Ulster v Leinster Ulster Rugby Live

already this season, first at home... And then away, for the first

time in 14 years. It was pretty clear to see what that victory

meant. Leinster's Brian O'Driscoll missed both games but he plays today

in what is the coaches last match in charge and his opposite number, Mark

Anscombe, is searching for silverware in his first season at

the helm. It's the final of the Pro12 Ulster versus Leinster, live

from the RDS in Dublin and Ulster are trying to win their first trophy

since lifting the Celtic league in 2006 and even though this is

Leinster's home ground, Ulster are in the strange position of being the

host team after finishing in the top spot. They could have sold this came

at a couple of times and for thousands of Ulster lucky Ulster

fans, they are soaking up the atmosphere from early this morning,

here to see if they can beat Leinster three times in a row this

season. Three out of three! Hat-trick. Yes, 100% yes. I will

take one point when! Perfect weather and the perfect day for a result.

will be difficult but they have worked hard all season. The first

time in seven years where we could lift the trophy, and today is the

day. Massive Ulster contingent, we going to do this. It is a full house

and what an atmosphere building for this Rabo Direct Pro12 final. Good

evening and welcome to the RDS in Dublin, on an absolutely glorious

Evening post joining me for this big occasion are two former European cup

winners with Ulster, and cunning ham and Tony McWhirter. The best teams

in the league, perfect weather, it is a perfect recipe for a very good

final? The page is in fantastic condition and as you said, large to

support, and the allocation was 50-50 and they are making themselves

heard. Their first trophy in seven years and their third win over

Leinster this year and Ulster -- Leinster are going for the double.

High emotions for both teams for many reasons and it will be about

managing the big occasion. It will add for Leinster it is twofold, the

fact they have been unable to secure the double after three bytes,

winning in Europe and the domestic league and they will be looking to

that today. And they have departing players, Sexton was instrumental in

previous years and Isa Nacewa, there best overseas signing. And Ulster

have a couple of highly emotional charges, they want silverware, they

had the disappointment of Saracens in the quarter-final and earlier on

they made that pledge to play the rest of the season in respect to the

tragedy of Nevin Spence and his family. It is a repeat of last

year's Heineken Cup Final and Ulster were outclassed. But they are ready

need at what this week to pass you by. -- you do not want the week to

pass you by. We have joyed -- enjoyed the fun and we cannot just a

solely focused on 80 minutes, we have to enjoy everything that comes

with the final and you don't get very many. As players it is all

other silverware. We have had a great season and have done some

great things and there have been upside down is but you get judged on

trophies. It will be a shame to let this go to waste. The players know

how much this means. We will be fully geared up for this. We have

the power to cause the upset, it will be the 50-50 split tickets and

there will be a great crowd behind us. They are the number one seed in

Europe and is a reason, they have won trophies for five years, it is

up to us. We have shown twice this season if we turn up and perform, we

can beat them and we are very confident of that again. If Ulster

are doing today, it is going to have to be a big day for the big-name

experienced players? Yes, this is all about rising to the big occasion

and obviously they have had two disappointments, the final of the

Heineken Cup last year and the quarter-final loss to Saracens. You

don't get any bigger than this, the atmosphere is amazing and the senior

players and the boys coming in, they have to make a big performance

today. If we look at the team, it is pretty much at full strength?

we have a huge effort from the front five, Robbie Diack and the one-man

wrecking machine, Williams, and he is vitally important, he gets the

ball in hand but can generate the forward all. Mark Anscombe arrived

in Northern Ireland last summer and as he find it, he is a no-nonsense,

strip talking Kiwi. This is his assessment of Ulster and what they

need to do today. -- straight talking. What has to be the strength

of this team is you have to allow them to make decisions and I try to

encourage the guys to be part of the decision-making and knowing what we

want to do and how to do it because a big game like this, they have to

be making good decisions under pressure. If we are giving them too

much direction, they will have to be comfortable so it is important we

develop that side of the game. We have spent a lot of time together,

there is not a lot we need to be talking about, I think we can look

back, no matter the result, and say we have achieved a lot this year. We

have only lost six games out of 30. We won the pool in the Heineken Cup

and became first, a lot of good things have happened and when you

consider the injuries, 48 guys have played for us this year solidifying

the season as unsuccessful as we do not win would be pretty harsh and

that is what people do. --, so to define this season as unsuccessful.

I am proud of the organisation and where we are going, the factors, we

are comfortable with what we are putting it and we have to go out and

do our job. We know all about this Leinster team and is just experience

right through from 15 all the way through to number one? Cian Healy is

the main ball-carrier, the modern-day prop, powerful and

dynamic and one disappointment will be losing Sean O'Brien, he was very

influential. Jamie Heaslip has come to the fore and you have Sexton,

O'Driscoll and Kearney, the three guys going out with the Lions.

is a team, if you give them lots of ball, they can do lots of damage,

one of the best entertaining teams in Europe? They are lethal, the

attack from the first phase and scored tries, they have got a

backline with power and pace but what they like to do as well as

getting forwards involved is once they move the ball wide, when they

come back in, they get the ball in hand and tried to play 15 man rugby.

The Leinster coach certainly knows all about winning, he has delivered

three European trophies in his time at Leinster, including one from one

week ago and before he takes the ardent job, he was to finish with a

final flourish so he will have to stop Ulster beating Leinster for the

third time this season. It will take a fair amount of commitment from the

lads to stop the big key ball-carrier is and they have

carried very well this season. Particularly Nick Williams. Even

getting those wingers into the game, they have done well. The set pieces

have been very strong so we have to be very combative at set piece time

and Havelock. Howard again boost is to have Ryan O'Driscoll? Great, he

has not played either of those games so it is a nice thing to be able to

bring in somebody new who adds value and someone who creates confusion in

defence of quarters I look the same time giving us clarity. Best of

luck. Time to hear from a man who knows all about winning with Ulster

and with Ireland, he is on the pitch with Gavin Andrews. Andy Ward and

Keith Wood are with us. Is this the day with Ulster will look to

experienced heads? They have to, they have to go to those big eyes

and speaking to them, they are very nervous, if they are nervous, if

they can turn that into a positive, Ulster need those big players.

Ulster have not delivered on the big day, Heineken Cup Final lustre and

the quarter-final this year, is this the day to deliver? They have not

delivered in the past but they were not at that level for long enough.

One year further on and there were hurt by losing last year so this is

a very big day and it might be one step too far. Brian O'Driscoll,

there. That is a huge boost? He is the man who has delivered

consistently. Leinster are used to winning big finals but not used to

winning Rabo Direct finals, this is where they suffer and it hurts them

as much as Ulster losing last year. It is one of those delicately poised

once. Prediction?Leinster by three points but listen to this noise!

This is the reason they want to play. You know where I am going!

Ulster all the way. Back to Stephen. What an incredible atmosphere! It is

hard to hear ourselves in here. will be exciting stuff, it will be a

massive opening five minutes. The intensity will be huge, besides

going at this hammer and tongs. Ulster traditionally have not

started well and it is crucial in that opening ten minutes that they

stand up. You can feel the tension. You can and it was interesting

chatting to the Ulster -- Leinster boys and they said, we are in those

are we changing rooms and you never know, those first opening minutes,

they might be sitting in this changing rooms, thinking, why are

they there? Ulster have not played at the RDS in an atmosphere like

this with such big travelling support? Probably not that they have

lots of season internationals and they have played with bigger crowds,

it is the colour, the white and blue, that contrast and we are

situated under the old stand. It is like being back at Ravenhill.

Ulster need to win today to show that they have made real progress?

think they do, it is all about performance but to pick up with

Jill, Nick Williams is the go-to player, he offloads the tackle,

Ulster have to overthink Leinster, they have to do something different

and they have to show they have tricks up their sleeve and if they

can do that, they might break down this Leinster defence. Thank you

very much, Leinster looking for their first elusive league final

success. Ulster searching for their first silverware in seven years.

Enjoy this Bible is an occasion in the company of Ryan Constable and

northern hemisphere and world rugby, on show today. John Afoa on the

front row. Robbie Diack begins his 13th game in the last 14 and Johann

Muller skippers Ulster for the 50th time. Same backline for Ulster.

Tommy Bell, Jared Payne, off to Hong Kong with the Barbarians. Golding,

Darren Cave and Andrew Trimble, off to North America with Ireland.

Leinster welcome back Cian Healy and strives to the front row with Leo

Cullen to the second row and with Sean O'Brien injured, Kevin

McLaughlin returns to the back row. It is an international pack. Brian

O'Driscoll, back for Leinster. The only change behind the scrum. Fergus

McFadden moves to the wing. And for a well to Dublin for Isa Nacewa.

Ulster have more strength on the replacement bench. Every

international's. With just two of them on the Leinster bench. John

secured possession. That little bit of space filled almost automatically

Simple errors can cost Ulster. A lively start, the noise quite

amazing. You look at the physical intensity that will be brought to

bear on this game. Both teams have the road motivations. It is the team

that channels that nervous energy into a disciplined but brutal

performance that will come out victorious. That has really punished

Ulster in terms of possession and territory. A little error of

judgement and Ulster have conceded the perfect platform to Leinster.

Leinster arrived in much better Something is being brought to the

referee's attention. The noise is extraordinary here. A good start by

Ulster, winning the kick-off, but it couple of minutes. Jennings has got

it. One of 15 internationals in this Leinster side and he gets the

opening try and, again, it came from an Ulster mistake. They need to keep

their heads in this pressured atmosphere. That was clinical.

Exactly the start that Leinster would have wanted. It has ignited

their crowd and silenced Ulster, points on the board early. There are

about four parts to every line-out. Jennings knew exactly where he was

going, one-handed, got the ball down and Leinster delighted to be in the

lead after only three minutes. a Leinster team that is Harry

comfortable with this rotation policy that has been employed

throughout Joe Schmidt's tenure. wasn't quite the delightful set

piece move that started off their win against bad Francais -- Stade de

Francais. That is a belter. A week ago against the French side they

were 7-0 up within the opening minutes and it is exactly the same

against Ulster. Leinster have been in a rich vein of form and winning

becomes a habit. This is business as probably the best overseas signing

their third. The skipper is going to be spoken to, I think. The assistant

referees are feeding a lot of information into the main referee.

Ulster are infringing on a number of occasions, Leinster allowed to

establish field position and go to the line-out with the towering

height of Toner. What another belting touch and again Ulster are

in a decent position. -- Ulster were in a decent position and now find

themselves uncomfortably close to warning. Sort it out, have a word,

please. Johann Muller has been told to have a word with his team. We

were wondering what Eason is they were was doing wearing number 15. --

Isa Nacewa. Andrew Conway is coming on the left wing wearing number 11.

Ulster will be acutely aware they will need to sort out their

discipline problems, a ten point margin could have built up very

quickly with these kicks keep coming Two out of two for Sexton. All

smiles for Leinster. Seven and a half minutes gun and they are 10-0

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secure that for Leinster. -- six scrum carried over by Leinster.

bit of a speculative option under pressure there. Ulster now have some

field position. They have not been in possession. Boss did bring well

to salvage that for Leinster. -- loose-head for the Lions. Huge noise

from the Ulster contingent. Do not heavier in the pack, about �3 a man,

but it is all about technique. -- because Ulster did not put the ball

in quickly enough. Tom Court and Mike Ross are former Ireland

get penalised for collapsing the scrum. It is a farewell out from the

post. Will Ulster go for another scrummage? I would not be surprised.

They have. They are looking for more than just the three points. They are

looking to profit more from that perceived dominance in the scrum.

Tom Court was trying to drive forward. Ulster secured a somewhat

controversial penalty try in the first encounter between these two

sides in the Pro12 proper at Ravenhill. Good Ulster scrum. Again

Ulster get the penalty. That looked impressive by Ulster. Look at that

body position from John Afoa, getting underneath his man, strength

to get back up. Ulster will no doubt go for a scrum. Third reset, one

more and the referee will have two consider his options. As we

mentioned at the beginning, the word from Twickenham was the Dylan

Hartley has been red carded for serious verbal abuse. I wonder what

kind of sanction that will bring. Good squeeze by Ulster, one double

body position by John Afoa. Great recovery by Leinster. That was

Ulster's ball for the taking and Leinster looked like a side who

wanted a bit more. Put into touch by Ian Madigan. All of that pressure

has not created anything. They will be disappointed because they were

dominant moving forward in the scrum. Isaac Boss very quickly

underneath that, the referee adjudicating that the ball was free.

Rory Best selected to captain Ireland for the second time in the

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North American tour later this gathered by McFadden. He slips it

into touch. The Ulster through. Leinster very dangerous in the

broken field. Conway very good in that aspect as well and Fergus

McFadden, you don't want them to get into open spaces. They lost a very

good kick and then some creative play by Jared Payne at the back.

Into the sunlight, unable to... That was a tough call? You could argue

that Fergus McFadden slipped the ball in seed -- infield. Better by

Ulster, best, Mulder. -- Johann Muller. Knocked back by Leinster.

Rory Best, the effective tackle. Great determination by those

Leinster poor. That was a maul. And Ulster get the scrum. Still 10-0 two

Leinster. Excellent gig I Ruan Pienaar. I have not had any position

in general play, there have been if you set these occasions but Leinster

have dominated and no real flow or rhythm with either team but Ulster

will be looking forward to some time in position to bring those wingers

in and get those ball-carriers moving forward and try to put this

Leinster defence under some sort of pressure. The Ulster scrum has been

pretty good-looking, so far. In it goes, great technique by John Afoa.

Healy, better by Leinster. Ruan Pienaar gets caught by Isaac Boss,

who has just tried to get towards the touchline. Chris Henry goes in

with the tackle. They have not released the man with the ball.

Penalty, Ulster. You feel that once that platform is stable and Ulster

are not making progress in the scrum, it needs to be very clear

from the back. Without that platform to deliver the ball from the back.

Leinster got the squeeze on and the release from Ruan Pienaar was a bit

on the slow side. They have taken the option of going for touch. And

the wind is very much in favour of Leinster at the moment. Ireland's

most capped hooker of all time, Rory Best. He is complaining that he

cannot hear the instructions. The referee asking Leinster to observe

the one metres its -- the one metre space required. This is better. That

run by Paddy Jackson. Darren Cave, the dummy, wide and the score? Can

he get it down? I'm not sure he has got it down? It looked for all the

world like Ulster were going to come back with a try. We will have to

wait and see. That was well executed and finished but was the finish

complete? Ulster getting those wingers involved, not needing to go

upstairs. Tommy Bowe makes the original decision and Paddy Jackson

has a wonderful support line on the shoulder. It started from this set

is, excellent take from the line. Tommy Bowe makes that incision,

excellent work, delivers the ball and then Robbie Diack going for that

very wet. -- Cohen Wet. -- that spin. The main thing you have to

think about is getting the ball down and he did not get the ball down

well. He did get it done eventually, was that a try? You would have liked

that to be referred upstairs, the ball was grounded but whether the

timing was right is another question but it should have gone upstairs for

that decision. The last six or seven minutes have been all Ulster, the

opening ten have been Leinster. It is the home ground of Leinster but

Ulster or the home side. Another big scrum. Tommy Bowe, the way it on the

far left hand side. -- away it. -- out. Here is Chris Henry. That

little shovel, instrument on the way, Ruan Pienaar. Rory Best. Takes

on the opposition, picked up by Williams. The big fellow has a go,

Leinster within touching distance. Ruan Pienaar looking both ways and

Ulster get the penalty. That is the fifth penalty they have given away.

Isaac Boss, very physical as a halfback, he has been a menace at

the back and on this occasion, he get it over the ball and Ulster are

unable to dislodge him. Giving up that crucial field position. Sexton,

bound for Paris but not in any great Rush. He finds that solid touch and

the Leinster mannered. -- line-out. This last game of the season and the

most important game of the season, you would like to think that Ulster

would have kept their account be a minimum but they have not. It has

been the penalties that have robbed them of any chance of continuity.

They have shown they are capable of breaking down any defence but they

were unable to finish it off and they need to get some points in this

first half. Stoner takes Jennings into Rory Best. Isaac Boss, quickly.

Tom Court, he has clattered his ankles but he was in full flight,

nothing wrong with that. Leinster through. And they have made a lot of

ground. -- through. We had still not heard about what has happened to Rob

Carney, he left the field looking like he was going to come out

wearing number 15. Conway got that hat-trick in the league game not

that long ago, and he is on the left wing. Coming up to the end of the

first quarter at the end of this Rabo Direct Pro12 final. Leinster

leading by 12-0. Gathered in bike Andrew Trimble, who calls for the

fair catch. Rory Best is injured. Beg your pardon, it was Johann

Muller. That was not a bad kick by Andrew Trimble. Conway, Sexton.

Towering, up and under. Well taken by Jackson. That was a very good

kick by Paddy Jackson. Excellent kick into a fairly stiff breeze and

he has helped establish field position again for Ulster, they

would just try to disrupt this line-out. The game very much being

controlled in that Leinster forward pack. The early try by Shane

Jennings, converted by Jonathan Sexton. Jamie Heaslip. The first

time we have maybe mentioned him. O'Driscoll, he has been mentioned

down the years. As it was on the outside half position. Jonathan

Sexton, that was a good angle. Lovely run. Great covering by Robbie

Diack. And Ulster get the penalty. Excellent work by Andrew Trimble, it

looks like a wonderful covering tackle. The referee had no choice

but to award a penalty. Ruan Pienaar has given that an almighty thump.

Ulster back inside Leinster 's 22 and Sexton is down but I am

delighted to say that he is up again. Ulster will be aware that

they need to get off that zero. Excellent kick to establish that

field position and they need to get some points on the board. That

lovely little wraparound, Sexton, sweet as a dummy. Statistics have

made him the most valuable player. Down to ground, the board is not as

quick as Ulster would have liked it. Leinster scrapping for it. The

referee has called for Ulster to use it and Ruan Pienaar is trying to get

it away, or John Afoa. Ruan Pienaar, Nick Williams. Taken on by Sexton

and Healy. Penalty against Leinster. Not releasing the man in the tackle.

Just about in front of the Leinster posts. Not the first time the

penalty has been awarded for that infringement and Ulster received a

warning for that so maybe both teams need to know that maybe a yellow

card could be shown soon. Nick Williams. John Afoa, having made the

initial thrust. Gives away the penalty. Little bit concerning to

see John Afoa getting that fairly hefty right thigh of his strapped

up. He had that hamstring problem. He came out with no strapping but he

is getting a lot of attention from Ulster's physiotherapist. The top

points scorer, the season, Ruan Pienaar. His 43rd league of Terence.

-- league appearance. And they have got it. Thanks to Ruan Pienaar,

Ulster will be happy with that. But they must not relax because Leinster

will come bouncing straight back. 10-3. It was a very important point

in terms of confidence, they are playing into a very stiff wind which

will be at their backs in the second half and they want to get as close

to Leinster as they can. They have the ability to establish great field

position through the agency of that wind in the second half. Jonathan

Sexton. Over 1000 Leinster points to his credit. That has gone straight

into touch. Ulster will have the option of receiving the kick-off

again or taking the scrummage in the middle of the park. Midfield scrum,

perfect attacking platform and they will look for that scrum to get them

the shoulder they require for whichever move they have selected.

Paddy Jackson communicating with Jared Payne. An interesting split

for the Ulster back. Jared Payne on the near side. If Nick Williams can

invade Isaac Boss, he might well carry this. The front row giving

John Lacey all sorts of problems. Come on, you boys in blue, that is

ringing out around the RDS. That was a great scrum from Ulster. Jackson

sweeping it away to Golding. The momentum has been maintained. Dan

Tuohy, the first time he has had the ball in hand. Ruan Pienaar, again.

Rory Best, good angle and great driving. Leinster man injured. Jared

Payne. Still going. He needs help. Ruan Pienaar, Jared Payne. Leinster

defence well marshalled, though. No room for Ulster to manoeuvre.

Williams again. Ulster coming in at the side, silly. Number six? That

was an excellent shot taken by Kevin McLaughlin, feature of his game. He

certainly find a way to bring Nick Williams dime, and his other

team-mates had struggled with that before. Richardt Strauss is injured

following that tackle on Rory Best. Great work by Stuart Olding and then

Dan Tuohy. This is the tackle, he got his head completely in the wrong

position. He put the head straight into Rory Best's pelvis. I hope he

is all right. Ulster will want to get their big ball-carriers into

this, carrying over that advantage line and attracting two or three

defenders and putting Leinster through a heavier work great,

defensively. But some big hits coming in from Leinster. They are

after that dealers of double and they are after that dealers of

double in their putting everything into it. That is a day for

sunglasses although the sun is just about gone. Richardt Strauss is

know how long but when the head hits the ground like that you expect

something cautionary to be done. What happened to Rob Kearney?

Answers on a postcard. He did the warmup, he went off and we didn't

realise he wasn't on the field until we saw Isa Nacewa wearing the number

15 jersey. He seems to be fit to continue. 12 and a half minutes to

go until half-time. Ulster would like some more points to keep them

in touch with the strong wind in the seven. This was the initial take,

Madigan Bidwell, Chris Henry with the tackle. -- Madigan did well.

not sure that Chris Henry could see where the ball was on that occasion.

The referee needs to start considering his options to get this

game flowing, it has stagnated at the breakdown area. Looks like

Strauss has gone up, he has a nasty looking cut. Sean Cronin has gone on

and would you believe that Johnny Sexton has missed that. It stays

3-10. Ulster, you feel, really have to begin an something before the end

of this first half. -- be given the referee is happy enough. Chris

Henry anxious to get into things. Ulster before. Very clever read.

Trimble looks for the intercept opportunity and we see a big hit

from Dan Tuohy. Inside pass to Tommy Bowe was probably the right option

but it wasn't terribly well executed. Eight and a half minutes

remaining, seven points between them. After an awful start Ulster

will not be too disappointed. really came back into the game after

the 20 minute mark. Leinster were really dictating how the game was

driving in at an illegal angle. Sexton will want to make ground.

They are giving away far too many penalties. Sexton will go for the

post. He does have a strong wind behind him. Both teams are edging up

towards the double figure mark for penalties in this first half alone.

Fun and games with Sian Hayley and easy kick by his own standards a few

when Ulster looked like they might be capable of coming back, Leinster

strike again and it is a ten point gap with six and a half minutes to

the interval. With this wind at their back they need to accumulate

points. Penalties will come into range with up to -- within 55, even

60 metres with the cannibal of Ulster's kickers. -- calibre.

get the penalty. Another penalty at the breakdown. As they accumulate

the referee has to do something about it otherwise the game will

continue in this vein. It is not the spectacle we were hoping for.

Jackson's restart kick was spot on. He is getting a bit of a left,

almost up to the clouds. -- lift. Jared Payne and Robbie Dayak did

well to get in there. -- Robbie Diack. Anscombe is not noted for

giving too much away. A tough kick as the sun comes out. A strong

wind, he has to keep it low and strike it as hard as he can. He has

got it! An excellent strike by Ruan Pienaar after the one by Johnny

Sexton so there is a converted try between them, four minutes until the

interval. Very important for minutes. A 7-point margin is

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Leinster into touch. Is there a foot here, it will make Ulster's

Good clearing out by Leinster. He is not happy about being held. The

referee has given a penalty against passage of play going around the

fringes, edging their way towards the try-line and once again it is a

penalty at the breakdown. John Afoa was being held and he took exception

to it but that was not what the penalty was for. He was not allowed

to engage. Sean Cronin went for the line. Was somebody in an offside

position? It is hard to say. Rory experience playing against Leinster

that when you score against them the first and they will do is come

straight back. Ulster's restart kick was not up to standard. Johnny

Sexton should extend the lead back this balmy Dublin evening.

Straightforward the Sexton yet again and that ten point gap has come and

gone and is back again. I don't know if Ulster will have time to do

anything before the interval. would think they would get to

half-time without the scoreboard brand-new haircut. Boss puts it into

touch, sensible. Ulster got off to an awful start. There were signs

they could do something but they have to face a ten point deficit at

the start of the second half will stop they will need to be calm,

there is plenty of time on the clock. They will need to talk to the

referee and find out what is happening at the breakdown. The game

is suffering from it. You feel that the game that works that out will go

on to be dominant. Ball in hand Ulster have looked very good but

Leinster are controlling the game on pick up the Pro12 Trophy and

incredible noise, high intensity and Leinster got off to the best

possible start with that Shane Jennings try. In the finals it's

about taking opportunities and Ulster have spurned most of their is

with Ruan Pienaar certainly keeping them in touch but they have given

far too many penalties away and Jonathan Sexton has punished them.

But Ulster certainly are still well in this, ten points adrift with a

strong wind at their backs in the second half. At half-time, Ulster

six, Leinster's 16. We have been enjoying a frenetic first half and

because of Ulster's indiscipline, Leinster deserve the lead?

opening ten minutes was poor from Ulster, they gave away far too many

penalties, territory and possession and that allowed Leinster to get

into their stride early and that is one of the things Ulster would not

have wanted to happen but it is trying to manage the breakdown and

for both sides, at particularly Ulster. We talked a bit top of the

show, the start was important and Ulster were caught one thing, with

four penalties given away in six minutes and Leinster had that big

foothold with the strong wind and Ulster have done well to come back

but both number seven is our lucky they have not spent time in the sin

bin. I think it showed their intent earlier on. Getting that penalty.

Add an opening 1050 minutes, Ulster run the wrong end. It is all about

small margins and if Robbie Diack had stood in for that school instead

of staying upright, it could have been a completely different picture?

It could have been anti-butchered that, he had the ball in his right

hand, great layoff, using a Nick Williams as the decoy, Paddy Jackson

has done badly, the quick ball and that simple skip, Robbie has his

ball in his right hand and he tries to come back inside and that should

have been five points. You have to take your chances? That is what it

is all about at this level, you will not get too many opportunities

against Leinster. The build-up was good, lovely soft hands, three

Leinster defenders, they get the ball out into that area and they

have to score. That'll be encouraging for Ulster, a move like

that? It will be and we have underestimated just how strong that

wind actually is and have been occasions when Pienaar and Jackson

have kicked for touch and the ball has not gone very far. Ulster have

also suffered, they have been unable to string anything together and the

game has been dominated by the referee, unfortunately. 16-6 is not

a bad result in that went and the strength to stay, Ulster are very

much in this and is opening ten minutes, you feared for them and did

show in a lot strength of character for them to start getting back and

clawing back because there will have been bad memories coming from last,

will this slip away from us? But that thankfully has not happened.

What is your take on the referee's analysis of the breakdown? It has

been difficult and he wants both teams to stay on their feet and if

the boys are going off their feet and not releasing, he does not have

any option and there has been no legal but the guys have not

listened, it is the same persistent infringing from both sides. Leinster

have also given away their fair share of penalties. If somebody

asked them, what is expected of us? Because at both -- at this moment,

both teams don't know. And the referee has to give a yellow card at

some point because until he does, nothing will change. There is no

deterrent, the players will be prepared to step over that line,

especially if they are outside kicking range, they will continue to

go for the ball. Ulster have created quite a lot in the first half,

considering that poor start? There have been two or three opportunities

and that nice break down the left-hand side from Stuart Olding

and the charge down, and Isaac Boss does for the world to cover and stop

Ulster from scoring but we have had incidents inside Leinster's five

metre line and we have not converted or scored any points and that has

been crucial. It is about taking those opportunities, Leinster get

down to that 22 and they maximise their territorial advantage and

Ulster have to do the same, and we see this great build-up, assessing

the breakdown fairly well in the opposition 22 and recycling but

isolation, he just gets isolated for a split second and the support play

is not there and Leinster rollover that. Leinster always had two guys

on Nick Williams and he has been able to recycle but he has not put

anything over the gain line. But one example of how they could tether

Nick Williams and turn him over but Leinster are also able to slow the

ball down at the breakdown? talked about Sean O'Brien being

missing and that would hamper them but Shane Jennings brings a

different dimension and what we have seen him do is tackle low, go for a

Nick Williams around the ankles, and if you double-team him, that

disrupts his play and that is what Leinster have done effectively,

getting people to the breakdown and they have caused issues for Ulster,

stopping them getting that quick ball. Ulster have targeted the scrum

before the start of this and they have the advantage but unfortunately

have not taken the advantages they have had? This is off the back of

the Isaac was touched on and Ulster have two penalties and they have

gone for the third but Ulster clearly have the knowledge, great

body position from John Afoa and Tom Court is putting Ross under pressure

but the third one is the issue, Nick Williams caught at the back and he

disengages and Leinster turned the ball over to clear their lines and

we have been sloppy at the base of the scrum. Watching that scrum

again, that could have gone the other way. It went down early but

the referee let play commence. We have seen sometimes a penalty given

because they often favour the side going forward and they could so

easily have gotten a penalty try. there is one negative side to Nick

Williams's side, it is going backwards. He is not the best at

picking the ball up and shoring it up and they would like to have seen

him picking that up and letting Ruan Pienaar taking the flak. Gavin

Andrews is bedside. Andy and Keith are with me. You have been as

unimpressed with the referee as some Ulster fans? Some dubious decisions

and he yelled out of the penalty try down the corner and Ulster have put

immense pressure on and he bailed out. Disappointed with that and some

decisions going not quite the Ulster way. But I have my Ulster eyepatch

on. But they have had chances, Robbie Diack made a hash of that try

on the corner. Go now at two yards, you cannot lose. They worked hard up

to the point and to let it go through a lack of concentration was

very poor. Keith? Entertaining stuff? Little bit cagey, to be

honest. It was lacking in compulsion for the first 20 minutes, giving

away silly penalties and John Lacey has been quite hard on them but

their composure, even holding the ball at the back of the scrum, if

they had got that penalty try, they had kept more focus, are putting the

Leinster scrum under pressure but Leinster are clinical, taking

chances and they just seem to understand where they are a little

bit more. More comfortable. There is a very bright sun and wind, it just

is about how both sides do with that. Thank you. Ten points at

half-time. Ulster will, I would imagine, be pretty encouraged it is

not more than they certainly know this game is not out of reach?

Definitely not out of reach, I don't think Leinster have threatened them

too much and they got into those wide channels but Ulster defence

were well marshalled. Ulster will be talking about discipline, simple as

that. If they can get discipline and controlled territory, that is the

key. And with this wind, they have a very good chance. Use that wind,

give Leinster as few scoring opportunities as possible. Then came

composure and go through the phases and that space will come. There has

been an awful lot of running, two or three boys injured and a serious

amount of heavy fighting going on. Over 80 minutes, that will take its

toll. Important not to start the second half the way they did the

first-half? Absolutely, they don't want to do that. It is important

that territorial is the main thing and they want to make sure they get

their hands onto the ball the first few seconds and try to get that all

down there. Paddy Jackson has controlled the game for a well and

he has looked very solid and Ruan Pienaar will have two direct as well

and make sure they can control territory and controlled possession

and just be patient. Rory Best could be in line for the call-up to the

lions? Obviously, we don't know the ins and outs of that but there is

that suspension meeting but I think we all feel that he should be there

to start. There will be some good Ulster news coming out of the back

of this. Rory Best and is Ulster team have got the Pro12 final to

win. Let's rejoin the, treating, Ryan Constable and Jim Neilly.

the quietest venue in the world at the moment. -- let's rejoin our

Paris, gets the second half under way. Ulster very nearly conceded

possession again. A bit of a mix-up with the sunlight. The touch judge

's flag is up. The penalty given to Ulster and they must secure

possession. That was a very good kick from Sexton. It was tantalising

Jared Payne and Trimble said, yours? Rory Best. Taken by Dan Tuohy. Chris

Henry, static. That looked forward. Play on, says the referee, he did

not see that but I was pretty sure it was former. Ulster outside 22, he

cannot kick to rectally into touch what he has gone for distance and

will let the wind carried out. Isa Nacewa. Not a great contact. Dan

Tuohy knocking it backwards, Tom Court. Has a rumble himself. Need

some help. Paddy Jackson. Tommy Bowe. That was a good tackle from

McFadden. The first penalty of a second have goes against Ulster. --

of the second half. Nick Williams looks incredulously at John Lacey.

The theme has been not rolling away and holding onto the ball, a litany

of offences that have been well described by the referee but the

players are not taking any heed and you feel there needs to be further

censure to give those warnings some merit. We can see Tommy Bowe taking

the ball into contact. Big collisions all around, I think that

is Nick Williams and Andrew Trimble entering that, inflicting the damage

on Ian Madigan. Tommy Bowe guilty of hanging on and not making any effort

to roll out of the way. The top try scorer in the Celtic League. 51

for Ulster if Ian Madigan cannot continue. Tommy Bowe will be hoping

the next 38 and its passes victoriously for himself and Ulster

and injury free for himself or stop Ian Madigan seems to be fine. Joe

Smith, he has been nothing short of sensational as Leinster coach. If he

can bring what he has brought to Leinster to Ireland, lots of Ireland

fans will be pretty happy next season. Not a man who has divided

that tension -- opinion, everybody is unanimous with him being the

chosen candidate for Ireland. They hope to witness the same spectacles

in the green journey as he has for another penalty against Ulster?

I think it is. Playing the is coming back for the penalty.

Ulster shooting themselves in both feet. The penalties keep coming and

hopefully this is the warning. Somebody is getting a card now.

Robbie Diack off his feet in the ruck and off he goes to the pen.

Really it is looking like Leinster's Trophy. The referee has

taken the action to try to ward off this flow of penalties for a variety

of different offences. He has deemed that to be enough and drawn a line

in the sand. Ulster's major failing this season has been their penalty

count and you would expect them to do something about it. Whether it is

the referee's interpretation or not, they have given away penalty after

penalty am well into double figures stretched the Leinster lead even

further. -- stretch. He has given that a nice clip and Sexton has

landed five penalties out of six attempts and Ulster are now 13

points behind. Ulster have shown, for them it is about possession.

When they have the ball in general play and get into the game plan,

quick possession, they will score points. They just need possession.

Conway, the replacement for Kearney, bit of help but he might go all the

way. Ulster quite unhappy about that. That has to be a yellow card.

I don't think a penalty try was ever an option but certainly it was a

high tackle. This will be yellow for sure. Questionable about the penalty

try. Paddy Jackson has looked dangerous all game. He is going to

the pocket. It will be a slightly tarnished farewell to Leinster. This

is game number 126 for Isa Nacewa. After the third, he beats the

defender and then slices in between Isa Nacewa... Not a huge amount of

malice, just grabbing for what he could. A justifiable penalty and

yellow card but Ulster are showing that they need to break that attack

down. Straightforward strike by Ruan Pienaar closes the gap to nine

points. Ulster were facing the prospect of playing with 14 men, Isa

Nacewa is in the pen. Both sides have 14 men, the act for Ulster. --

Ravenhill, Ruan Pienaar. I'm sure tackled Rory Best and then went off

the way that ball bounced, he was in a corner. He just found touch and

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

Irish colleague over. That is a Madigan has come all the way back,

he has Tommy Bowe. He was tackled and he did not release. Ulster get

the penalty. Excellent work by Pienaar to size up the situation.

Madigan thought he had a lot more time, Tommy Bowe reacted break

quickly. Excellent tackle by Jackson. -- very quickly. Quite

often you see players missing that, they don't steady themselves.

Penalty to Ulster. Tommy Bowe had it with both hands so the tackle was

good, and he was on the ground. Ruan Pienaar has this chance to get

Pienaar nails another one. Both sides still with men in the bin.

Quite a bruising encounter, the stakes are raised, within the last

half an hour. Isa Nacewa chewing on some gum while he waits to come back

Pienaar. Leinster line up -- line-out. This is the luxury of the

wind at your back. I would like to see Leinster cooking more for

distance. -- kicking. It is about discipline and focus now for Ulster

and Leinster want to arrest the scoring sequence they have

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

initially. Leinster have won it. atypical giveaway. Ruan Pienaar had

the absolutely right decision to Leinster. They are holding onto

possession. The ball has gone loose. Ulster get the penalty. The ball was

played on the ground by a player. Ulster will look for another three

points, they are eroding this lead quite nicely, wind at their backs.

If you were looking at both coaches now, at the 55 minute mark, you

would think in this wind that if you were behind by seven points you

wouldn't be too concerned. In a few minutes Isa Nacewa will be back on

listening to something like New Direction. One Direction, shows what

I know! He has kicked beautifully, it is five out of five. That is the

closed Ulster have been since this game started. -- the closest.

is no need to play in elaborate rugby in your own defensive third

when you have the wind at your back. Use that man, Ruan Pienaar. They

have the options out wide in Jared Payne to establish position and

squeeze Leinster out of this match. Isa Nacewa is back on so we are back

to 15 apiece. Ulster fans on the far side not enamoured with the

referee's reading of that. He says, no, no, no. He did both league

games, George Clancy. Boss. Sexton. Madigan. Good tackle by Steward

Oldham. John Afoa. Jennings. EISA Nacewa, back on the park. Jennings,

again. Aggressive running but he needs to be held. As a was, Kevin

McLaughlin. As a Boss, Madigan. -- Isaac Boss. Well tackled. He might

have a little go himself. This is Madigan. Mike Ross into Ruan

Pienaar. Isaac Boss, Jonathan Sexton. Kevin McLaughlin. Again,

good Ulster defence. Sexton with the dummy and he has got three! Just

held on to it. Somebody got his jersey. Deceptively quick. He has a

go himself and he has knocked it forward. It is almost as if Leinster

have sensed the threat from Ulster and have increased the tempo of the

game, direct running and quick recycling ball and it is just

unfortunate for them, that little knock-on, on doing what was a very

promising move. 19-15. Less than a converted try between them. Isaac

Boss, I think you just got mixed up with one of his Leinster players.

Mike Ross. That will give Ulster the scrum. Stuart Olding, he has able --

he has had a wonderful end of season and he has been selected for the

Irish tour of North America. Great defensive work it Toner. And

O'Driscoll, cares nothing for his own fitness. Some sort of head spin

than ever. Just shows you the physical nature of this encounter.

But the intensity has been ratcheted up as this game progresses and that

scoreline, four points separating both James and an intriguing 22

minutes left. Apart from the overseas players, everybody on this

part is doing something this summer, whether it is the lions tour by the

Irish development to or even the Barbarians in the case of Jared

Payne. Rory Best, there will be loads of speculation as to the

outcome of this. There is the feeling that he will be in for a

serious suspension, Hartley. Nick Williams get it away. Leinster have

closed them down. Ulster need to regroup. Jackson has been told to

step back by Pienaar and he does. He has kept that infield, gathered by

Conway and he tries to get away from Trimble. Putting in some terrific

tackling today. Sexton, McFadden. Into Johann Muller. 20 minutes and a

bit remaining. Kevin McLaughlin, great grappling by Rory Best. Sexton

with the corner. Darren Cave covers. He has given that a fair old lick.

Isa Nacewa, back from the sin bin. Once to make amends. -- wants to

make amends. Great tackle by Darren Cave. The ball spilled forward.

Chris Henry penalised, I think. I think the ball went forward.

referee getting the nod from the assistant on the sideline to say

that there was some interference with the hand. Jonathan Sexton will

go for the cross? Now, he has gone for the corner. He has given the

Ulster touch judge something to think about. I would have thought

Sexton would have had a go at that. The Leinster fans are delighted with

that decision. It was given as OK and that was about as perfectly

kicked as you could get from Jonathan Sexton. This might be game

over but that was a very tough call. You could not tell from that angle.

This is the most crucial line-out of the afternoon. Let us see if they

can, but they do have rent variation that they used to school usually.

Jamie Heaslip standing. Tom Court stands on the narrow side. Leinster

will try to squeeze forward, I am sure. The referee has said, one more

and you have to play it. John Afoa came around. Leinster going for the

jugular. They have too moved and here is Healy. John Afoa. Leinster

within touching distance. Jennings, looking for try number two. Isaac

Boss. O'Driscoll. The referee has called advantage so there might well

be another penalty against Ulster. Stuart Olding came in, he has to get

out of the way. Here go Leinster again. That might be the try. The

referee has to go upstairs. O'Driscoll thinks it has been scored

and by Jamie Heaslip. They will go upstairs. Dermot Moloney. He has

asked, is any reason why I cannot award this try. He is not going to

see anything from that footage that will enable him not to award the

try, as we see it going over. The benefit of the doubt given, it will

go to the try scorer. Jamie Heaslip had a quiet start to the season, not

a particularly distinguished six Nations but he has come back in

flying style and has earned himself a second Lions tour. Excellent work

by Devin Toner. He latched on early and added his considerable weight to

the proceedings. The trial has been awarded. Leinster moved nine points

ahead. Add Joe Schmidt looks very relieved. That relief is

understandable given that Ulster looks to have captured the momentum

in this game and what a stinging riposte from Leinster, Jimmy he's

the glowing -- finishing the season of. -- Jamie Heaslip finishing the

season off. Leinster, having lost three successive Pro12 finals, are

in no mood to make it a quartet of so no conversion. Nine points

between them, it is still doable for Ulster with 16 minutes Rimini. It

was O'Driscoll, who else? Isaac Boss has been outstanding. Robbie Diack

has left the field and Henderson has come on. Wearing number 19. Michael

Allen, as well, for Ulster. The referee giving advantage to Ulster.

Stuart Olding is the man who has gone off injured. Jared Payne is

moving into the centre. We'll Darren Cave moved to the inside centre? We

will have two wait-and-see. -- we'll Darren Cave move. Still time for

Ulster. Dan Tuohy. Off to North Payne. Not forward by Ulster, the

referee playing advantage to Leinster. There was a look of

frustration on the face of Tommy Bowe. He has not been able to get

any kind of ball into any kind of space to show how good he is.

going lateral. Tommy trying to straighten it but excellent

defensive work by Leinster. You feel at Ulster need to score a try at

this juncture. Penalties may not be enough. They need a converted try

and a penalty to win this. Or ten by Jamie Heaslip. Looks like he is

now enjoying himself. Kevin McLaughlin. As it was, who has been

outstanding for Leinster. O'Driscoll. Dan Tuohy. The ball

comes back from O'Driscoll. Leo Cullen, the oldest man on the park

at 35. His third decade playing for Leinster. Leinster looking like a

side well in control. Good work I stress. Ian Madigan tackled by Jared

Payne. Cian Healy, into Tom Court. The Leinster control of the ball is

exemplary at the moment. Devin Toner. Gets his big frame to the

ground and gives away the penalty. Has to go into the corner by Ulster.

Within range but you feel it is time to take more speculative options and

kick the comic you should be somewhere between five and 15 metres

it from the try line to get something moving from a line-out.

Ruan Pienaar has decided that three points in the bag might be the

ticket and it is the toughest kicky has faced on this glorious afternoon

in Dublin. He has landed five from five so far. And Ulster fans will be

thinking, this is no time to start has to be one of the kicks of the

season. Is it good enough to propel Ulster to victory? Leinster have

almost gone straight back. Have you seen a better kick? Under such

pressure that was by no means easy. He made it look easy and has

restored the 6-point margin. O'Driscoll, who I think we are all

delighted to say we'll be playing again next year, Pienaar inside his

22. That has taken them well into Leinster territory. They need a

converted try to win this game, Ulster. Two penalties would draw the

game. P now and Jackson are playing particularly well today. -- Ruan

players of the season. McLaughlin thought he saw a bit of a gap, was

expect Ulster to take their time here, Ruan Pienaar seeing how close

he can get to that try-line. He will be looking to get at least around

the 22 line. He struck it pretty nicely. This is the point where

Jennings very nearly got through. Look at Cian Healy, what a mobile

prop Paul he is. Eventually it was quickly, there are men out wide if

they can get to them. Bruising run forward. Leinster scrum, time

ticking away, seven and a half minutes remaining, six points

between them. Thrilling stuff, Ulster in the right place on the

pitch with possession. Williams, brushing defenders aside, trying to

make that ball available for the offload will stop taking it to

ground on that occasion. Still time left, Ulster will be thinking. Tom

Court is showing the effects of the physicality of this match. He is

going off, Callum Black is coming on. Quinn Roux, number 19, is coming

on in place of Devin Toner. A lot of very very tired men out there but

the fans will never tire of watching the men in blue or the men in white,

although they will have to wait until next season. Chief executive

Mick Dawson will be a very happy possession now, they will not want

to concede it. They will get forward into macros and three s. -- in twos

minutes. A solid scrum from Ulster, good option. It is the small

margins. Leinster would have felt in control in possession. He takes the

right option, good infield, another forward runner. Now it is Ulster

with an opportunity as the clock ticks away. Ulster are throwing

they know that time is on their side. Leinster making a

substitution, or a replacement I should say, Jamie Hagan is coming on

at tight-head prop. That should be fun and games. They will be looking

at their shins for this scrum, seeing if they can make that

incision. Everything hanging in the balance as we get close to the last

five minutes. A little update on the Dylan Hartley situation, it is a

minimum of six weeks for abusing the referee. I am told that the referee

at Twickenham had already warned him about his conduct, so if he gets six

weeks there will be no Lions tour converted try would win this game

have regained possession. They wanted it quicker than that. Good

work by Allen. John Afoa is battling has led the side since he arrived.

You think Ruan Pienaar is looking how deep he can kick this into

opposition territory. Talking about going for the three points but

sanity prevails with the clock ticking. Not a bad kick, right on

the 22. Nick Williams took the wish him good fortune on the Lions

tour. Jack McGrath comes on. Will he be a double winner with Leinster?

They can hardly hear the line-out call, there is such a noise at the

RBS. It has been a monumental battle, not wonderful rugby but what

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

Ulster now, but can Leinster hold alt? -- alt. Leinster get the

penalty. That may be Ulster's last chance. They recycled the ball

through multiple phases and that should be enough to wind the clock

The Ulster fans are not happy that Jonny Sexton is in no rush, but you

can't really blame him. Unless Ulster can produce something very

special in the next minute and a bit, Leinster, having lost the

finals in 2010 and the next two years, are going to win their first

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

says play on. Brian O'Driscoll pops it up. No, it was Fergus McFadden.

McFadden again. 80 minutes have gone. Desperate times for Ulster.

O'Driscoll kicks it into touch and Ireland's greatest player of the

modern era will have the final say on this game. Ulster's errors cost

them dear. They came back and one point were within points of Leinster

but the men in blue, arguably the best team in Europe. They have

deservedly won this game and what a great send-off, not just to Jonny

Sexton after France, not just to Isa Nacewa of two retirement, but the

Joe Schmidt, after greater things with Ireland. -- off to retirement.

No objective observer would begrudge Joe Root this double. -- Joe

Schmidt. Jonny Sexton, may not be the last time he plays in a blue

jersey but certainly for the next couple of years. Leinster will be

very satisfied at the way they have finished this season. Ulster will be

massively disappointed. Ultimately, just too much collective experience

within the Leicester side. It was a hard game, a game that from

Ulster's point of view contained too many errors. Johann Muller, who has

captained Ulster splendidly in the last couple of seasons, today, on

his 50th occasion, will be bitterly disappointed. When he came from

South Africa he said that the Ulster team were operating on about 40%.

They are still not 100%, if they get there they will be very hard to

beat. The better side has been Leinster. Jamie Heaslip and his

second Lions tour. -- off on his. The men that matter will be there

for some time to come and the fans waving blue flags will be delighted

to keep supporting their Leinster side. Ulster will come again, but

this is a man who has saw Leinster to two trophies, European glory last

week and Pro12 glory this week. Joe Schmidt, good luck, says everyone.

Glorious day at the RDS, Ulster did their bit but the error can't let

them down and they have lost to a very good Leinster side. 18-24. --

error kind. It was a compelling Cup Final, bruising, exciting and what a

send-off for the Leinster coach, Joe Schmidt quest Mark -- Joe Schmidt?

Everything we expected and more. Very good side is going head-to-head

and producing the goods, discipline is what cost Ulster but they can be

free pride of their performance. There was not a lot between the

teams, it came down to the penalty count and those first ten minutes

from Ulster when they did not come out of the blocks at the beginning.

Let's hear from Shane Jennings. 175 cup. Pretty special, to be honest.

Such a huge amount of credit to Ulster, they played unbelievably all

season. After getting to overdose chilling this year, we were not

happy, so it was it tough game and a lot of credit has to go to them for

a great season but I am obviously delighted for what has happened with

us. Isa Nacewa, Johnny Sexton and Joe Schmidt? Three important people

in the club going but they are not the only lads moving on, lots of

people have been involved over this year as certain as I played and have

not been on the pitch today, lots of guys in the stands have contributed.

There is a good 40 or 50 Lanci have put in the effort so it is this

massive squad effort. -- so it is a massive squad effort. Shane

Jennings, the match and his first-half try which held Leinster

secure that factory. We both agree, Shane Jennings was outstanding today

and then Sean O'Brien was out of the running order, it often happens that

the man who comes in as a storm and I thought he was very eventful

chilling the breakdown but we saw him carrying the ball as well and he

was very impressive and he deserves his award. Joe Schmidt is a

forensic, meticulous coach who certainly did his own work today?

does, he came from Clermont with that same knowledge, friends, he

worked it would Ulster were going to do and their attack X and Leinster

looked as though they were wobbling in the second half and Ulster had

more of the ball and were using the wind but the likes of Jennings and

Colin, Heaslip, they were able to get back into this and slow the game

down and it was whenever Ulster looked like they were coming into

it. Let's hear from the wedding coach. His 77th win. What a record!

Two trophies in seven days, is this the send-off you were trimming of?

Just relief, to be honest, still a little bit early and those last few

minutes were nerve wracking, to say the least. Tribute goes to Ulster,

they made a dramatic? They made a dramatic, I was delighted with our

defence and was fantastic to keep them without any try, but you cannot

keep them on that score with Ruan Pienaar. I think he is a super

player for them and we just know the discipline had to be good.

Cullen? Come on in. Is this the send-off you were hoping for?

amazing, the Ulster fans as well, incredible. Very similar to

Twickenham last year and on a smaller scale but it is rarely great

for us being at home to give the guys this send-off, it has been

amazing three years and it was pretty tight but there are but we

just held on. A good old-fashioned dogfight? Absolutely, every time we

looked like we got in front, Ulster clawed back and we just could not

get ahead of them and the game is just a bit of a blur but we are

delighted with the win and a lot of the guys are moving on and it is

great to make the last two weeks for a special. Days we will remember at

the RDS. Time for the official presentation, Ulster gave it their

all today but they finish runners-up after an enthralling Pro12 season.

Pienaar and the rest of the Ulster squad getting their runners-up

medals, looking disconsolate. One wonders what will happen to Rory

Best and the man at the end of that particular line-up is Andy Irvine,

the chairman of the Lions and the Chief Executive of the Lions and

also of Celtic rugby. Chris Henry comes through, Callum Black, who

finished in every squad this season. You can see their disappointment,

they have a lock to look forward to next season. Mike McComish, Paul

Marshall, two players who did not get on. Hartley has been suspended

for giving some serious abuse to the referee. And a red card at. It could

be a very hefty suspension. Nick Williams, double winner of Player of

the Year. He has been very influential. Tommy Bowe, I am sure

he hasn't dried his first season back at Ravenhill and more to come.

Only a boy? Certainly, there is a lot of rugby left in that man and

this team and at times like this, losing the final, there is nothing

but disappointment and they will be any reflect the mood to assess just

how far they have moved forward and at the moment it will just be the

pain of defeat, and these Ulster supporters have turned up and it

will continue to support them next season and there is plenty of reason

for optimism with Ulster rugby. lost three successive finals and

Leinster, at long last, have made the Pro12 Trophy their own. This man

has a unique race in the history of northern hemisphere rugby, the only

captain to lift the Heineken Cup on three occasions, getting lots of

hugs from the rest of the squad and what a squad it is, losing nephew.

Cian Healy going nowhere, except for the Lions. Andy Irvine. Heading for

the Lions. And Strauss and Toner. But these Leinster fans were in

ecstasy last week and will be even more so this week because they lost

twice to Ulster in the proper league, edition and they were

determined to put one over on their oldest interprovincial rivals. Ian

Madigan with a much more sensible haircut. What a great man he has

been for Leinster and Irish rugby. Andrew Conway. Isaac Boss, in behind

him. What a player he has been. We were just hearing, somebody just

five minutes before kick-off said that Rob Kearney had a slightly

tight hamstring and they did not want to risk him. Kevin McLaughlin.

Sean Cronin. There is a man who I am delighted to say is fit again. What

more can be said about O'Driscoll? Quinn Roux had his injury problems

this season. And for the very last time in the blue of Leinster, unless

he were a two bed, and listen to the cried. EISA Nacewa! Jamie Heaslip,

the arid skipper throughout the six Nations. He had to give way to the

man who has been an outstanding skipper for the boys in blue, Leo

Cullen. It was talking to his father, Frank, just before kick-off

and he was slightly nervous. Understandably so. Jennings gets to

left! -- left. And Leinster are the Rabo Direct Pro12 champions for the

2012-2013 season. Ulster made them work all the way. But there was no

doubt, this side really deserve this accolade. They set the benchmark

throughout Europe in recent seasons and one wonders how they will do

under their new coach as Joe Schmidt moves to ardent, hoping to bring

some of this Leinster flare and organisation to Ireland. It is a

potent mix and he has in respect of all the players from the provinces,

he is very highly regarded throughout. They have all said what

a nice man he is, but an astute rugby coach as well. Leinster have

peaked at the right time this season, they have delivered the

silverware, disappointed with the Heineken Cup but they have salvaged

something and they have made this a blue ribbon event. One or two of

those boys look like they have not got a lot of champagne in their diet

but they thoroughly deserved. Champagne celebrations for Leinster

and as the team said, let's hope that Joe Schmidt can bring some of

that success into the Irish international set-up, and certainly

these will be difficult pictures for Ulster fans to watch but when Joe

Schmidt becomes the Ireland coach, they will be hoping he can bring bad

Midas touch. Let us hear from the Ulster hooker, Rory Best. Another

dramatic, disappointing game? Whenever you get to this stage of

the season, we made our plans clear at the start of the season, we

wanted to win something and anything else would be failed and I think, as

per usual, you can never fault the effort, at times we lacked accuracy

and discipline was very poor and when you play the top sides, in

finals, that'll be the difference and ultimately, we gifted them 12

points. We lost the game by six so that sums up the game but it also

shows how good Leinster are because if you give them a chance, they came

away with four different scorers and ultimately that is the difference.

It is very hard to take. But you have to give credit to those boys,

they are so accurate and that is where you want to be but it does not

make it any easier. Is that what you can learn from today? There comes a

point when you have two stop learning and obviously you always

want to be learning at getting better but when it comes to big

games, we cannot say we need to do this and that, that is not a case of

fronting up, we need to be more strict eyes and we got outplayed

today by a team that were much more streetwise in the breakdown and I

don't think they can infringe any less, they were just smarter.

tight calls from the referee? that'll be the case in any big game

and they are more strict eyes and they get away with more.

Personally, I thought we could not fault the referee, it was a good

game, it was the final and it was tough and we have a lot of broken

bodies of their but ultimately, we lost at ourselves by being outplayed

in the breakdown. Dylan Hartley giving the straight red card and

that six-week ban will mean he will not travel with the Lions. What

would it mean for you to comment? is hard working to have lost this

game and it is hard to focus on anything else. It is hard to say we

are a better side than we showed today because we have shown a lot of

great rugby but ultimately, we were per on the breakdown and everything

else is a sideshow. We have 35, 40 hurt boys and management and that is

what we are focusing on at the moment. Bully breast, -- Rory Best,

battled -- battered and bruised. I suppose he is right, it will be time

for Ulster to actually deliver on the big stage? As far as post-budget

interviews go, that is one of the best, he nailed it superbly,

absolutely right, you lost this on the breakdown, Leinster were more

streetwise and Shane Jennings is the man of the match and there is a

reason, he knows how to play. Ulster will be bitterly disappointed that

he knows they can take heart from this and he also highlighted that

learning, there comes a point when you have to stop saying that, Ulster

have been in enough big games and they have to produce. Ulster did

give Leinster points and opportunities today. Absolutely

opportunities today. Absolutely right. Leinster took their chances

in the first half with the wind and Ulster did not really. In the second

half they weren't able to put the final nail into it. The blue hand of

God, Brian O'Driscoll, a bit quiet today but fantastic news that he has

signed another year to play in Ireland. I'm sure that Joe Schmidt

has had something to do with that. He is a fantastic player, and

sometimes his presence on the pitch, just organising. We talked

about the senior players. He is one of the guys who puts his hand up,

has a calming word, takes the sting out of the situation. Let's hear

from Ulster coach Mark Anscombe. Rory Best talked about accuracy

being the problem. You want to get into the game and the first two

minutes, two penalties. Then we were behind for the whole game. That set

the scene. I thought some of the decisions were pretty tough, I can't

argue with what we were getting done for but I think some should have

gone the other way. It is just the fine detail that costs you the

finals. It must hurt that there was only a score in it. Absolutely. We

have to learn from this, make sure that we bounce back from this. We

have come a long way and we could and should have beaten the best team

of the contest. What can the younger players learn from this? The key is

discipline. We have been hurting ourselves with our discipline. We

gave away quite a bit. Thanks for your time. Ulster got themselves

within four points but Leinster were clinical and this is how they did

it. Once they got within five yards of a line they were collective, the

unity was very strong. They were patient and they had too much power

in the end. Ulster had try scoring opportunities but were just not able

to finish things off. Leinster played the referee in a much better

fashion. I thought in the second-half Ulster did very very

well. For the first 15, 20 minutes they really dominating. They needed

to keep possession and keep chipping away. Ruan Pienaar was exceptional

and he was not going to miss anything. Once Leinster got the try,

they changed their style of play, started keeping it tight, they were

more patient and held onto the ball to try to wear the time away.

to Ulster, who made a real game of this. Joe Schmidt said his

overriding emotion was one of relief. Ulster have been a good team

for a year and a half. They are continuing to learn, there are a lot

of young players in there, and we can see the make-up of the squad is

touring this summer, how many Ulster guys are there. People learn from

this but eventually that will have to get across. A lot of people at

home will say the referee was too harsh on Ulster at the breakdown.

What is your analysis of that, Bryn? If you tear apart at every incident

I'm sure you could find mistakes by the referee. But at the end of the

day you have to still play the referee and Leinster did it better

today. The other thing I will add, Ulster have moved on but Leinster

are one of the top sides in European rugby. I would put them in the same

league as too long. Ulster have not come away with any silverware this

year but they have made that progression. Going back to the

referee in, he laid down the law quite clearly at the start of the

game. Players have to listen to him. Ulster have not learned as the game

has gone on and in the second half they were guilty of giving away soft

penalties. Bryn is right, you can analyse and make an assertion for

both teams in terms of decisions that should have gone the other way

but at the end of the day you have to listen. Both teams received a

yellow card in the second half. think both rightly so. This was one

call we were finding it hard to ascertain what the problem was.

Robbie Diack, I thought, had a very good game. Paddy Jackson, wonderful

break. He grabbed him by the collar. The yellow card is kind of

cancelled each other out. They did. Ruan Pienaar kicked the three points

and the crowd behind us... quickly as Ulster turned beam over

-- turned them over, there was another penalty. You felt like the

momentum of the game was starting to change. That was the unfortunate

thing, that Ulster got the momentum going at that stage. Let's hear from

Brian O'Driscoll. You have had some special days in

the blue shirt. How does this rank? It is great. It means an awful lot

to us. Over the last three years we have got to the final hurdle and

fallen. It is a relief, I suppose. A great thing to send the boys off. We

sent them off on a winning note. To get the first double this club has

had. The scoreboard, 18-24, Ulster have been the best team in the

competition and on the day we beat them. It might have been a different

story at Ravenhill, but always great games against Ulster. Is Ruan

Pienaar's accuracy the key to success. Yes, we really have

accuracy with the ball and I think that has been hugely important to

us. Now you are allowed to think about the lines. Are you looking

forward to it? Yes, it is a big relief that everybody has come

through unscathed. I look forward to a few pints tonight and then early

flight out to London to get stuck in. Cheers.

No rest for the wicked. Brian O'Driscoll no doubt will be an

influential player. It could see Rory Best getting a call-up after

the yellow -- red card for Dylan Hartley. I think it will be just

reward. Further afield people will agree it was an odd decision not

having Rory Best there. Dylan Hartley is an ill disciplined

character. You need people who will not put the squad in jeopardy.

were talking about Ulster not taking advantage of them momentum but they

did show some fantastic chances. half-time they knew they had to come

up with something special in the second half. Ruan Pienaar had a

great run and chase. Who is the second man there but Rory Best? He

is a contender for man of the match. Ruan Pienaar again showing his pure

class. He never looked like he was going to miss. The television

pictures are not conclusive about whether this kick went behind a flag

not. Very hard to tell, you could argue for or against. Leinster,

again, very clinical in the Ulster 22. Whenever you go to the video

referee it is hard to see clearly it is a try but you have no hesitation

to say that the momentum and the angle, it would have gone in.

up Ulster's season for me. No trophies but they have moved on.

was all about silverware this year so they will be very disappointed.

They will agree it was a very good campaign and they just let

themselves down against Saracens. Apart from that one slip they can be

very proud of their performance. Lots to build on. Yes, we have seen

the emergence of Iain Henderson, several players coming into the

equation. They are in improving but still we would like to season and

result. Let's hope that Joe Schmidt's success rubs off on this

Irish team. I think he will be a great acquisition for Ireland.

is the one difference between him and a lot of many other countries.

He will leave no stone unturned trying to turn around Ulster

fortunes. Our big weekend of sport season. Ulster did not do quite