Leinster withstand Ulster rally to extend winning start in URC

Leinster were forced to withstand a late Ulster rally as they maintained their unbeaten start to the season in Belfast.

Two tries in the opening 21 minutes from Ryan Baird and Dan Sheehan helped Leinster into a lead they would not relinquish, although they came under pressure late on as Ulster scored 10 unanswered points to set up a tense finish.

John Andrew scored the home side's only try off a driving maul while Jimmy O’Brien was in the sin bin, and although John Cooney made it a seven-point game with seven minutes remaining, Leinster had enough in the tank to close the game out.

Johnny Sexton enjoyed a 13-minute cameo off the bench but there were concerns for fellow Ireland international Jacob Stockdale, who limped off injured at half-time.

Ulster had lost just once at home in the BKT United Rugby Championship since April 2021 but a struggling set-piece hurt them at key moments.

Minutes after conceding the first of three scrum penalties, Ulster were hit with an early sucker punch when Leinster scored off their first visit to the home 22.

Ulster 0-7 Leinster 8' Leinster cross the try line with their first attack, working an overlap with Ryan Baird getting over in the corner. Ross Byrne converts