Preview: Bulls vs Leinster

The Bulls stopped the rot in spectacular fashion last week as they hammered Zebre to claim their first win in five games in the United Rugby Championship. They scored 78 points in that encounter but this will be a far trickier game for them to navigate as they take on Leinster.

Now 23 games unbeaten after a narrow win over the Lions last week, the Irish side continue to excel and they have to be fancied to show their quality to land yet another victory.

Overall URC record: Played 2, Leinster won 1, Bulls won 1.

Did you know?

– The Bulls were the last team to beat Leinster in the URC, in June 2022.

– The Bulls’ win against Zebre Parma last weekend ended a four-match losing streak. However, their 78-point haul was the most they’ve ever scored in a URC match.

– Leinster haven’t lost in the league in 17 matches, a streak which began precisely at the start of this season.

– Kurt-Lee Arendse made six offloads at the weekend – more than any other player and the second-highest total achieved in a match this season.

– Johan Goosen scored more points than any other player in round 17. His 23-point tally was the third highest in a single match this season. He also kicked a 50:22.

– Elrigh Louw made the most carries last weekend, a total of 17. He has also made the most contact metres in the league so far this season (216).

– Of the players in the URC yet to miss a tackle, James Ryan and Josh van der Flier have made the most: 76 and 64 respectively.

– Luke McGrath has forced more pressure errors with his kicking than any other player (nine). 65 of his 80 kicks in play have been box kicks. As a team, Leinster has retained a league-high 70 of their kicks in play.

– Scott Penny has made the most low tackles – below the waist – in the league (93). 63% of his tackles have been low.