Pre-season wrap: Mixed results for provinces as new signings make first appearances

There were defeats for both Munster and Leinster across the weekend, while Connacht got their pre-season campaigns underway on Saturday with a comfortable win against the Sale Sharks in Galway.

For those three provinces it was a first game of the summer, with just three weeks to go until the start of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season, while Ulster host Benetton this Saturday in their pre-season opener.

Leinster were the first of the Irish sides in action over the weekend, with Leo Cullen bringing a squad of 31 players to last season's beaten Top14 finalists Bordeaux –Begles, going down 40-28 to the French side in an open game at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

With Joey Carbery making his debut for Bordeaux after his summer move from Munster, the hosts dominated the first half against a youthful Leinster selection, and Carbery kicked four conversions in the opening 40 minutes as his side raced out to a 28-7 lead, with Rob Rusell grabbing the only Leinster try.

Bordeaux increased that lead to 40-7 before the sides emptied benches, with new Leinster signing Rabah Slimani (below) among those who got his first minutes in a blue shirt.

The visitors did rally in the second half with tries for John McKee, Andrew Osborne and Gus McCarthy reducing the deficit to 12 points.

Leinster continue their pre-season campaign this Saturday, when they travel to the Premiership Champions Northampton Saints.

Munster were also beaten in their pre-season opener, with last year’s Premiership runners-up Bath producing a strong second half to defeat the province 24-21 at the Rec.

New signings Billy Burns, Tom Farrell, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Bryan Fitzgerald all featured for Munster, who host Gloucester in their second pre-season fixture this Friday in