Henshaw stars as Leinster edge Ulster at RDS
Updated / Friday, 14 May 2021
23:05
Leinster celebrate their third try of the evening
Tries from Lions duo Jack Conan and Robbie Henshaw did the damage for Leinster in a hard-earned 21-17 win over Ulster at the RDS Arena.
Following Munster s defeat to Connacht, Leinster are now right back in the hunt for a place in next month’s north-versus-south Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup final.
An intense first half finished at seven points apiece, Cian Healy cancelling out Robert Baloucoune’s opening try with both defences thoroughly tested throughout.
Following a Billy Burns penalty, the hosts kicked it up a gear with replacement Conan and player of the match Henshaw both crossing before Craig Gilroy’s late score.
Connacht will sense opportunity to record rare double against wounded Leinster
Andy Friend’s side impressed against Ulster last time out but struggle for consistency. By Ciarán Kennedy Saturday 8 May 2021, 7:00 AM 3 hours ago 7,128 Views 2 Comments
Connacht lock Gavin Thornbury.
Image: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
WE’VE SEEN THIS situation before. Connacht coming off a big win, stressing the need to back it up.
And yes, beating Ulster in the Rainbow Cup should be seen as a big win, particularly given the nature of that victory up in Belfast two weeks ago, recovering a game that looked lost to snatch it at the death. Andy Friend’s side have come on the wrong side of those situations too often this season.
Updated at 17.05
LEINSTER HAVE CONTINUED their stream of new contract announcements this week by confirming new deals for Hugo Keenan, Jack Conan and Scott Penny.
The province have also announced that Academy player David Hawkshaw has signed his first senior contract with the club.
Despite making his Leinster debut back in 2017, Keenan has kicked on to a new level and made a real breakthrough in the past 12 months, winning his first Ireland cap against Italy in October of last year.
With veteran fullback Rob Kearney moving to Australia’s Western Force, the versatile Keenan – who can play at fullback or on the wing – has grown into a key figure at both provincial and international level.
Key quotes
Tadhg
Furlong (Leinster Rugby): “If we look back to 2018, both home and away, it was tough rugby and you know, I suppose we luckily came out on the right side of the result both times. Since then, they have gone on and really pushed on, obviously winning it last year, doubling up with the Premiership as well, obviously a quality team. Obviously Sandy Park is a fortress for them, we have a big task on our hands at the weekend.”
Rob Baxter (Exeter Chiefs): “Leinster were the first team we played in the Heineken Cup in 2012 and there was a fair bit of underestimation from them… they sneaked through 9-6 over in Ireland. Since then we’ve met a few times and they’ve come out on top, but we’ve moved on to a degree. I’m not saying we’re meeting on a level playing field, but it’s far more level than to talk about past history too much.”
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Domestic bliss but European woes
Leinster s dominance of the domestic game cannot be called into question. Their victory over Munster in last month s Guinness Pro14 Grand Final gave them their fourth title in a row, and their sixth championship in nine seasons.
Europe has been a different story. They are, it must be pointed out, still the joint most successful team in the history of the Champions Cup having won the continent s premier club competition on four occasions.
Their recent relationship with the competition, has to some extent, been defined by a six-minute period before half-time in the 2019 final against Saracens. After making a dream start to lead 10-0 after 34 minutes, they went in at the break all square.