Leinster defy red card in stunning comeback v Ulster

For those who believe that red cards ruin games, this should be required viewing.

A top of the table Interpro, with both sides loaded with internationals, this lived up to the billing.

For the first hour, it felt like it would be a statement Ulster win. In the end, Leinster did the talking.

Leo Cullen's side looked doomed shortly before half time. They’d been reduced to 14 men after just 20 minutes when Cian Healy’s high tackle saw him clash heads with Ulster hooker Tom Stewart, and were hit for three tries in the next 15 minutes as Ulster stormed into a 22-3 lead.

Had it not been for Rónan Kelleher’s try right on half time, the comeback may not have materialised, but after cutting the gap to 12, Leinster still looked alive.

Garry Ringrose played a captain’s role, the centre scoring two tries in the space of three minutes to flip the game on its head just after the hour mark, while Ulster’s collapse saw their numerical advantage also wiped out with quick-fire yellow cards for James Hume and Nick Timoney seeing them reduced to 13 players.

As final quarter wore on, the league leaders found the best form of their season, with Andrew Porter and James Lowe landing two more blows to not only secure a bonus point, but also give the win a glossy finish, and send them nine points clear at the top of the BKT United Rugby Championship table.

Byrne and Cooney traded penalty kicks inside 10 minutes, the Leinster out-half slotting a long-range effort after Stuart McCloskey was penalised for not rolling away, before an infringement at the scrum allowed Cooney to make it 3-3.

The previous two meetings of these sides were dominated by the weather, and it looked like we were in for something similar as the rain poured down in Ballsbridge for much