in terms of domestic rugby. This is the 32nd time as Ulster captain for

Johann Muller. Nigel Brady is in for the suspended John Afoa. A

Ravenhill goodbye tonight for Pedrie Wannenburg. Willie Faloon is

taking himself of - is taking himself off to the west of Ireland.

You can see Paddy Jackson Chris Baird at outside-half. It is just

his third game of the season in the game. If his first against 5th in

the table. No matter what happens tonight, Leinster will top the

league and guarantee themselves a The first scrum to Ulster. It will

be interesting to see it Ulster have the depth to cover for the

omissions on their team-sheet. We know that Leinster has. Leinster

have a great depth in their squad. Ulster will want to ensure that the

normal starting 15 in their last game Anne's absolutely ran away

with that. It was interesting to see when Ulster did that last week,

they got beaten. That is a very breakdown. I don't think Leinster

will go for the posts from here. They it is important for Ulster

that the get the likes of Andrew Trimble and Craig Gilroy into the

play, share the workload, do the hard yards up front. Jonny Sexton

has made decent in roads towards the Ulster goal line and Leinster

are very good at the line-out. Leo Cullen, Brad Thorn, Dominic Ryan.

This is Jonny Sexton's 68 league Ulster gain an advantage. But was a

mismatch there, Declan Fitzpatrick could not get to Fergus MacFadyen.

Leinster playmakers are very astute at finding what these bases. Fergus

MacFadyen just losing the ball after a very good tackle by Tom

of using Declan Fitzpatrick on the tight-head side? A I think every

selection today is about testing things for next week. Fitzpatrick

towards the touchline, but he has over done it and it is going to,

although way back. Right tactic? There was certainly a lot of space

there, but he didn't get the points of the ball. He is trying to get

some field position. Leinster have an ability to contest the ball no

matter where the breakdown days. The skills of their inside and

outside backs to get over the ball and slow down the possession really

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is a master class. Leinster's Kevin McLoughlin. Nobody at home

for Ulster. What a start for this irresistible Leinster side. They

managed to combine that ferocity with the precision at the break

down. You can see him getting over the advantage line, and once they

do that they are very difficult to contain. Ultimately the break down

the defence through sheer weight of numbers. It was David Carney who

made initial break. That is the second league try for Kevin

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McLoughlin. What a start by the men galloping. They slip into the

groove. Defensive organisation was not therefore Ulster. They had the

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numbers, but there did not get the player here. -- Pedrie Wannenburg.

Ulster concede the penalty, holding on against Chris Henry.

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communication error. Not reading relentless, they keep coming around

the corner, they forced the opposition into a huge defensive

workload. Look at the body position, it is so difficult to dislodge it.

Carrying the ball in the wide channels as well. It is hard to

believe he is only 24, he seems to That was a bit of a shambles. The

well, they would have done scrummaging plenty of times through

their careers. The referee just once in -- referee just once an

even contest. This is not the time for bragging rights. The rain has

started to come down. It is quite fine, but it is coming down Sturley.

since the end of November, has not done a bad job. Ruan Pienaar has

not found touch. The touch judge did not put his flag up. That was

perhaps nudged forward by Luke Fitzgerald. It was well into touch,

and Luke Fitzgerald knocked it forward. It should have been a

line-out to Ulster, but they will take the scrum. Plenty of

opportunity to bring out one of the Prix rehearsed moves. They have

been good at scoring from set- pieces. It is all about securing

the set-piece possession from the scrummage. This is Ulster's best

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have conceded at the breakdown for hanging on in the tackle. Prime

McLaughlan will not be placed. have not been able to clear beyond

the tackle situation. Ulster have not been able to dislodge him. It

is another penalty given away. Chris Henry seems to have banged

his knee. That was the breakdown, and the referee did not hesitate.

Johann Muller missed the game last weekend. Brian McLoughlin with two

more guaranteed games after this, he would like it to be four or five.

But what happens tonight will dictate a lot of that, Ulster need

to win and hope that scores elsewhere go their way. You do not

win league titles in the autumn, but you can lose them. Having

started so well, with three wins in a row, they lost four in a row, and

that has been their downfall, if that is how it pans out. Chris

Henry still in trouble. They want to win this game. If they do not

get the win, they will not sit -- they will not want to ship any

significant injuries. Chris Henry is grimacing, but he is taking his

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terms of the defence, and it has paid off, because the Leinster try

scorer has spilled it forward to give Ulster the scrum. It is the

defensive workload, it takes its toll later in the game. The last

passage of play, Chris Henry receiving more treatment, I am not

sure he will be with us for much longer. He is going off, and Robbie

Diack is coming on. That is a blow for Ulster. I do not know if it is

serious. There is a fair degree of precaution. But they will not risk

anything. Robbie Diack will come on. They will move him to No. 8, with

Pedrie Wannenburg going to number six. We will see. Willie Faloon

will stay at open-side. No, Pedrie Wannenburg will stay at No. 8.

first quarter. A try after seven minutes by Kevin McLoughlin for

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thing, he put one foot into touch. It is a pity try -- Ulster turned

possession throughout this game. They have at an intensity at the

breakdown that Ulster have not been able to match. Her there is still a

lot of tickets left for the Heineken Cup semi-final, for

it delights of this fella, Ruan Pienaar, for the next two years.

Ulster fans are very aware of what he is capable of. Excellent

individual player, but also very responsible for the patterns that

Ulster used in attack. You have to feel sorry for Paul Marshall

missing the game today. He has played 64 games in a row, he tells

was doing there. L welcome penalty at the break down for Ulster.

Willie Faloon doing well to get in behind, then the cavalry arrives.

Ulster thrive on quality possession from the breakdown. Once they are

denied that it becomes very difficult to get their patterns

moving. They will be very keen to get three points on the scoreboard.

That looks like it could be an Achilles strain. I hope it is

portent of things to come? Their one chance and they failed to take

it. You just feel that Ulster needs some time and possession into right

parts of the pitch. Up to nine it has been pretty much defence for

the all 23 minutes and that will start to take its toll later in the

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Ulster try. Has he got across the line! Johann Muller has never

scored for his adopted Provence before. If he has got in, what a

score this could be! Ulster play best when the play with width. That

was clever work by Paddy Wallace to release Johann Muller. Certainly

the crowd think they have got a nick. Johann Muller Gotz in. I

think the initial grounding was OK. Was he in control? Peter Ferguson,

the television official, is having a good look at this. The question

is, when it was initially grounded, was it over the line? It looks like

he was in control for the first grounding. This will be a tough

call. He released, but was it over the line? He has been so close over

the last couple of seasons to scoring a try. All he needs is a

fingertip on it. A I am not altogether sure. You may award the

drive. They try has been awarded! Ulster are back in this game. So,

having watched Ruan Pienaar miss the penalty, Johann Muller has

scored his very first Ulster try, and what it's time to do it!

think that was an attacking advantage being played there, and

rightfully so. Ulster will be very happy that with their limited

possession they have created a Skype - created at try-scoring

conversion and a missed penalty. What a lovely piece of slide it

hands - S sleight of hand by Willie Faloon. That was lovely stuff. A

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lovely little basketball style pass elegant kick of this season, but he

found his touch. He has been a very good be short term by, hasn't he?

He has certainly brought all that experience with them and the

solidity he has at the back. He has had an impact both on the pitch and

off the field. He has fitted into the Ulster culture very well.

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Cullen being told by the referee to yet again at the breakdown. Pedrie

Wannenburg I think is the culprit. They are going to go for the posts.

I'm sure Ulster have been thinking all week about trying to slow down

the possession for Leinster. Leinster are so dangerous when they

start to recycle the ball quickly. Ulster are doing their best to slow

them down, but it is costing them penalties. Pedrie Wannenburg not

making sufficient effort to get out of the way. So, Jonny Sexton with

an early conversion. He has 29 Alan caps and the World Cup behind him.

The prospect of a Lions' Tour - Lions' Tour next year, but the

Sexton. So, had Ulster landed the two kicks they had missed, it would

be 10 points apiece, but it is not. Leinster will probably feel the

scoreline is a more accurate reflection of the possession and

it. Such a pity because there was a great chance for Ulster. Craig

Gilroy is down on one knee. I wonder if he needs attention?

think she got a knock in the back of their head there. I think she

seems to be fine. Bright sunlight coming out from the old stand side

of the park. Paddy Wallace has got a bit of a bang. The doctor is on,

just checking if there is any problem. That is the last thing

Ulster needs. He has been forced into a very heavy defensive

workload. The Ospreys at Swansea our leading The Dragons by 10

points to six. The Ospreys are maintaining their challenge for a

semi-final place. The other two places are probably going to beat

Munster and the Ospreys, with Ulster battling out for the 4th

place, but the need to win this game tonight. A scrummage for

far side. That call was from the assistant. Declan Fitzpatrick taken

down the scrummage. Well, if they could get a good 45 minutes out of

Declan Fitzpatrick next week that would solve a lot of problems.

is the theory behind the selection tonight. They just want to see if

he has enough running in his legs for him to be a viable option next

week. By at is a beautiful kick by Jonny Sexton. Almost up to the

Ulster's ten-metre line. Ulster have only won one not out of 16 of

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the last meeting between these two foot, but it will be an Ulster

through. You can see the urgency that Leinster have won there in

possession and stop when the ball carrier hits they ruck area, there

are always two players behind him. That means that there was a

constant pressure on the opposition. I think Paddy Wallace is going to

go off. The doctor is having a word with the referee. Paddy Wallace has

got a bit of the pomp and he has not 100 %. If it is concussion,

that means you might not play for a while. He is just a bit wobbly.

Knowing Paddy Wallace, he would not be going off unless it was

change. They need to have all of their top players available. I do

not think it was that incident that brought the problem, I think it was

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quick one. Luke Fitzgerald was not involved at all. A Andrew Trimble

exerting himself on the leads the team. Once the penalty was given,

making a further point to the referee. Ulster Creek another 10

pitch. It will be interesting to see how a Ulster reshuffle. Will

they be for Stefan Terblanche or Andrew Trimble into the centre? I

think they will move Andrew Trimble. Andrew Trimble making a pest of

himself. Andrew Trimble will probably be into the number 13

jersey. He making -- but he was making a nuisance of himself at the

breakdown. That rivalry between him and his international colleagues

the interval, they would be a lot educated right foot off Jonathan

Sexton, getting Leinster out of trouble. More than 400 league

points in 16 appearances, five tries. The rain is lashing down, it

looks like a freak shower, but it will have a major effect on the

playing surface and the ball and the handling of the ball. Paddy

Wallace looking disconsolate. Ulster have lost two of their

frontline players, with the Heineken Cup semi-final a week

because it is very slippery. They One in the side, which I presume

was Cian Healy. Good, tight forward play. Pedrie Wannenburg will be

missed, because he has done that splendidly. He has not held himself

back, he has always given 100%. Carrying bad ball into heavy

traffic, he goes upright into traffic, but he has got the

experience to roll around the corner, and he always tends to get

the ball back. A lot of yards the level of crowd noise. It is all

He missed with two, so one out of three. The gap is closed to just a

couple of points. Ulster will be very happy with their defensive

effort. You look at the game against Munster in the Heineken Cup,

they have to defend for huge passages of time, and they have had

to do it again in this half, but looking at the scoreboard, they

22, so the knock-on effect was that it was kicked directly into touch,

which has given leads to the line- out. Leinster were lucky to pick up

some points before the interval. -- Leinster will look to pick up some

points. Ulster will be happy enough with the scoreboard, but if

Leinster can get points now, it will swing the momentum back their

way. Kevin McLoughlin has filled them in the second row for Leinster

their hands away. There are, dear. -- oh, dear. He did tell them, and

that is three points that they did not be to give away. They could

have done without that. It came from the error in judgment of

kicking the ball out, it has come back to haunt them, with the three

points looking likely. All of Ulster's penalties have been given

away at the breakdown. The referee has told them often enough, so if

they do it, it is their own fault. Willie Faloon, his last game that

Ravenhill. He is off to join his former colleagues with Connacht

next season. We wish him well. His 60th game for all staff -- for

Ulster. There should be the last act of a decent first half of rugby,

dominated by Leinster in terms of possession. Yes, Jonathan Sexton

will not miss that. He makes no mistake. Another three points. He

has got eight of their points so far. For Ulster, the first

Ravenhill try, converted by Ruan Pienaar. Given the statistics, they

lost in possession and territory, they defended well to hold them to

that scoreline, but you wonder how much that has taken out of them,

and whether they can replicate the defensive effort in the second half.

Not much between them. I wonder if we will see some changes for Ulster

It is what we expected, a competitive, hard-fought Irish

Derby. Leinster sliced Ulster opened too easily, then Ulster lost

Chris Henry and Paddy Wallace, but the captain led by example, a

Johann Muller Westlink his way over. Jonathan Sexton and Ruan Pienaar

traded penalties. But at the break, Leinster League, 13-8. -- Leinster

Let's get the reaction of a World Frustration would be an

understatement? Yes, it was disappointing, but I have got to

make sure I use the next few weeks well. You are very experienced,

what could bring to the team off the pitch? Doing a lot of homework

for them. I am not playing, so I can do a lot of work for the teams

that are coming up. I am working with the young guys, giving them

tips. A couple of key men off injured, what have you made of the

first half? It is not great to lose a couple of boys, but it is a tough

game, it always will be against Leinster. We have got to make sure

we can get points every time. you ready for the Heineken Cup

file? I think the boys will do well next week, I am doing training, so

I am a good forward to it. -- I am To Leinster deserved the lead?

not know, they were lucky with a couple of kicks. The scoreline

should be slightly different, 11-10 would have been a better reflection.

Leinster looked threatening, but Ulster got themselves back into the

game, and they are getting back on top defensive play. The weather has

been a leveller. Defensively, at times, that has been their weakness,

and they will be disappointed with the soft score early on. We started

slowly. Leads to get a slight ankle in the scrum. -- leads they get a

slight angle. What leads to do well, they've recycle the ball quickly. A

couple of faces. The defence has not been good earlier in the season,

but if we think about the Munster match, it was outstanding. The ball

was coming at pace, that is where Leinster are phenomenal, European

champions, because they played the game the way they are born to play.

That is how they started, they looked threatening, but Ulster have

come into the game. They moved closer to the Leinster try liner.

Johann Muller with a good score. Yes, a nice touch from Paddy

Wallace. He makes the pass, but he also does enough to take Luke

Fitzgerald out of the equation. Johann Muller has done well to

carry two men over. You can see Paddy Wallace make the past. He

just does enough with Luke Fitzgerald. A lot of hard work,

Johann Muller has done a lot of good work. What have you made of

Paddy Jackson tonight, a big night for him? A massive night, he has

answered every question. He has looked a very slick with the ball.

Whenever we have been able to generate some ball, he has done

well. He is physical, he got bogged off, he gets back onto his feet. He

rides the tackle, he still made a beautiful pass. He is developing.

If he gets more ball in the hand, he is a tasty player, he makes the

With having Ruan Pienaar at No. 9, he has the luxury of having a

world-class man inside him, as well. If Ulster can generate some more

from football in the second half, he is deadly in a broken field

situation. His feet are very fast. This guy is only 20! And highly

regarded by arrogance, as well. has proved himself at that level

time and time again. If ever we thought that this game didn't

matter, Brian O'Driscoll and Andrew Trimble had a little dust up. Well,

not really but you know what I mean. The this matters to these guys. You

can't play these games at half speed. For a load of backs, but was

quite a dust up! So, this is Brian McLaughlan's last game in charge at

Ravenhill, but it is also the last game at Ravenhill for Pedrie

Wannenburg, the popular South African. We caught up with him this

week as he gets ready to call time on his Ulster career. Great run by

Pedrie Wannenburg gets across the line! It is not a nice feeling to

statuette the pitch on the moment. That is part of life. As a

professional rugby player to move around a bit. It is sad for me. I

can't say anything else, it is just sad for me. The first time I

arrives in here was 2005. I have enjoyed every single moment of it.

The crowd, singing the Ulster song. My first-born baby was born here,

so will always be a special place. I will always come back and visit.

When I came here, I always wanted to win a trophy. I think we can

still do that. Last year we lost in the semi-final, and light are still

going on. Hopefully I can go away with at least one piece of

silverware! He is a really good friend and we have known him for a

long time. I actually went to school with him. He has been

absolutely brilliant. I think the supporters would agree he so much

to the Ulster squad and team on the field. He will be missed in the

To play over 50 games in two seasons is a fantastic achievement.

Nobody could say that he hasn't played his part. I am sad to see in

- I am glad to see him going, but hopefully he will come back and

visit us. You never know, we may play against him in the next couple

of seasons! Good luck to him. That will remember him as the guy who

came might and give 100 %. It is tough, but hopefully people could

see that I played the jersey with pride every time I went on to the

We get the chance to say hello to a special visit to tonight. How did

this flying visit to Ulster rugby come about tonight? I am not quite

sure. We were on our way to England today, myself and Caroline. I knew

this match was going on and she said to me, how far is it from

London to Belfast? I said, maybe 45 minutes. She said, well, do you

want to go for the night? I said, perfect! We're just here for the

night to watch the boys. Hopefully we can get a win and get some

confidence going for the semi-final next week. So, you're at Newbury

today and you met the Queen! Yes, we did, we met the Queen. It has

been a hectic day! That was a great experience. Caroline have met you

before, but I hadn't. I had to learn to read that the kid and made

sure I said the right things. It was a great experience. I didn't

expect due to be on until the Irish Open. It must be nice to get back

to see some of your good friends here tonight. I haven't seen these

boys since Christmas. It will be great to catch up with them after

the match, may be going for a bite to eat. Early flight tomorrow?

Caroline is playing in Stuttgart next week, so she has got practice

at 10 o'clock in the morning. It will be an early flight in the

morning. If that is the life of sporting superstars! A couple of

big championships coming up? fled back to the States on Monday

to do a week's practice there to get ready for two big tournaments,

quill hollow and then the Players' Championship after that, then back

for Wentworth, then back over to America to get ready for the US

Open. It will be a busy stretch. How much are you looking forward to

defending the US Open? It would be nice to win it, and if not me,

Graeme McDowell or Darren Clarke. It is always great to go back to

defend a title. To be able to defend a major is pretty special.

Hopefully I could give it a good run. It was disappointed by what

happened at the Masters. I know you always keep a close watch on what

is happening to Ulster rugby. You watched the big win against Munster

before your final round of the Masters? I did. I remember watching

its last year against Northampton and we got beaten. It was a great

performance to get through against Munster. Hope lit the play well

against Edinburgh next week. I think they can win tonight.

Hopefully there will be able to play a bit more rugby now the

weather has cleared up. I think Ulster could overturn it. Thank you

so much. Great to have you here. It is time to rejoin Jim Neilly and

What a life, let spot over to Belfast and watch a bit of rugby

before heading off to Stuttgart. What a life! It does help if you

are supremely talented, of course. I am just saying that there are

going to be any changes in the Leinster side. Johann Muller leads

crowds the Ulster side. Ulster lost Chris Henry first of all and then

Paddy Wallace in the first half. A converted try would see Ulster get

themselves into the lead. There is the man who was featured in a

little half-time film. Best wishes from us to him for his new France -

for his new life in France. We will accurate, but it is a Leinster

knocked forwards and the first scrum of the second half will go to

the men in white. Luke Fitzgerald has been in very good form, so he

will be very disappointed that he was left out of the World Cup squad.

He has reacted in the best way, by channelling that frustration into

his game and he is coming back to his best. The same thing happen to

Tommy Bowe when he got left out, Leinster got on the squeeze. If

you... you think that if Ulster get the first points, Ulster will

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Again, Ulster Defence up to the task at this stage. Leinster are

becoming a bit frustrated and are looking to kick to try to get

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was touched by Luke Fitzgerald first of all, then Brian O'Driscoll

got it in an offside position. I think the referee got that one

right. I think he is saying that it came off an Ulster hand. He may

well be right. Not that I would wish to argue with Brian O'Driscoll,

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he may well be right. That was not everywhere! He is determined to go

out on a high. That must be the 5th time that Ulster has given away

possession at the breakdown. But very encouraging from an Ulster

prospective that passage of play. It looked as if they were really

building something from that period of play, but unfortunately it is a

pressure relieving penalty for Leinster. Jonny Sexton just ambles

over to pick up the ball, not in have had another bite at it. He got

his first cap 10 years ago, against France. He won his last against New

Zealand in 2007. He was capped 20 think somebody is getting some

the interval. Just going through the recycled possession. Once again,

through the phases. Ulster have not had enough attacking opportunity to

go through the phases and built themselves. I have not heard Darren

Cave be mentioned in an attacking context, that is how well Leinster

have controlled possession. It is a farewell to Ravenhill in this

capacity for Brian McLaughlin. He has been in charge for three years,

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and Ulster have made steady a Ulster scrum. Eoin Reddan

protesting, but he knocked it forward. Built and the pressure on

Ulster. They are enjoying the five point margin. Pedrie Wannenburg

receiving attention. Eoin Reddan is in perfect position, which allows

them to get on the front foot. Brian O'Driscoll taking the acute

angle, hold nothing back. Darren Cave has tackled very well for two.

A tremendous asset, both in the organisation and the execution of

the tackle. The referee has had a word with Andrew Trimble and Fergus

doing that with delightful regularity from a Ulster

The scoreboard not troubled since the interval. I have just got the

thumbs-up from behind may from Martin Grogan -- from behind me. He

was involved in a scrappy last week. Pedrie Wannenburg is going off.

That is not the way he would have wished to have left the field, if

that is the run to be the case. With a Heineken Cup tomorrow week,

Ulster have lost three frontline players, and if there is any worry,

they are going to take them off straight away. Neil McComb will be

keen to come on. He will find himself in the back row. Pedrie

Wannenburg has played his last game here for Ulster at Ravenhill, but

not, we hope, his last game for Ulster. He says, thank you. The

It is getting a bit fractious. Johann Muller said he did not hear

the whistle. He plays hard, but he plays there. There is no reason to

doubt that is what happened. Adam D'Arcy in with the tackle. Leinster

do not want to lose the game, because there is the prospect of

these teams playing each other twice more before the end of this

season, perhaps once in the Heineken Cup final and once in the

League final. Leinster will not want to relinquish the dominance

Mike Ross and Tom Court. Declan Fitzpatrick against Cian Healy. He

has now played 50 minutes, Declan Fitzpatrick, which is longer than a

lot of people expected, but he seems to be enjoying it. He is

desperate to be back in contention properly, taking Tom Court's arm.

Declan Fitzpatrick did a good job against Cian Healy. I was impressed

by his scrum. Ruan Pienaar wants to go for the posts. The infringement

on the other side. I expect Ulster management will say, we have seen

enough, Declan Fitzpatrick. I think they will bring him off. Pedrie

Wannenburg thanking decried for their support over the two years he

has been in the Ulster shirt. Macklin is warming up. Declan

Fitzpatrick... Adam Macklin will come on. In the meantime, Tom Court

is talking to the referee. This is crucial. Ruan Pienaar did not have

the best of good luck with his opening two attempts, the penalty

and the conversion of Johann Muller's try. He is a long-range

specialist, but this is at the edge field, Ulster have had to make

three changes because of injury, they have lost Chris Henry, Paddy

playing himself into the No. 10 shirt for the Aviva Stadium

tomorrow week? He is giving himself every opportunity, playing

advantage, so he needs to take a high risk option. The Perfect

Execution to take it to the five- digging in. Eoin Reddan hooks it

into touch to give Ulster the advantage at the line-out. Adam

Macklin waiting to come on. Ulster will be loath to change anything at

this stage. There is Adam Macklin. He is 22 years old, the former

destruction. Lewis Stephenson the man singled out by the referee.

Jonathan Sexton will be relieved to interesting call. Declan

Fitzpatrick has gone off the field. He has had 55, 56 minutes of pretty

productive rugby. If he can scrummage like that against

Leinster, you would fancy him to start in the absence of his team-

mate against -- in the Heineken Cup next week. Could he deliver after

being out for so long? He has certainly answer back. -- answered

the ball early, there is no point isolating yourself so the pass is

not available. He still has the pace off the mark. That put him in

the clear. He realised that Ruan Pienaar would have obstructed him,

so an early delivery, slightly behind Fergus McFadden, but he will

be disappointed not to have caught that. Leinster will make a change.

There is the man himself, he has played virtually no rugby, he

missed the entire Six Nations. Isaac Boss is going to come on,

Shane Jennings is about to come on, No. 17. Heinke van der Merwe there

is, gone to take on Adam Macklin. There is the once kept South

African, now 26 years of age. Paddy Jackson gets some running repairs.

His father was a great store what, as were his two on course. -- two

was on his feet. He did a wonderful acro props. -- back row job. He is

one of the few players who can say he probably have redefined the way

his position was viewed and played, he has the ability over the ball. A

perfectly timed pass from Darren Cave, Brian O'Driscoll tackles and

he is over the ball, contesting, such great strength and technique.

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He has brought that accepts -- that Leinster. Ulster are posing more

questions to the Leinster defensive line than they were doing in the

first half. Once again, and Brian O'Driscoll at the heart of things.

come on, and Andy Kyriacou. That will be an entirely new front row.

With ball in hand is a Isaac Boss, did take it quickly. Tom Court and

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Cronin has come on. Shane Jennings outside players just a little bit

too enthusiastic, overrunning the ball player just when Ulster was

starting to get a bit of momentum. Lewis Stephenson just overran the

past. They were taking their alignment off Paddy McAllister, and

when it went behind him that led to the bit shallow. We are into the

final quarter of this game. There is the confirmation of the

replacements. So, Sean Cronin and Shane Jennings on. Leinster's

started the game with 12 internationals on the pitch and

another five on the bench. Leinster have the luxury of the depth of

squad that allows them to compete on different fronts. Leinster will

be trying for the double, which they missed out on last year.

still there for Ulster it they can get possession. Adam Macklin

penalised. Taking down the outside arm of his opposite number, Heinke

van der Merwe of a. Paddy McCallister and Adam Macklin are

the future of Ulster front row forward play. That was an

effortless strike by Jonny Sexton. That is a rather nasty looking

scratch Jonny Sexton has on his neck. It was staying in the shower,

but that's about it. Just be careful where you put the

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Carney did some illegal tackling in the air, but not so. I think it

will be a scrummage... no, it is a line-out. Nothing wrong with that.

It came off an Ulster man. certainly some contact made when

Craig Gilroy. He wasn't expecting that to come to him. Leinster will

fancy their chances from this position. Enough of the blind side

for this to be a concern for Ulster. Leinster will try to attack through

the scrum. Ulster have made a lot of changes in the forwards, the

entire front row. Two men have gone from the back row. If Leinster

secure good possession from the set-piece, it could well be the

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snapped that. He knew were he was, almost directly underneath the

crossbar. Back could put on the tin hat from a Leinster prospective.

Leinster happy enough to develop a cushioned beyond the magic eight

points. Rob Carney is going off. Ulster are outside losing bonus

touch. And little bit of inaccuracy by the normally completely accurate

Isaac Boss. The highlight of his career was playing for Ireland's at

the World Cup in New Zealand in front of his mum and dad. He was a

wonderful character as well as a player for Ulster. Ian Porter comes

on. He hasn't played for a long time. He has come on for Ruan

from the side. Do we go into the corner? They have to, don't they?

You s, and it. Margin. I don't think a losing bonus point is going

to matter a lot. I unless Glasgow lose their last two games, and I

don't think they're going to do that, are they? There is the

Fingers crossed that the senior Ulster players who have left the

straight. Johann Muller is furious. Andi Kyriacou knew that wasn't

sprayed the moment it left his hand. Ulster disappointed. You have to

feel when they rested the likes of Stephen Ferris and Rory Best, they

have shown where their priorities lie for this season. No John Afoa,

Stephen Ferris, Rory Best, Dan Tuohy. John Afoa will be available

again for their Heineken Cup game lift the most senior trophy in 1999.

The referee is starting to lose his get penalised. Willie Faloon came

in illegally with his foot. That was a serious chance for Ulster.

That was the best Ulster scrum of the evening. Leinster losing

concentration for once. Away by remarkable season for them. This

will mean that Leinster has won all six games against Ulster - against

they have got to be applauded by the way they have Brad Pitt this

evening. They have been edged out in certain areas, the penalty count

has been unacceptably high. But they will take the experience into

next weekend in Dublin. If they have a full starting 15, it could

Leinster. Ulster will have to run it here. Deep in their own

territory, though. It feels they have been in Leinster territory for

the most of the half, but they have not been able to break it down.

Ulster are still showing the desperation in the dying minutes

player, Adam Macklin, the young tight-head prop. His 20th

appearance. He has had a bank in the back of the neck. It is not a

place you want to be hurt if you are a tight-head prop. He has

played four Heineken Cup games, he scored a try against the Italian

expression might be! Ulster's scrum. He is looking to see where Paddy

illegally so. Hanging on to the tackle. That must be panel to

number eight or nine at the breakdown given away by Ulster. --

penalty number eight or nine. referee had shown a fair amount of

tolerance, but Leinster have shown their ability to contest for the

ball. It is that that has resulted in so many penalties in their

favour. That was Ian Madigan. But what Stefan Terblanche, tackled by

Brian O'Driscoll. You can -- you have to release immediately, and I

am not sure he did. The referee got last week against Edinburgh.

Another Ulster scrum. Six foot 10 inches tall, Devin Toner, the

tallest ever Irish international. Ulster will make another

replacement, Ian Humphreys is coming on, Andrew Trimble, with a

view to next week, is leaving. Maybe he will go to Number Ten and

Paddy Jackson were there to inside centre and Darren Cave will move to

outside centre. It is a bit like chess. A lot of versatility, to be

able to shift positions. That is the attacking formation they have

taken. As they left the field after their warm-up, Ian Humphreys was

talking to Paddy Jackson, giving him some words of encouragement.

That supervise him. -- that is typical of him. It is another great

kick from Patrick Jackson. David Humphreys would have been proud of

that one! Has Paddy Jackson played himself into the starting 15 for

next week? His execution and kicking have been exceptional. I

would have loved to have seen him with some from football, because

that is his real strength, but there are not too many crosses

against his name, and he will feel hard done by if he is not in the

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of anxiety in their play. Willie Faloon should have hung on to that,

but the temptation is always there to keep it going. They need a

converted try to get things moving forward. On a number of occasions,

in attacking positions, they have turned over possession, and that

has led to their undoing, and the school board reflects that. --

scoreboard. It looks like a Leinster's grip over their rivals,

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Gilroy. This will be the last set- piece of the game. The referee said

there would scrum. It has been an error-strewn performance by both

teams in the second half. Perhaps they are looking to next week and

the anticipation of what that entails. I do not know that Ulster

will be unhappy, if they can get everybody fit. They will not be too

unhappy. They will be disappointed with the way the league season has

turned out, because this will be blows his whistle. Leinster have

beaten Ulster again. Ulster have only won once in the last 17

encounters. It is great to see Brian O'Driscoll back at Ravenhill,

and long may he has great presence graced this ground. Well done to

Leinster, they came in having topped the table, and having

guaranteed themselves a home semi- final, and they have secured that.

Johann Muller will be pleased with his tinged -- with his try. Stefan

Terblanche will be pleased with his stay at Ulster here. It is on to

European Cup rugby next week. Well done to cure the McLaughlan and

Adam Macklin. Will Ulster be up or down after this? They will shift

their focus quickly. They had to play this game, it demonstrated

that Lens they can cope with missing key personnel better than

Ulster -- Leinster. They had the depth in the squad, they had the

intensity in the first 30 minutes. Let's hope we will see lots of

those flags at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow week. I have a feeling

that is the end of Ulster's We have been watching, it is that

as tough a match as Leinster have had this season? Yes, it has been

very physical, we can see the body language, it has been a tough

encounter. I hope some of Ulster's injuries are OK for next week, but

it gives them a lot of confidence, it did not quite happen tonight,

they conceded a soft try. A lot of positives for them for next week.

At the breakdown in particular, they were very physical. After the

initial 10 or 15 minutes, they increased the intensity. Some big

performances. Johann Muller Kok the man-of-the-match, but Paddy Jackson

that very composed. Let's hear from You will take a lot from that

performance? Yes and No. There cannot question the commitment, but

it is all about basics, the small things, and we let ourselves down

in those areas. We lost a couple of crucial line-outs. That is the

difference between winning and losing. A lovely try. That does not

happen very often! Once every 10 years! Disappointed with the result.

To or you concerned about the injuries? There is always a concern,

it is part of the game. We will assess them and hopefully we can

put a full squad up at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday. Has the lead

gone? Possibly. It has possibly How big a toll will the injuries

have? They are not looking in good shape. Potentially very serious,

Chris Henry is on crutches. We need them there, we do not have the

strength in depth to take us through. For a lot of them, it

might be precautionary. Paddy is the most serious, but seven days