Ulster vs Leinster LIVE score updates from Kingspan Stadium
Ulster took on Leinster in a huge interpro derby on Saturday night. Richie Murphy's side knew victory could earn them a play-off spot this season, and qualification for next season's Champions Cup.
And that's exactly what they did as the hosts ran out winners by a score of 23-21 thanks to John Cooney slotting over a last-gasp long-range penalty. Tries from Rob Herring and Jacob Stockdale also contributed to a vital Ulster victory in what was a tense Irish derby, with Cooney kicking both conversions and two other penalties to go with his match-winning strike.
Leinster, who led for most of the game at Kingspan Stadium, took a losing bonus point and have assured themselves of a top-four finish a week before their European Champions Cup final clash with Toulouse.
TeamsUlster: Mike Lowry; Ethan McIlroy, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (capt), Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson, Matty Rea, Stewart Moore, Andy Warwick, Harry Sheridan, Nathan Doak, Jude Postlethwaite.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Tommy O'Brien, Jimmy O'Brien, Charlie Ngatai, Rob Russell; Harry Byrne, Cormac Foley; Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher, Michael Ala'alatoa; Brian Deeny, James Ryan (capt); Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan.
Replacements: John McKee, Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Ross Molony, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Sam Prendergast, Ben Brownlee.
21:27KEY EVENT
Ulster claim a massive win!
That's twice they've beaten Leinster this season.
Superb performance and that's four wins in a row now in the URC.
21:26KEY EVENT
Ulster lead in the 79th minute.
John Cooney with a long-range penalty!
21:23Gareth Fullerton
Ulster still trail by a single point.
Tense finish at Ravenhill.
21:11Gareth Fullerton
Visitors enjoying plenty of territory in the last few moments but Ulster's defence has been good.
Fifteen minutes left and it's a one-point game.
21:00KEY EVENT
Jacob Stockdale races 70 yards to touch down for Ulster in the 58th minute!
Brilliant interception from Harry Byrne's loose pass and there was no stopping Stockdale.
Cooney adds a superb conversion from wide left.
20:56KEY EVENT
Michael Ala'alatoa barges his way over the line to extend Leinster's lead in the 53rd minute.
Cane from a lineout, the ball was set up and Ala'alatoa stayed low to squeeze in.
Harry Byrne adds the conversion.
20:44KEY EVENT
John Cooney slots over a penalty in the 44th minute to cut the gap to just one point.
20:40Gareth Fullerton
Second half has kicked off in Belfast.
20:29KEY EVENT
Good half from Ulster but they trail at the break.
They led through Rob Herring's try, but Leinster came back with tries from Charlie Ngatai and Cormac Foley.
John Cooney landed a penalty to make it a four-point game at the interval.
20:17KEY EVENT
Ulster cut the deficit with a John Cooney penalty in the 32nd minute.
20:15KEY EVENT
A Leinster break from the halfway line gives the visitors the lead in the 27th minute.
The ball was fed left to Hugo Keenan who broke Cooney's tackle and popped it inside to Cormac Foley who raced clear to touch down between the posts.
Byrne adds the extras.
20:09Gareth Fullerton
This time it's Will Addison, and at one stage it was three against one.
Addison takes it on himself but is held up.
He had two players outside him.
20:08KEY EVENT
Will Connors blocks an attempted clearance from Billy Burns and the ball falls to Will Connors who then passes it inside to Charlie Ngatai and he breaks free to touch down.
The conversion is successful from Harry Byrne.
We have a tied game.
20:05Gareth Fullerton
Rob Herring of all people kicks into the Leinster '22. Russell collects but is tackled by Cooney.
He manages to feed the ball to Keenan who kicks clear.
Ulster fans enjoyed that bit of improvisation from Herring.
19:56KEY EVENT
Ulster get the try!
Rob Herring did ground the ball to open the scoring in the 13th minute.
Pressure eventually pays off.
John Cooney nails the conversion.
19:54Gareth Fullerton
The onfield decision is a try.
But will they see enough to overrule it?
19:54Gareth Fullerton
Ulster win the lineout and get the maul going, and Rob Herring appears to touch down for a try.
They are checking the TMO once again.
19:53Gareth Fullerton
Ulster have started this game on the front foot. Crossfield kick working wonders, and they have another penalty.
Cooney kicks into the corner.
19:46Gareth Fullerton
Leinster are given the penalty.
19:46Gareth Fullerton
Will Addison with the break and he feeds John Cooney, but the scrumhalf cut back inside and was tackled. He probably should have taken it wide.
The ball was recycled and Addison kicked it wide for Mike Lowry who was tackled by Hugo Keenan but got managed to forge his way over the line. But the referee awards Leinster a penalty for not releasing.
Now they are checking the TMO to see if he was held in the tackle.
19:43Gareth Fullerton
They have ruled that Russell and Lowry 'simultaneously' touched the ball down.
Will be a goalline drop-out for Leinster.
19:42Gareth Fullerton
Ulster think they have scored, but it's gone to the TMO.
A Leinster clearance was blocked by Mike Lowry who chased the ball down and claims he touched it over the line for a try.
It was a race between Lowry and Rob Russell whose kick had been blocked.
19:37Gareth Fullerton
Away we go at Ravenhill.
19:36Gareth Fullerton
Brilliant crowd at Ravenhill tonight, and the sun is shining.
Lovely conditions.
17:42Gareth Fullerton
Ulster 11/10
Leinster 5/6
Draw 19/1
17:41Gareth Fullerton
The game is being shown live on Premier Sports with coverage starting at 7.15pm. The game is also being shown on TG4. Premier Sports subscribers can stream the game on the Premier Sports website.
17:37KEY EVENT
Welcome to our live blog.
It is a big game in Belfast tonight as Ulster host Leinster in the United Rugby Championship.
Leinster currently sit second in the table while Ulster are sixth.
Richie Murphy's side will be desperate to finish in that top eight and secure a play-off spot this season.
We will bring you live score updates from the Kingpan Stadium, so stick with us.
