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URC: Leinster roll on against Ulster as Munster find a way to tame Lions

Updated / Monday, 2 Dec 2024 13:11
Alex Kendellen celebrates after Munster got back to winning ways
Alex Kendellen celebrates after Munster got back to winning ways

The return of the United Rugby Championship went under the radar over the weekend.

There was the small matter the IRFU's 150th anniversary match against Australia, a Women’s Euro play-off for the soccer team, while the country went to the ballot across a hectic weekend.

Leinster, naturally, went about their business in the usual manner.

A crowd of 16,491 turned out at the Kingspan for the round seven interpro to see Leo Cullen’s side extend their lead at the top of the table.

Having beaten Leinster twice last season, Richie Murphy’s side would have expected to face a motivated visiting side and just about deserved their 13-10 lead at the break with Ben Carson and Luke McGrath scoring a try apiece.

Leinster lock Brian Deeny was sin-binned in the 12th minute after a head collision with Aidan Morgan.

There’s no bunker review in the championship but the second row can consider himself lucky. Reds have been given for similar incidents.

It was a physical affair with five players going off injured in the first half alone.

But Leinster were able to introduce RG Snyman after the break and tries from Jordan Larmour, Jimmy O’Brien and James Culhane secured the bonus point in a 27-20 win.

"It was pretty ugly though at times," said Cullen, whose side are next in action against Bristol Bears on Sunday.

"It wasn’t perfect, but we will take it.

"The first half was pretty scratchy but there was definitely a big improvement in the second half. We were a hell of a lot better."

There were positive soundings last week about Jordie Barrett's involvement in the Champions Cup this weekend and the New Zealand centre was used as a waterboy (above) on Friday.

Pat Lam’s Bears, meanwhile, are top of the Premiership following a scintillating 48-24 win away to Harlequins on Friday, former Ireland and Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion scoring the third of six tries.

That’s set up to be a right battle at Ashton Gate.

Ulster are away to European champions and Top14 leaders Toulouse on Sunday evening.

Munster, under interim head coach Ian Costello, got back to winning ways after three defeats in a row, a run that led to the departure of Graham Rowntree and Andy Kyriacou.

Their 17-10 win over the Lions was hard-fought and much-needed for the Thomond Park faithful who have had their patience tested over the last two months.

Thaakir Abrahams, who was injured on just his second outing with Munster, returned and grabbed his first try for his new team, a finish that bore an uncanny resemblance to many Cheslin Kolbe or Kurt-Lee Arendse scores.

The 25-year-old's assist for Shane Daly’s score just after the break was even better.

Emerging Ireland captain Alex Kendellen got the crucial third try. The result sees Munster move up to 11th on 17 points.

Player of the match Jack O’Donoghue said the past few weeks have been tough.

"It’s been a bit turbulent, but, as players, we wanted to come out here and show the crowd we are all still together," said the 30-year-old.

"It was a scrappy game, but we stuck in and got the win. It was really important.

"We were under no illusions where we sat in the log table. This will give us confidence and it takes a bit of pressure off us."

They begin their Champions Cup Pool 3 campaign against Stade Francais in Limerick next Saturday (live on RTÉ).

The Parisians are struggling in the Top14, sitting in 12th place following yesterday’s 21-13 loss at Bayonne.

Elsewhere, Connacht’s return to action ended with a heavy defeat to the Bulls in Galway. Pete Wilkins side found themselves four tries and a man down in the 54th minute.

Back row forward Sean Jansen was sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 21st minute and while David Hawkshaw and Caelan Blade scored late tries after the visitors were also reduced to 14, with Celimpilo Gumede red card, they couldn’t rally for a bonus point.

"We didn't match the intensity they brought in that first 10 minutes," back row Conor Oliver told Galway Bay fm.

"We need to be better at the start of games, especially when you play these big South African teams.

"We're not shying away from that and we're going to work on that for the next game."

Next up are Zebre at the Dexcom Stadium in the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

The Italians come in off the back of a second win of the season, 22-17 over Ospreys, and sit second from bottom of the URC standings.

On the Sevens front, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (above) became just the third woman to score 200 SVNS Series tries.

The Tipp native scored a brace against Fiji and then three against China in the pool stages of the opening round of the series in Dubai at the weekend.

"It’s pretty surreal, I’m not going to lie," said the 29-year-old, who also plays for the 15s team.

"I scored my hundredth here (in Dubai in 2021) as well. What a special moment.

"Just thank you to everyone who has helped me along my journey. A big shoutout to my husband, he’s in the crowd today with his family, and it’s a really special moment for us."

Ireland finished sixth after losing to New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Béibhinn Parsons made a return from injury, while Hannah Clarke and Robyn O’Connor made their debuts.

The men’s side finished in 11th place, with Josh Kenny, Tadhg Brophy, Rory Woods, James Dillon, and Nicky Greene all making their first international appearances.

Round two takes place in South Africa this coming weekend.

Watch Munster v Stade Francais in the Champions Cup on Saturday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport

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