Leinster and Ulster clashed in a big inter-pro showdown on Saturday evening. It was another acid test for Richie Murphy's side who have endured a turbulent season.
The hosts went into the game in formidable form, having humbled Glasgow Warriors in the Investec Champions Cup last weekend. Leo Cullen's side romped to a 52-0 victory in that game, and were = hoping to continue that form into the United Rugby Championship.
Indeed, they have suffered just one defeat all season, that came against the Bulls on March 22. But they sit comfortably at the top of the URC table.
Ulster have previously proved they can raise their game against Leinster, and Murphy was hoping they could produce another rousing performance at Aviva Stadium.
Check out our updates below to see how the game unfolded...
Key Events
FT | Leinster 41-17 Ulster
TRY!! Leinster 41-17 Ulster
TRY!! Leinster 36-17 Ulster
TRY!! Leinster 36-10 Ulster
TRY!! Leinster 29-10 Ulster
KEY EVENT
FT | Leinster 41-17 Ulster
All over at Aviva.
Ulster were on the attack but eventually knocked on, and Leinster kick it out.
Convincing win in the end for the URC leaders.
KEY EVENT
TRY!! Leinster 41-17 Ulster
That man Dan Sheehan completes his hat-trick.
Not bad considering he started the game on the bench.
He picked uo possessioin about 10 yards out and barged his way over the line.
Prendergast slices his conversion well wide.
Gareth Fullerton
TMO check
There was a check there after the try.
But it has received the green light.
It stands.
KEY EVENT
TRY!! Leinster 36-17 Ulster
Ulster score another try.
David McCann finally gets over the line following a good attack from the visitors.
Murphy hit the crossfield kick to Stockdale who did well before McCann touched down.
Murphy lands the conversion.
KEY EVENT
TRY!! Leinster 36-10 Ulster
Dan Sheehan scores his second and Leinster's sixth try of the match.
They won Ulster's lineout and filtered it right and then back into the middle, and Sam Prendergast tipped the ball to Sheehan who dived over.
Prendergast adds the conversion.
Gareth Fullerton
Great work
Leinster go from their own '22 to inside Ulster terriroty.
Great counter attack and some neat kicking.
Gareth Fullerton
Match action
KEY EVENT
TRY!! Leinster 29-10 Ulster
What a try for Leinster in the 58th minute.
Dan Sheehan scores in the corner, but it came from the magic of Tommy O'Brien whose vision led to him kicking it wide to the corner for Sheehan to collect and score.
Frawley misses the extras.
Gareth Fullerton
Brilliant defence
Ulster are camped on the Leinster line, but the 14 men of Leinster hold firm and eventually win the penalty which they celebrate like a try.
Gareth Fullerton
Chance for Ulster
They have a lineout close to the Leinster line, but Tom Stewart does two motions with the throw, resulting in a Leinster free.
Poor.
Gareth Fullerton
Leinster changes
They are able to bring on Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan. and Tadhg Furlong.
Not bad, eh?
Gareth Fullerton
Ulster change
Tom Stewart came on for Rob Herring at the break.
KEY EVENT
TRY!! Leinster 24-10 Ulster
Leinster turn the screw, with Ulster down to 14 men.
They had the penalty advantage inside Ulster's '22 and Jamie Osborne produced a lovely dummy pass before sending it right to Garry Ringrose who dived over unopposed in the corner.
There was a TMO check to see if there was a forward pass in the build-up but referee happy it went backwards.
Frawley drags his conversion wide.
Gareth Fullerton
Away we go again
Second half has kicked off in Dublin.
KEY EVENT
HT | Leinster 19-10 Ulster
We reach the break at Aviva Stadium.
Leinster lead by nine points after a scrappy enough 40 minutes from the hosts.
Ulster will by encouraged by their first-half display but they have work to do in the second half.
KEY EVENT
PENALTY TRY!! Leinster 19-10 Ulster
Leinster are awarded a penalty try in the 40th minute, and David McCann is sent to the sin bin for collapsing the maul.
Harsh luck on Ulster as we approach half-time.
Gareth Fullerton
TMO check
Leinster believe they have scored another try, but it is being checked.
Gareth Fullerton
Another enforced change
Ulster prop Andrew Warwick off for an HIA.
KEY EVENT
TRY!! Leinster 12-10 Ulster
Brilliant try for Ulster in the 36th minute.
Doak won the high kick, the ball was recycled by Cooney who slipped a lovely pass inside to Cormac Izuchukwu who races clear from outside Leinster's '22 to touch down.
Murphy adds the conversion.
Gareth Fullerton
Gianluca Gnecchi puts foot down
The referee isn't happy with the way the two front rows are spoiling the scrums.
He has warned them for the final time.
KEY EVENT
TRY!! Leinster 12-3 Ulster
Leinster grab their second try of the match in the 27th minute.
Was relentless pressure on the Ulster line and Thomas Clarkson eventually bundles over.
Frawley adds the extras.
Gareth Fullerton
Immense Izuchukwu
The Ulster second row leaps to disrupt the Leinster lineout which isn't working tonight.
Gareth Fullerton
Alan O'Connor not happy
He remonstrates with the referee after Leinster are awarded a penalty for Ulster not pushing straight at the scrum.
Gareth Fullerton
Lowry goes off
He is taken off the pitch on the medical cart, with his neck in a brace.
Hopefully it isn't too bad.
Gareth Fullerton
Ulster change
John Cooney is on for Lowry who continues to receive treatment.
Gareth Fullerton
Injury concern
Ulster's Mike Lowry is receiving treatment.
Appeared to go down after a challenge on Garry Ringrose.
Was a good tackle, but his head hit the hip of Ringrose. Was a heavy impact.
KEY EVENT
TRY!! Leinster 5-3 Ulster
Tommy O'Brien with some individual magic to score the opening try in the 20th minute.
Great attack from Leinster.
Ball was spread right and O'Brien found room before chipping over the head of Doak and then winning the sprint race to collect and touch down.
Ciaran Frawley misses the conversion.
Gareth Fullerton
Ulster change
Stewart Moore is away for an HIA, replaced by Wilhelm De Klerk.
Gareth Fullerton
Attack
Leinster threaten the opening try following a break from Henshaw, but Jamie Osborne knocks the ball on.
KEY EVENT
PENALTY!! Leinster 0-3 Ulster
Jack Murphy slots over the penalty in the ninth minute.
