Leinster 20 – 12 Connacht


Jamie Osborne and Charlie Tector cross for first-half tries as Leinster beat Connacht 20-12 at the Aviva Stadium; Oisin Dowling and Shane Jenning crossed in the second half to set up a big finish but Leinster held on to make it 10 wins from 10 in all competitions this season

Last updated: 21/12/24 22:26

Charlie Tector was congratulated after crossing for Leinster's second try

Charlie Tector was congratulated after crossing for Leinster's second try

United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster made it 10 wins from 10 in all competitions but had to work hard to beat Connacht 20-12 at the Aviva Stadium.

Tries from Andrew Osborne and Charlie Tector put Leinster 14-0 up at half-time, although they should have been booked more for Connacht center Shane Jennings.

After watching Ross Byrne kick home a penalty, Connacht capitalized on Lee Barron's error to make it a five-point game, with Oisin Dowling and Jennings slotting over.

Mack Hansen grew in influence for the Westerners, but a poor final 20 minutes ended with Leinster scrum-half Byrne scoring a penalty in the 79th minute.

With 13 changes from last week, Leo Cullen's men applied the early pressure. Connacht dug in defensively, with Bundee Aki and Jennings coming up with key plays.

On nineteen minutes, Byrne capitalized on a quick move from a largely unreliable Leinster line to send Osborne on a run. Byrne was converted.

David Nucifora was widely recognized as the architect of a decade of Irish rugby success. Now he has been tasked with doing it again with Scotland

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David Nucifora was widely recognized as the architect of a decade of Irish rugby success. Now he has been tasked with doing it again with Scotland

David Nucifora was widely recognized as the architect of a decade of Irish rugby success. Now he has been tasked with doing it again with Scotland

Jennings then saw yellow for a late tackle on Luke McGrath and Connacht's midfield was opened up again. Barrett neatly slotted Tector into the goal and Byrne converted.

Connacht briefly gained momentum with the running of Paul Boyle and Josh Ioane, until the latter had to go off injured.

Darragh Murray's ability to steal Leinster's lineout was a big positive for the visitors, along with wins from Shamus Hurley-Langton.

Playing into the wind on the restart, Byrne extended the lead to 17 points but Connacht responded well.

Leinster's repeated penalties saw substitute Barron in the sin bin in the 51st minute and the resulting penalty tap saw Dowling go over.

Hurley-Langton and Hansen provided extra spark and with Leinster increasingly constricted in defence, Jennings was sent behind the posts. Forde's conversion closed the gap to 17-12.

Connacht captain Cian Prendergast held off Barron superbly, denying him a sure try on 70 minutes.

Jimmy O'Brien was then penalized for bringing Hansen into the air to give the visitors hope, but it was Byrne who had the final say for the best players.





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