Tommy McLoughlin – New Ross RFC
Leinster’s season ended with silverware at Croke Park as they overwhelmed the Vodacom Bulls 36–7 to secure a second successive United Rugby Championship title. Before 39,184 spectators, Leo Cullen’s side ran in five tries and turned early Bulls indiscipline into a lead the South African visitors could not recover from, bringing Leinster’s league-title total to 10.
EARLY BULLS ERRORS GIVE LEINSTER THE OPENING
The Bulls were under pressure from the opening minute when Canan Moodie was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Leinster initially failed to take advantage of their first visit to the Bulls line, but they soon found the breakthrough. A loose Bulls pass was kicked ahead by Tommy O’Brien, who won the race to the ball and touched down under the posts. Sam Prendergast converted to give Leinster an early 7–0 lead. The opening stages were not without concern for Leinster, however, as captain Caelan Doris was forced off after receiving treatment early in the game. Jack Conan came on in his place and would go on to make a major contribution.
KEENAN INSPIRES SECOND LEINSTER TRY
Leinster’s second try came after some excellent work from Hugo Keenan. The full-back cut through the Bulls defence before finding Rieko Ioane, who had to check his run before bursting through to score. Prendergast missed the conversion, but Leinster continued to cause the Bulls problems through their speed, kicking game and ability to move the visitors around the pitch. The Bulls then lost Willie le Roux to the sin-bin following another deliberate knock-on. Leinster were again ruthless with the extra man. Following sustained pressure close to the Bulls line, Conan forced his way over for Leinster’s third try. Prendergast added the conversion before kicking a straightforward penalty from in front of the posts to send Leinster into half-time with a 22–0 lead.
PRENDERGAST TAKES CONTROL AFTER THE BREAK
The Bulls needed an immediate response after the restart, but Leinster ended any real hope of a comeback when Sam Prendergast scored six minutes into the second half. The out-half had been central to Leinster’s attack throughout the evening and finished the move after a sharp passage of handling close to the Bulls line. He converted his own try to make it 29–0. Prendergast also made an important defensive intervention
during the first half when he beat Stravino Jacobs to the ball close to the Leinster line. It was a moment that summed up the effort across the side, with Leinster alert both in attack and defence. The Bulls eventually got on the scoreboard after James Lowe was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Canan Moodie crossed from close range after a lineout sequence, with Handre Pollard adding the conversion. The visitors then thought they had scored again through Ruan Nortje, but the try was ruled out for a forward pass in the build-up.
BYRNE COMPLETES THE JOB
Leinster never allowed the Bulls to turn their brief period of pressure into a real comeback. Josh van der Flier, Joe McCarthy, Max Deegan and Garry Ringrose all made important contributions as the champions defended their lead. Luke McGrath entered the match in the closing stages for his final Leinster appearance, receiving a deserved ovation from the Croke Park crowd. Leinster finished the game in the right manner when Harry Byrne crossed after a long spell of pressure near the Bulls line. Byrne added the conversion himself to complete a 36–7 victory and seal another URC title.
The Verdict
Leinster were comfortably the better side on the night. The Bulls arrived with a powerful group of international players, but their discipline and errors gave Leinster opportunities that were taken well. Sam Prendergast was the standout performer and deservedly collected the Player of the Match award. His kicking, game management, attacking play and defensive work gave Leinster control, while Hugo Keenan, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Joe McCarthy and Max Deegan were also central to the win. The result was also a fitting way for a number of departing players to finish their Leinster careers. James Lowe, Luke McGrath, Jerry Cahir and Rieko Ioane all featured in the final, while Ciarán Frawley, Will Connors and Rabah Slimani are also among those leaving the province. Lowe leaves as Leinster’s record try-scorer and will be difficult to replace, while McGrath’s contribution over more than 250 appearances deserves huge recognition. Cahir’s rise from club rugby to starting a URC final was one of the more enjoyable stories of the season, while Ioane made a strong impact during his short spell with the province. With Leo Cullen remaining in charge, Leinster will have another season to build towards Europe while also defending their domestic title. The Champions Cup disappointment will still sting, but this performance was a reminder that Leinster remain one of the strongest sides in the competition.
Match Squads
Leinster:
15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jamie Osborne, 11. James Lowe, 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Jerry Cahir, 2. Ronan
Kelleher, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Max Deegan, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (C).
Replacements: 16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Alex Usanov, 18. Thomas Clarkson, 19. Diarmuid Mangan, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Harry Byrne, 23. Garry Ringrose.
Vodacom Bulls:
15. Willie le Roux, 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13. Canan Moodie, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Embrose Papier, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 3. Francois Klopper, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 5. Ruan Nortje, 6. Marcell Coetzee (C), 7. Elrigh Louw, 8. Cameron Hanekom.
Replacements: 16. Marco van Staden, 17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Cobus Wiese, 20. Jeandre Rudolph, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Stedman Gans, 23. Nizaam Carr.
Match Details
Referee: Andrea Piardi Venue: Croke Park, Dublin Attendance: 39,184 Half-Time Score: Leinster 22–0 Vodacom Bulls Full-Time Score: Leinster 36–7 Vodacom Bulls
Match Discipline & Scorers
Cards: Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls, yellow card, 2’); Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls, yellow card, 26’); James Lowe (Leinster, yellow card, 59’).
Scorers:
Leinster:
• Tries: O’Brien (6’), Ioane (16’), Conan (27’), Prendergast (46’), Byrne (77’) • Cons: Prendergast (7’, 27’, 47’), Byrne (78’) • Pens: Prendergast (32’)
Vodacom Bulls:
• Tries: Moodie (62’) • Cons: Pollard (63’) • Pens: None
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Sam Prendergast (Leinster)