Leinster Holds Off Ulster's Rally for Crucial Victory in Thrilling Irish Derby
Leinster clinched a vital 29-21 victory over Ulster in a thrilling United Rugby Championship clash in Belfast, overcoming a fierce second-half comeback from their rivals. The win allows Leinster to leapfrog Ulster into third place in the standings with just three rounds remaining before the play-offs. In a dominant first half, Leinster raced to a 15-0 lead, thanks to tries from James Culhane and Jimmy O'Brien. Robbie Henshaw and Sam Prendergast added to the scoreline, extending Leinster's advantage to 29-0 by the 55th minute. Despite making 12 changes from their previous match, Leinster's performance remained strong, stifling Ulster's attacking attempts early on. Ulster struggled to capitalize on limited chances, and their situation worsened with injuries to Angus Bell and James Hume. The home side finally found their rhythm in the second half, with Bryn Ward and Zac Ward scoring three tries to ignite hopes of a comeback. However, Leinster's defense held firm, even after Max Deegan received a red card for a high tackle, leaving them a man down. Ulster's late surge fell short, as they were unable to secure the two late scores needed to clinch victory. Next week, Ulster faces Munster before hosting Exeter Chiefs in the Challenge Cup semi-finals on May 2. Leinster, on the other hand, prepares to take on Benetton before a crucial match against Toulon in Dublin for a spot in the Champions Cup final.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-04-17