Leinster edge past Connacht in Christmas cracker

A Christmas tale of two halves.

For a long time this BKT URC derby threatened to be a real turkey, but it ended up a cracker.

Leinster were 14-0 up at the break thanks to tries from young guns Andrew Osborne and Charlie Tector, while Connacht failed to trouble the league leaders, who have won all ten games this season.

The hosts grabbed the opening score of the second half but Connacht hit back with two tries through Oisin Dowling and Shane Jennings as a first away win against Leinster since 2021 looked on the cards.

But Leinster regained their composure to ensure their winning record remained intact. Leo Cullen's side again made a series of errors and the lineout was a mess at times but they will celebrate Christmas well clear of second-place Glasgow at the top of the table.

Pete Wilkins' Connacht, who face Ulster next Saturday, were worth at least a bonus point but Ross Byrne's late penalty denied them that consolation present. Next up for Leinster is a trip to Thomond Park where Munster await.

After a bright early exchange, with Connacht working their way to the Leinster 22, the game almost came to a standstill with set-pieces, free-kicks and penalties and the accompanying waiting times all that was on view for the 33,963 in attendance on a cold night in Dublin.

Even when the hosts won possession from the lineout, a huge issue last weekend against Clermont, and scrum, they too often coughed up the ball at the next phase.

When Bundee Aki turned RG Snyman over in front of the posts, Connacht partially cleared their lines and some rugby broke out.

Jordie Barrett, named man of the match, combined with Tector to make 30 yards before Josh Ioane was penalised for a high tackle on Gus McCarthy.

But the lineout penalty came to nothing