Round nine of the BKT United Rugby Championship saw Connacht end their losing streak and Ulster get a rare win in Dublin.
Pete Wilkins' side overcame Munster 22-9 at the Sportsground, while Leinster lost out 22-21 to Dan McFarland's men at the RDS.
Here's our team of the week.
15. JJ Hanrahan (Connacht)
Moved seamlessly to full-back after an early injury to Cathal Forde. The former Munster man kicked five penalties and a conversion, missing just one kick during the game.
14. Shayne Bolton (Connacht)
Didn't have much opportunity with ball in hand, but still registered an offload. Was solid under the high ball in incredibly difficult conditions.
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
Strong showing from the Ireland centre, who carried straight and hard and kept hold of the ball well in contact.
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht)
Standout centre on display in Galway as he put in another big shift. Was superb in defence as he shut down the Munster threat throughout. Connacht needed their talisman and he delivered.
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
A difficult day for wingers but Stockdale was best at the RDS. Took his try calmly when it would have been easy to knock on. Made himself available for clearances, despite suffering an injury early on.
10. Billy Burns (Ulster)
SECOND TRY FOR ULSTER - Billy Burns with another deft kick through for Jacob Stockdale to touch down
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) January 1, 2024
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Named player of the match, Burns produced one of his best performances in years. The out-half set up all three tries for Ulster, executing two cross-kicks to perfection.
9. John Cooney (Ulster)
Had a great battle with counterpart Jamison Gibson-Park in conditions where the scrum-halves were going to be prominent. Kicked seven points, including a superb touchline conversion that proved vital in the end.
1. Steven Kitshoff (Ulster)
Part of an Ulster front row that won a couple of scrum penalties and was prominent in the loose on both sides of the ball.
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster)
LEINSTER TRY - Brilliant maul from Leinster and Dan Sheehan gets the all-important touch. Conversion added and Ulster now lead 22-21 #URC
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) January 1, 2024
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Battled hard on a dirty night in Dublin. Grabbed a trademark try and could have had another but for a John Cooney tackle on the line.
3. Tom O'Toole (Ulster)
Shaded the battle with Cian Healy and later Jack Boyle. Carried and distributed well. Busy shift. Munster's John Ryan carried well in a 70-minute shift, too.
4. Joe McCarthy (Leinster)
Another hard-carrying performance from the young lock, who relished the conditions. A late addition to the starting XV, McCarthy beat five defenders over eight successful carries.
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster)
Loved the battle with Ireland rival McCarthy and Jason Jenkins and led by example for his team. Appeared to tackle everything that moved.
6. Cian Prendergast (Connacht)
The Ireland flanker was Connacht’s top runner with ball in hand, making 45 metres and one clean break. Back row partner Jarrad Butler worth a mention for 21 tackles.
7. Caelan Doris (Leinster)
The Leinster number 8, captaining the team for the first time in the absence of James Ryan, gets in the back row at 7 here for his hard running off the base of the scrum, made 43 metres and racked up nine tackles.
8. Nick Timoney (Ulster)
Ball on a six pence from Billy Burns to Nick Timoney, who gets in for a second try for Ulster against Leinster #URC
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) January 1, 2024
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Just pipped for man of the match by Burns, the back row is in the form of his life. Took his two tries brilliantly, showing incredible pace to beat the Leinster defence for the first. Made 21 tackles.
