The Christmas interprovincial derbies took centre stage in round 8 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Ulster edged out Connacht in Belfast 20-19, while Leinster returned from Munster with the win after a hard-fought 9-3 victory.
Here's our team of the week.
15. Simon Zebo (Munster)
Another fine outing on return from injury. Made 49 metres with ball in hand, beat three defenders and threw two offloads. Made a try-saving tackle on Luke McGrath. Name-checked by Bernard Jackman in analysis as an outside shot for Ireland.
14. Shayne Bolton (Connacht)
The winger beat five defenders and bagged himself a try, coming off his wing and taking a brilliant line that caused confusion in the Ulster defence. Unlucky not to score at the end of Mack Hansen's kick in the first half.
13. Bundee Aki (Connacht)
Another busy shift by the inside centre who takes the outside berth on the team. Ran straight and hard all night and took his try in typical fashion, using his strength to barge over.
12. Alex Nankivell (Munster)
The New Zealander put in what’s becoming a trademark showing. Makes hard yards after contact and protects the ball well. A real nightmare to tackle. Won a turnover penalty. Possibly an injury concern for New Year’s Day against Connacht.
11. Jordan Larmour (Leinster)
One of Leinster’s most consistent players. Made a series of evasive runs, always on the look-out for a gap. Beat five defenders and had a couple of offloads and gets his place on this week’s side. Jacob Stockdale impressed for Ulster.
10. Harry Byrne (Leinster)
Harry Byrne seals a big win for Leinster in difficult conditions at Thomond Park
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 26, 2023
📺 Post-match analysis on @RTE2 & @RTEplayer https://t.co/VgKAMJ3KiK
📱 Recap: https://t.co/5uBoTqxAE1 pic.twitter.com/YR4NSklPvc
In the end it was Byrne’s three kicks that decided a really tight affair. Put himself about and linked well with Ciarán Frawley. Had to cut his cloth given the wind and rain.
9. John Cooney (Ulster)
Marshalled the team superbly, especially the end stages, putting the pressure on Connacht when they needed a score. Kicked 10 points in a game won by one.
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster)
Another big shift from the Ireland loosehead. Enjoyed a great battle with Oli Jager at the scrum and won a couple of penalties there and had two turnovers to his name.
2. Ronán Kelleher (Leinster)
Top-tackler for Leinster with ten and missed none. Made some good ground with a trick lineout play. Lineout not perfect but conditions had to be taken into account.
3. Oli Jager (Munster)
Played his part in a ding-dong wrestle with Porter, and won a couple of penalties of his own on what was his first start for Munster.
4. Joe McCarthy (Leinster)
At the heart of Leinster’s performance in testing conditions in Limerick. Relished the battle throughout and was named player of the match. Growing with every game.
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster)
Big outing by the big man, who also picked up the man of the match award. Excellent at the set-piece, ably assisted by Kieran Treadwell.
6. Tom Ahern (Munster)
Complete nuisance at the lineout and in the loose. Really growing into a back row as Munster deal with an injury crisis. Won penalty turnovers and forced knock-ons.
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (Connacht)
Pure determination 😤
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) December 22, 2023
No one was stopping @connachtrubgy Shamus Hurley-Langton from scoring that one 💪
#BKTURC #URC | #ULSvCON pic.twitter.com/FpqI9x3q62
The Kiwi took his try superbly, beating three defenders along the touchline before showing good strength to dot down. Also won a turnover. Big shift in defence by team-mate Conor Oliver also.
8. Nick Timoney (Ulster)
The three-cap Ireland international continued his superb from, adding another try to two in the Champions Cup. Made 39 metres with ball in hand and was top tackler on the night with 17.
