Sunday Snippets

Leinster defeat Ulster in Irish derby

Leinster defeated Ulster for the fifth time in as many games yesterday at the RDS in a 24-11 win moved them ahead of Ulster in the table into the play-off spots. Both sides knew how crucial a win would be with Munster and Glasgow slipping up and it was Leinster who came out on top in a scoreline that is a bit flattering to the reigning champions. Ulster came out of the blocks early on and had the majority of the territory and possession but it mattered little with the scores level at 6-6 with just over 30 minutes gone with Madigan and Pienaar successful from the boot for both sides. Leinster were able to take the lead before the break with Dan Tuohy penalised for illegally coming through on Isaac Boss on the ruck and he was sent to the bin and Madigan split the posts to give his side a 9-6 lead at the break. After a less than convincing first half Leinster started the second half brilliantly and had a penalty 5 metres from the Ulster tryline. Just as Madigan was shaping up to kick to the corner he took the penalty quickly and dived for the line and caught Ulster off guard touching down for the first try of the game. He added the conversion and Leinster had a 16-6 lead. There was still plenty of time for Ulster to mount a comeback and they quickly replied with a try of their own with Wiehaan Herbst touching down for his first try in a Ulster jersey. Pienaar was unable to add the conversion and with 30 minutes left in the game Leinster led 16-11. For the remainder game Leinster were able to dominate possession and Madigan gave Leinster a 19-11 lead in the 60th minute. Ulster did their best to try and force another score to at least secure a losing bonus point but it was Leinster who had the final say with Man of the Match Jack Conan going over in the final play of the game. This will go down as a huge result for Leinster with Ospreys also losing to Scarlets with Leinster the only side in the top four picking up a win this weekend. As for Ulster they slip to 5th with still all to play for in their attempts to make it into the play-off spots at the end of the season.

White starts Montpellier reign with win

Jake White got off to a fine start as Montpellier head coach as his side were able to pick up only their second win in ten games as they defeated reigning champions Toulon 16-12 at The Altrad Stadium. After Fabien Galthie was sacked last week White would of preferred an easier game for his first match in charge but he was able to get the most out of his players with the win moving them up to 7th in the table with hope of a play-off spot at the end of the season still very much alive. It was very much a game that would be decided between the two packs and it was the Montpellier scrum who came out on top. The scores were level at 6-6 but it was Alex Tulou try that proved to be the crucial score of the game with Ben Lucas also adding the conversion and a penalty to give his side a 16-9 lead. Leigh Halfpenny was able to to make it 16-12 with 8 minutes left in the game but the Montpellier’s defence held firm and were able to hold out for a precious win and the start of what could be a dominant Montpellier side under the leadership of South African Jake White.