Josh van der Flier scored Leinster’s solely attempt as they held on to win vastly intense festive Irish interprovincial derby at huge rivals Munster; Munster narrowed to inside 5 factors after Dan Kelly’s attempt, however could not rating once more; Referee Peter Martin booed off at Thomond Park
By Michael Cantillon
Final Up to date: 27/12/25 10:40pm
Josh van der Flier scored Leinster’s solely attempt as they held on to win an intense battle at huge rivals Munster
Leinster held on to register a feisty URC interprovincial Irish derby win towards Munster, profitable 13-8 at Thomond Park.
In a vastly bodily contest during which referee Peter Martin was booed off the pitch, Josh van der Flier scored the guests’ solely attempt within the sixth minute.
Fly-half Harry Byrne added two penalties thereafter, as Munster did not convert a wealth of territory and possession into factors with Leinster residing on the sting with the legal guidelines, however doing sufficient to keep away from censure on the night time.
Munster scored their factors by a Dan Kelly attempt to Jack Crowley penalty, however the latter missed the conversion for the rating.
Needing a attempt to win the sport and full a seasonal double over Leinster, Munster carved out a ultimate assault contained in the Leinster 22. Although they succeeded in creating area down the left, they simply couldn’t take benefit by John Hodnett and Alex Nankivell, with play ended as Rieko Ioane knocked on out of Crowley’s palms and referee Martin content material it was not deliberate.
Ulster maintain off Connacht combat again to win in Galway
In Saturday’s different Irish derby, Ulster held off a rousing second-half fightback from Connacht to shut out a hard-fought 29-24 win at Dexcom Stadium.
After Ulster fly-half Jack Murphy had been proven an early yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, Connacht took the lead within the twenty fourth minute when Finn Treacy completed off a sweeping passing transfer down the left.
After Sam Gilbert added a penalty, Ulster – crushed at Leinster final trip – turned the match round with two tries from Zac Ward, the second over within the nook throughout added time, to take a 12-10 lead into the break.
There was a flashpoint early within the second half with a number of gamers concerned in a melee after a conflict between Connacht centre Bundee Aki and Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey, which resulted in each males being proven a yellow card.
Ulster prolonged their lead within the forty seventh minute when Werner Kok raced clear earlier than they had been awarded a penalty attempt within the nook and Connacht had Joe Joyce despatched to the sin bin.
After Ulster No 8 Juarno Augustus was pressured off with what seemed like a severe leg damage, Connacht hailed themselves again into the match by a transformed attempt from Sean Jansen after which substitute Matthew Devine crashed over with three minutes left – however Murphy slotted over a late penalty to verify of the win.
