Match Preview: Leinster vs Ulster
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A look ahead to Ulster's first match of 2024, as Dan McFarland's side face a trip to the RDS Arena to take on Leinster Rugby in Round 9 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Ulster hope to make it three wins on the bounce in all competitions, when they take on Leinster in an interprovincial derby to kick off the new year.
Ulster ended 2023 on a high, beating French giants, Racing 92, in the Investec Champions Cup and interpro rivals, Connacht, in the URC.
The 20-19 home win against Connacht, leaves Ulster in 5th position in the table on 24 points, after five wins from the opening eight rounds.
Those two wins have helped lift the mood, after a disappointing three losses in all competitions had curbed the momentum of a positive start to the campaign.
Dan McFarland's side will face a tough task against the URC leaders, who have won 7 out of their 8 league fixtures so far.
Leo Cullen's side also picked up two great results in Europe, beating La Rochelle by 7 points away and coming out of top against in form English side, Sale Sharks, in their second fixture.
Both teams will go into the. match off the back of an interpro win, as Leinster edged Munster in their Boxing Day clash, beating Munster 3-9 at Thomond Park.
In wet conditions, Leinster controlled possession for large periods of the match and their fly-half, Harry Bryne, made the difference from the tee, as three penalties were enough to secure the victory.
Match Details
RDS Arena
Monday 1 January
5.15pm
United Rugby Championship, Round 9
Preview | Leinster (A)
2 days ago
Fixture News
A look ahead to Ulster's first match of 2024, as Dan McFarland's side face a trip to the RDS Arena to take on Leinster Rugby in Round 9 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Ulster hope to make it three wins on the bounce in all competitions, when they take on Leinster in an interprovincial derby to kick off the new year.
Ulster ended 2023 on a high, beating French giants, Racing 92, in the Investec Champions Cup and interpro rivals, Connacht, in the URC.
The 20-19 home win against Connacht, leaves Ulster in 5th position in the table on 24 points, after five wins from the opening eight rounds.
Those two wins have helped lift the mood, after a disappointing three losses in all competitions had curbed the momentum of a positive start to the campaign.
Dan McFarland's side will face a tough task against the URC leaders, who have won 7 out of their 8 league fixtures so far.
Leo Cullen's side also picked up two great results in Europe, beating La Rochelle by 7 points away and coming out of top against in form English side, Sale Sharks, in their second fixture.
Both teams will go into the. match off the back of an interpro win, as Leinster edged Munster in their Boxing Day clash, beating Munster 3-9 at Thomond Park.
In wet conditions, Leinster controlled possession for large periods of the match and their fly-half, Harry Bryne, made the difference from the tee, as three penalties were enough to secure the victory.
Match Details
🏟️ RDS Arena
📅 Monday 1 January
🕰️ 5.15pm
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 9
📺 RTE, Viaplay and URC.tv
How It Stands
Last Time Out
The last time Dan McFarland's side made the trip to the RDS, the province landed several blows on the home side, who ultimately came from behind to seal a memorable win in December 2022.
Leinster had an early setback when stalwart prop, Cian Healy, was shown a red card just after 20 minutes played. Ulster went into half time in front, after tries from Rob Herring, Kieran Treadwell and Ethan McIlroy, with Cooney adding a penalty to his two conversions. Leinster though had replied just before half-time, leaving the scoreline at 10-22.
Ulster errors after the break allowed the 14 men to gain good field position, and the home side punished Ulster. James Hume was shown a yellow after a clash of heads, before Garry Ringrose showed his quality and scored the first try of the second half. Ringrose got his second try minutes later, with Nick Timoney also receiving a yellow card after an infringement.
Ireland internationals, Andrew Porter and James Lowe added themselves to the scoresheet, with former Ulster second rower, Sam Carter, grabbing a late consolation try.
A day to forget for Ulster, who had wished to capitalise on their lead going into the break.
Players To Watch
Leinster boast a serious amount of internationally recognised talent among their roster, with a number of Leinster players featuring for Ireland in the recent Rugby World Cup and Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam win.
Back-Rower Caelan Doris, is one of the best number eights in the world, with his power, jackalling, ball-carrying and versatility across the back-row becoming big strengths.
Doris is one of the first names on the team sheet for Ireland and his province, and recently signed a new IRFU contract. Doris was named the Irish men’s Players’ Player of the Year 2023 by his peers, in recognition of his brilliant consistency.
A major threat to Ulster's defence will be Leinster's impressive full-back, Hugo Keenan, who has established himself as possibly the finest full-back in world rugby. Keenan has a brilliant engine, great pace and is superb with high balls. Keenan starts off many attacks from deep, with a great ability to break defensive lines. A starter for Ireland, Keenan is always a big try threat and his try against France in the Six Nations was nominated for the World Rugby Try of the Year.
Leinster co-captain, James Ryan, is one of the best locks in world rugby and the 27-year-old has been capped 59 times for his country. Ryan is a leader in the pack and is known for his ability in lineouts and making big defensive plays.
Did you know?
- Leinster have won their last nine first team matches since their opening weekend defeat at Glasgow in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
- The Leinstermen are undefeated at the RDS Arena since the Vodacom Bulls won there by a single point in the 2022 semi-final.
- Leinster’s solitary defeat to an Irish province since March 2022 was by a single point to Munster at Aviva Stadium in last season’s URC semi-final.
- Ulster have won just twice in twenty-one previous visits to the RDS Arena, 22-18 in March 2013 and 20-10 in November 2021.
