Summary

  • Ulster 21-29 Leinster - full-time

  • James Culhane and Jimmy O'Brien score first-half tries for visitors

  • Robbie Henshaw stretches Leinster's lead before Sam Prendergast secures bonus point

  • Bryn Ward and Zac Ward (2) hit back for Ulster as Leinster receive 20-minute red card with Max Deegan dismissed

  1. Goodnight from the Affidea Stadium!published at 22:09 BST 17 April

    FT: Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    A thrilling finish to a game that was starting to look ugly for Ulster. Despite that, they come away with nothing and have a raft of injuries to deal with.

    Leinster will look to build on this for the run-in to play-offs. You can read Matt Gault's report here but, from us, it's goodnight.

    Thanks for joining us tonight!

  2. Postpublished at 22:02 BST 17 April

    FT: Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Ian Madigan
    Former Ireland fly-half on Premier Sports

    Leinster made it so difficult for them but Ulster were far too loose with ball in hand and their discipline and set-piece particularly in the first half let them down.

  3. Postpublished at 22:00 BST 17 April

    FT: Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Ian Madigan
    Former Ireland fly-half on Premier Sports

    You need depth, particularly at this time of the season and Leo (Cullen) will be delighted with how his team performed with so many changes.

    He will have some good selection headaches going forward.

  4. 'A good away performance'published at 21:57 BST 17 April

    FT: Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Leinster head coach Leo Cullen speaking to Premier Sports:

    "The guys prepared well all week and were excited to get stuck in here today.

    "I thought Sam (Prendergast) was excellent and we played a good brand of rugby to put Ulster on the back foot.

    "It was a good away performance and win."

  5. Postpublished at 21:52 BST 17 April

    FT: Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    That win leapfrogs Leinster into third and they are now just four points off top spot Glasgow, albeit having played a game more.

    Ulster are four points further back in fourth and may start looking over their shoulder in their quest for the top four.

  6. 'Always a tough challenge against Ulster'published at 21:49 BST 17 April

    FT: Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw speaking to Premier Sports:

    "It is always a very tough challenge coming up here and for me personally to test myself against Stuart McCloskey who is probably the best centre in Ireland right now.

    "We knew when we went up 29-0 that it still wasn't going to be plain sailing and knew we would have to hold off an Ulster fightback. We are delighted to be able to do that."

  7. Postpublished at 21:45 BST 17 April

    FT: Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Stephen Ferris
    Former Ireland and Ulster flanker on Premier Sports

    Sam Prendergast led that team really well. He looked comfortable and didn't look flustered.

    He has had some criticism recently but he was really good tonight.

  8. 'Special feeling to win in Belfast'published at 21:44 BST 17 April

    FT: Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Man of the match Sam Prendergast speaking to Premier Sports:

    "It's a special feeling to win here. The first 50, 60 minutes in particular were brilliant and the pack gave us a great platform to work from.

    "Rugby is a pretty fickle game at times but we never lost belief in ourselves. We put pressure on ourselves during the week to get out in front but we knew that Ulster wouldn't lie down."

  9. Full-timepublished at 21:38 BST 17 April

    Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    What a game. Ulster come all the way back from 0-29 down early in the second half but, ultimately, come up short for either a try or losing bonus point.

    Richie Murphy will be disappointed to be so far behind and give themselves too much to do but their second half display will fill them with confidence.

    There are plenty of Ulster injuries which will be a concern but we will have to let the dust settle to see the extent of them.

  10. Postpublished at 21:38 BST 17 April

    Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Tensions spill over in front of the benches as Jimmy O'Brien absolutely folds Zac Ward with a big - but clean - hit,

    Leinster have a penalty due to Werner Kok's initial reaction to that tackle.

  11. Postpublished at 21:36 BST 17 April

    Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Jarno Augustus gets away in space this time but Ciaran Frawley makes a brave hit in open space to stop him.

    He was more like a speed bump but it did the job and Leinster have now scrambled the ball away. We are into the final minute here as Robbie Henshaw is now in some discomfort.

    Leinster look like they will hang on but goodness me they have been made to work for it.

  12. Postpublished at 21:34 BST 17 April

    Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Jarno Augustus makes headway down the right but gets smashed by a couple of blue shirts.

    Scott Wilson has heavy strapping on his ankle and can barely move but Ulster have nobody to replace him. Meanwhile, Jimmy O'Brien has his head bandaged. This has been so attritional and it's like the walking wounded.

    A proper old-fashioned inter-pro!

  13. Postpublished at 21:30 BST 17 April

    Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    A loose Leinster pass forces Hugo Keenan to put boot to ball which leads to a bit of kick tennis. Eventually, Jacob Stockdale has had enough of that and puts the head down.

    Leinster win the ball back as Ulster are far too loose at the ruck and Sam Prendergast puts the ball into the corner to give his side some much-needed territory.

  14. Postpublished at 21:26 BST 17 April

    Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    A big turnover from Leinster as Rabah Slimani makes a big hit and, assisted by Brian Deeny, win the ruck penalty.

    Sam Prendergast clears the ball away over the halfway line but they are certainly in protection mode, which even 20 minutes ago, was not on the radar.

  15. Postpublished at 21:23 BST 17 April

    Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Into the last ten minutes in Belfast. Can Ulster do the unthinkable and come all the way back to win?!

    Give us a thumbs up if you think they can!

  16. Postpublished at 21:23 BST 17 April

    Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Leinster go through the phases just outside the 22 but Ulster hold firm and, eventually, Rabah Slimani gives a forward pass.

    Hard but patient Ulster defending pays off.

  17. Red cardpublished at 21:20 BST 17 April

    Ulster 21-29 Leinster

    Even better news for Ulster as Max Deegan's sin bin is upgraded to a 20-minute red. The hosts have taken full advantage of the man advantage and will have longer to do so now!

  18. try

    Converted Try Ulster 21-29 Leinsterpublished at 21:16 BST 17 April

    Zac Ward (Doak con)

    Wow, wow, wow what a try! What a game! Jacob Stockdale takes a fabulous high ball on his own 22 and off Ulster go.

    Dave McCann is hanging out wide and he puts the after-burners on and beats a pair of Leinster defenders. He gives a perfectly-timed and perfectly-weighted pass to Zac Ward who scorches home untouched.

    Nathan Doak converts again and the hosts have come from nowhere and are right back in this one with all of the momentum.

  19. try

    Converted Try Ulster 14-29 Leinsterpublished at 21:13 BST 17 April

    Zac Ward (Doak con)

    Ulster do indeed take advantage of the extra space as they go wide left with good hands putting Zac Ward over.

    Nathan Doak converts well again as the Ward brothers are single-handedly pulling Ulster back into this one!

  20. Sin-binpublished at 21:12 BST 17 April

    Ulster 7-29 Leinster

    It is Leinster who now go down to 14 as Max Deegan takes Werner Kok out in the air and will take a seat for ten minutes at least as it will be reviewed.

    Leinster were clinical with their man advantage just after half-time. Can Ulster do the same?