Burns kicking masterclass highlights gaps in Leinster's defensive approach

Billy Burns led Ulster to a monumental win against Leinster yesterday evening, to stop the league leaders from mustering their tenth win on the trot.

Burns used his kicking skills to manufacture a win for Ulster, in what has been a stop-start season for the northern province. This win means they're two from two in inter-provincial derbies, heading back in to Europe, after beating Racing 92 the last time out.

While all the talk has been around Jack Crowley and which of the Leinster out-halves could challenge his starting spot for Ireland, Burns flew in under the radar to orchestrate the perfect kicking game to justify Dan McFarland’s trust in him, with Jake Flannery breathing down his neck for his place in the team.

Leinster have always been an aggressive defensive team but they’ve taken that to another level with the recent coaching evolution. The Nienaber-led defensive structure almost dares teams to take the aerial route to breaking down their defence because there are many factors that can go wrong along the way.

Although the task of defending kicks is mainly covered by wingers and the full-back, Leinster’s system puts serious stress on those players to cover the amount of ground needed when their midfield are as aggressive in the front line.

It means that wingers often end up defending as far in as the first or second post, leaving an acre of grass for an opposition player to kick into.

That’s exactly what happened for Ulster’s second try after a break through the middle by Sean Reffell and Stuart McCloskey condensed Leinster’s defence.

Tommy O’ Brien had to push up and 'close the gate’ as it is described now. This means his aim is to read out the back of the forward players and stop the ball getting to the back with any