Champions Leinster staged a thrilling second-half comeback to secure a 24-20 victory over Ulster in the first festive interprovincial derby of the United Rugby Championship (URC) at the Aviva Stadium. Despite trailing 17-7 at halftime, Leo Cullen’s side used a combination of bench impact and tactical patience to overturn the deficit and claim a crucial win.

Ulster Dominate First Half

Ulster took early control of the match, capitalising on Leinster’s ill-discipline to gain territorial advantage. Werner Kok scored twice in the opening half, while Tom Stewart added a third try for Ulster before the break, giving Richie Murphy’s men a 10-point lead.

Jack Murphy’s pinpoint cross-field kick allowed Kok to pounce on a fortunate bounce for the opening try, and Stewart’s powerful running saw him evade Leinster defenders to extend Ulster’s advantage. Despite Leinster’s pressure, Ulster’s defence remained robust, frustrating the hosts throughout the first 40 minutes.

Leinster did get on the board before halftime through Rieko Ioane, marking his first URC appearance with a try following a patient buildup and a momentary juggling effort to score.

Leinster Bench Turns the Tide

The second half saw a marked change as Leinster’s bench players—Paddy McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, and Joe McCarthy—made a decisive impact. Thirteen minutes into the second half, Joshua Kenny scored in the corner, sparking momentum for the home side.

Despite a yellow card shown to James Ryan for a dangerous clear-out, Leinster continued to press. James Lowe touched down with a quarter of an hour remaining to take a narrow lead, highlighting Leinster’s resilience even while temporarily reduced to 14 men.

Winning Try Secures Victory

Ulster’s fortunes worsened when David McCann was shown a yellow card in the 71st minute for a deliberate knock-on, leaving the visitors with a player deficit in the closing stages. Five minutes from time, Leinster capitalised on the opportunity with Dan Sheehan powering over from a maul to score the decisive try. The conversion from Prendergast ensured Leinster sealed a hard-fought 24-20 victory.

Standout Performers

• Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan provided strong forward presence, particularly in the second-half mauls.
• Joshua Kenny and James Lowe were pivotal in narrowing the scoreline, showcasing Leinster’s attacking options.
• Ulster’s Werner Kok scored a first-half double, and Tom Stewart added a crucial third try, but the visitors could not maintain their early dominance.

URC Table Implications and Next Fixtures

Both teams now have four wins each, with Ulster narrowly ahead in the URC standings. Leinster will travel to Thomond Park to face Munster on 27 December, while Ulster head to Connacht on the same day.

Teams

Ulster: Stockdale; Baloucoune, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Kok; Murphy, Doak; Bell, Stewart, O’Toole, Sheridan, Irvine, McCann (YC), Timoney (c), Augustus.
Replacements: Andrew, Crean, Wilson, Hopes, Ward, McKee, Flannery, McIlroy

Leinster: Frawley; Kenny, Ioane, Tector, Lowe; Prendergast, McGrath; Boyle, G McCarthy, Slimani, Deeny, Ryan (YC), Soroka, Penny, Conan (c).
Replacements: Sheehan, P McCarthy, Furlong, J McCarthy, Deegan, Gunne, Byrne, Moloney

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)