Ireland stars shine as Leinster put Benetton to the sword while ...

Leinster continued with their excellent start to the 2024/25 United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign when they sealed a 35-5 victory over Benetton, while the Sharks clinched late 33-30 win over the Dragons on Saturday.

The victory means the Irish province continued their 100 per cent start to the URC season and they are currently sitting pretty at the top of the standings with a full house of points after clinching three successive bonus-point victories.

After beating Edinburgh and Dragons in the opening two rounds, Leo Cullen’s troops had the bonus point secured inside 25 minutes against a Benetton team who had lost just once at this venue in any competition since March 2023.

Leinster were awarded a penalty try in the ninth minute after Benetton pulled down a maul just short of their line, with Mirco Spagnolo receiving a yellow card as a result.

Ciaran Frawley, Jack Conan and Caelan Doris added further tries inside the next 16 minutes, the former converting all three.

Ryan Baird was then sin-binned for Leinster and Benetton, winless this season, took immediate advantage as Marco Manfredi went over, although Leonardo Marin missed the conversion.

Replacement Lee Barron added a fifth try, converted by Ross Byrne, with a minute left as Leinster made it eight matches unbeaten against Benetton.

Meanwhile, at Rodney Parade the Dragons suffered late heartache after a last-gasp Fez Mbatha try helped the Sharks to a hard-fought 33-30 URC triumph.

The Welsh region dominated the early exchanges and held a 22-12 half-time lead after tries from flanker Taine Basham, prop Chris Coleman and scrum-half Rhodri Williams, plus seven points from the boot of Lloyd Evans.

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Sharks skipper and flanker Vincent Tshituka and scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse crossed for five-pointers and had the task of chasing in the second half.

The men from Durban did that to lead with scores by centre Jurenzo Julius and wing Ethan Hooker only for their hosts to respond through Ben Carter.

However, replacement hooker Mbatha had the final say when he hammered over in the 85th minute.

The Dragons opened the scoring with a fourth-minute Evans penalty and Sharks were reduced to 14 men when flanker James Venter received a yellow card for a high tackle on Aneurin Owen.

The Welsh side made that advantage count when Wales international Basham went over from close range in the 18th minute, Evans converting, but it was soon 10-5 after captain Tshituka responded in similar fashion.

Dragons had their second after 28 minutes when Coleman crossed from a yard after the backs had cut open Sharks and another flowing move was finished off by Williams.

However, the South Africans had the final say of the half when Springbok Hendrikse was on hand to finish off after a Julius line break, Siya Masuku converting to make it 22-12.

The gap was three points five minutes after the restart when Julius finished strongly, then 26-22 to the visitors after Hooker was found by a cross-kick on the left flank.

Back came Dragons and captain Carter went over after pressure on the line, with Sharks down to 14 after lock Jason Jenkins was shown yellow for a knock-on.

Will Reed made it 30-26 with a penalty approaching the hour but Sharks piled the pressure on in the 22 at the death to steal victory.

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