Ulster make Leinster work for bonus win

Leinster 42 Ulster 13:Predictions of an Ulster capitulation at the RDS this evening proved unfounded, with the European champions a little flattered by the winning margin in a bonus-point victory that opened up six-point lead on Ospreys for the Pro 12 leaders.

Opting for five debutants in his side, Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin had prompted obituaries rather than previews for their Christmas interprovincial visit to Dublin, but he got the desired reaction in return, as the late gloss the hosts put on their win belied an uncomfortable evening.

Scores from Fionn Carr, Leo Auva’a, Seán Cronin, Ian Madigan and Jamie Hagan - as well as a penalty try, read well - but three of them came in the last 13 minutes. The result was even in doubt for a brief spell after Chris Cochrane crashed over for Ulster in the 48th minute and James McKinney converted to close the gap to eight.

The introduction of Rhys Ruddock for Damian Browne minutes later proved the catalyst for a more controlled game from Leinster, however, and they reasserted their dominance up front when Tom Court was introduced at tighthead for Ulster. That saw them awarded a penalty try before, Madigan ducked behind the cover to touch down under the posts and Hagan, on for Mike Ross, barrelled over.

Most of Ulster's starting line-up featured during the Ulster Ravens' run through to the British & Irish Cup quarter-final, while the men in blue boasted a far more settled side. With 10 Ireland internationals on board, Leinster were keen to use that experience to telling effect but Ulster enjoyed a positive opening spell.

Young backs Conor Gaston and Peter Nelson threatened before McKinney was narrowly wide with a ninth minute penalty attempt as rain began to fall.

Once the handling errors were cleared up, Leinster threatened at close quarters and out wide. Cian Healy was held up over the line after strong drives from Cronin and Devin Toner.

From the resulting five-metre scrum, Auva'a charged off the base but a combination of Ali Birch, McKinney and Nelson prevented him grounding the ball.

The try did come just moments later, Carr scooping up Madigan's quick pass out to the right and going over in the corner. Fergus McFadden followed up with an excellent conversion.

McFadden and Luke Fitzgerald soon sparked a fleet-footed raid through midfield and with the Ulster defence sucked in, Madigan's accurate pass gave Cronin an easy run-in on the left.

That converted try was swiftly replied to by McKinney's first successful penalty, punishing Carr for failing to release after the tackle.

Ulster enjoyed a decent spell coming up to the interval, with the lively Paul Marshall keeping his forwards on course. They ground out the hard yards for McKinney to slot a second three-pointer.

However, Leinster struck a psychological blow on the stroke of half-time. Having turned down a kickable penalty, a solid scrum allowed man of the match Auva'a to power past Robbie Diack and away for try number three.

McFadden's conversion pushed the lead out to 21-6, yet Ulster's response early in the second half yielded a deserved try - Cochrane sweeping through for the 48th minute score. McKinney's pass back inside invited the winger past two initial tackles and he showed admirable strength to reach the line despite the best efforts of Eoin Reddan and Fitzgerald.

McKinney added the extras and as confidence began to spread throughout the Ulster ranks, Michael Allen was only a pass away from putting full-back Nelson through for their second try.

Leinster rallied on the hour mark - the home side benefiting from a more direct approach - but McFadden's subsequent penalty attempt bounced away off a post.

Leinster's superiority in the set piece was all too obvious when Ulster collapsed a series of scrums near their line and referee Peter Fitzgibbon duly awarded a penalty try.

McFadden converted the bonus point score and split the posts again before Madigan and Hagan added their scores.