The Irish provinces recorded a clean sweep in round 11 of the BKT United Rugby Championship and all four now sit inside the play-off places.
Munster got the weekend off to a winning start with a 45-29 victory over Zebre. Connacht were too good for the Scarlets at the Dexcom Stadium, claiming a bonus-point 26-10 win over Scarlets.
Leinster were pushed hard by Cardiff but stay top of the league thanks to a 33-20 success, while Ulster began the post-Dan McFarland era with a 49-26 victory over Dragons.
Here's our team of the week.
15. Mike Haley (Munster)
The full-back was involved in much of Munster's back play and made 178 metres off 11 carries. Showed a nice turn of pace to get their second try. Named player of the match. Will be important down the home stretch. Will Addison had a good game for Ulster.
14. Rob Russell (Leinster)
The winger spoke last week about getting more involvements and did exactly that. Had two turnovers and two clean breaks to his name and ran a great support line for his early try. Liam Turner also impressed.
13. Alex Nankivell (Munster)
A regular on our team of the week, the New Zealander again made lots of hard yards and post-contact metres as he beat 11 defenders. Found Sean O’Brien with a super pass for Munster’s bonus try and set Shane Daly free for their last.
12. Cathal Forde (Connacht)
Clear man of the match in a far from perfect win over the Scarlets. The 22-year-old had 10 successful carries and beat six defenders. The Galway man broke the line on a number of occasions, which should have led to more tries but for Connacht’s sloppiness.
11. Mike Lowry (Ulster)
Scored two tries, made 58 metres, got three offloads away and won a turnover, it was a busy night for the one-cap Ireland international on the wing. Took his tries well, coming off his wing to get on the end of the impressive Jude Postlewaite’s offload for the second.
10. Tony Butler (Munster)
Having recently signed a senior contract, the academy player had a fine outing alongside Craig Casey. Brought the ball to the line and linked well throughout. Kicked five conversions.
9. Craig Casey (Munster)
Took his chance to impress after getting the week off from Ireland camp. Kept up a high tempo and was a constant threat with ball in hand. Quick thinking and clever pass for Antoine Frisch’s try. John Cooney kicked seven of seven conversion attempts for Ulster.
1. Michael Milne (Leinster)
The Birr man came on as a first-half replacement for Jack Boyle and proceeded to pick up the player of the match award. Scored two close-range tries and had nine carries in total.
2. Eoin de Buitléar (Connacht)
The Galway native capped off a first start for the province with a well taken first-half try and was busy around the pitch and solid at the set-pieces. Tom Stewart put in a big shift for Ulster as well.
3. Jack Aungier (Connacht)
Impressive performance in the loose from the tighthead, who had direct assists for Connacht’s first and third tries. Thomas Clarkson impressed for Leinster, unlucky not to get on scoresheet, while Tom O'Toole carried well for Ulster.
4. Niall Murray (Connacht)
A nuisance on opposition throw and claimed his own ball, too. Was involved in the build-up to De Buitléar’s try and was top-tackler for the Westerners with 10.
5. RG Snyman (Munster)
Makes it looks like man against boys when fit and the South African was superb over his 54-minute shift. Always takes more than one to bring him down and still capable of getting the ball away. Superb assist for Ruadhán Quinn’s opener and took his own try well.
6. Will Connors (Leinster)
The Ireland international was superb for Leinster, getting multiple unlikely offloads away and close at hand for three of the visitors’ tries and earned a important penalty from a counter-ruck. Munster’s Ruadhán Quinn worth a mention for two tries.
7. Dave McCann (Ulster)
Back up and running after an injury lay-off, McCann, when fit, has been one of Ulster’s top performers this season. Got on the scoresheet and had an assist for Lowry. Had most successful carries for the hosts with six. Was on the blindside but included here at 7.
8. Sean Jansen (Connacht)
The New Zealander was prominent throughout Connacht’s hard-fought win and found himself in the right place to grab a brace. Nick Timoney and Max Deegan scored tries in fine outings for Ulster and Leinster, respectively.
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